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Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service
 
 
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Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service [Paperback]

Disney Institute (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 2, 2003

Whether they are called clients, customers, constituents, or, in Disney-speak, guests, all organizations must best serve the people who purchase their products and services or risk losing them. Now, for the first time, one critical element of the methods behind the magic that is the Walt Disney World Resort-quality service-is revealed in Be Our Guest. Even before Tom Peters and Bob Waterman profiled Walt Disney World Resort in their groundbreaking book In Search of Excellence, the most popular resort destination in the world enjoyed a reputation as a company that sets the benchmark for best business practices. Be Our Guest outlines proven Disney principles and processes for helping your organization focus its vision and align its people and infrastructure into a cohesive strategy that delivers on the promise of exceptional customer service.


Frequently Bought Together

Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service + The Disney Way, Revised Edition: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company + Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney
Price For All Three: $39.55

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  • The Disney Way, Revised Edition: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company $11.62

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Disney Editions (June 2, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0786853948
  • ISBN-13: 978-0786853946
  • Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

THEODORE KINNI is a business writer and editor. He has written, ghostwritten, or edited 20 business books on topics including: sales, marketing, customer experience, customer service and retention, personal accountability, leadership, human capital, and manufacturing. His books, including those written for clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Booz & Company, Prime Resource Group, LIF Group, and IMPAQ, Inc., have sold over 300,000 copies.

Ted ghostwrites and edits white papers and articles for the client-facing teams of global consulting firms, such as IBM and Booz & Company. His corporate work covers a broad range of thought leadership on topics such as healthcare reform, sustainability, and marketing, and on industries such as oil and gas, airlines, retail, etc.

Ted is a senior editor for strategy+business magazine, writing and editing articles, interviews, book reviews, and special sections, such as the award-winning annual Best Business Books section. He has been a contributing editor for IndustryWeek, Quality Digest, and Workforce Training News. His articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of business periodicals, including Harvard Management Update, The Conference Board Review, Training, and Selling Power.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I highly recommend this easy-reading book for three reasons. First, it helped me understand and appreciate how Disney continues to deliver the highest quality products and services year-in and year-out. Secondly, it clearly described many proven ways and concepts to improve my organization's customer service. Lastly, this book gave me a lot of practical lessons that can and should be adapted to fit into most management or leadership situations.

I read a couple of outstanding books by Disney-outsiders ("Built to Last" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, and "The Disney Way" by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson) about how and why they were so impressed with Disney. I wanted to read a book about a Disney-insider's perspectives on what Disney does to impress everyone and exceed all expectations. This book showed me the "what" of Disney's practical magic of customer service: a full-time business of shared values, enforced standards, focused work, self-discipline, and attention to detail that is virtually transparent to all Disney guests. I got all that I wanted and more from this outstanding book.

After I finished reading this book, I read through my highlights and realized that the following paragraph from the introduction perfectly previewed the book:

"In this book, we take you behind the scenes to discover Disney best practices and philosophies in action. We provide you with an insider's glimpse of quality service principles in action both at Walt Disney World, as told from the perspectives of cast members [Disney-speak for "employees"], and in other organizations, as told by executives who have participated in Disney Institute programs. Walt Disney's fundamentals for success still ring true. You build the best product you can. You give people effective training to support the delivery of exceptional service. You learn from your experiences. And you celebrate success. You never stop growing. You never stop believing."

Sharing the secrets behind Disney's `practical magic' in this book is yet another example of Disney's commitment to exceptional guest [Disney-speak for "customer"] service. Read this book and enjoy being Disney's guest.

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I read the book for the first time last summer and implemented its customer service methods this fall and winter at the school where I work. The results were immediate and outstanding. I have just re-read the book and am more convinced than ever that the Disney methods and philosophy for creating "practical magic" as outlined in this book are the fastest, easiest way to WOWING those we serve. Through careful, thoughtful management of the "cast" (people), setting, and processes, a seamless and deeply impressive service experience will be enjoyed by our customers. Yes, the book is a big "ad" for the Disney Institute (and now I want to train there!), but it is also a simple, brief, easy to implement framework for delighting our customers. I am grateful to the Disney Institute for sharing these tried and true ideas with me!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
The Science Behind the Magic November 22, 2004
Format:Paperback
This book is a quick read, yet has a very detailed and adaptable structure around which to build a customer service organization. The process presented in the book works systematically to create a self-renewing customer service structure, while allowing those using it to retain the distinctiveness of their organization. In addition to historic examples of how Disney has consistently applied their own principles, the book uses examples from former clients, including details of how they adapted those principles to their businesses.

This is the perfect book for someone looking to create more than just a laundry list of policies and procedures. For fans of Disney, the book also gives terrific insights into Walt Disney's vision and the Disney way of doing things.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Next best thing to being there
There are many things that are remarkable about the Walt Disney Company. One is that they are willing to share their secrets. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Hurlbert
Inspirational and Practical
Our marketing and advancement team is using this book to further the ideals of our school. We found it both helpful and inspiring.
Published 8 months ago by Sr. Susan Louise
Customer Service in 3D
There are several things that makes "Be Our Guest" an excellent book for improving customer service & satisfaction.

>One is that it isn't just theory. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Larry Boy
Very well written and valuable insights
This is a good description of the Disney methods for maintaining quality service. I have applied some if it's ideas to my own business.
Published 12 months ago by Ron
Put us to the test
Disney-the inventors of guestology. Well written, Can be adapted to any organization that deals with public. Worth the money and time invested.
Published 16 months ago by W. Craig Draffin Jr.
Great Book on Customer Service
Disney is the expert in customer service. Here are some of their SOPs plus a look at some of the philosophy of their business.
Published 16 months ago by Pastor
The Wow Factor
I worked for a company that followed the Be Our Guest philosophy years ago and enjoyed the focus on perfecting customer service. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Jaimie Yerina
Be Our Guest Delivers!
Be Our Guest is a revealing and compelling look "behind the scenes" of Disney's all-encompassing plan for guest services. Read more
Published on February 12, 2010 by Russell Douthitt
Be Our Guest
This is an excellent book on customer service. I attended the Disney Keys seminar and immediately ordered the book when we finished.

Cam McKinley
Published on May 26, 2009 by CAMILLE L. MCKINLEY
Be Our Guest Review
This book was great on both the aspect of what customer service can be like and how that will affect your bottom line but also gives small insights to how the Disney corporation... Read more
Published on April 9, 2009 by James Davis
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Walt Disney harnessed the talents of his "cast members" and inspired their hearts with his vision to create unparalleled entertainment experiences. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
combustion statements, three delivery systems, service theme, guest flow, new cast members, combustion points, guest experience, performance tips
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Walt Disney World, Quality Service, Disney Institute, Michael Eisner, Magic Kingdom, Integration Matrix, Main Street, Snow White, United States, Disney University, East Jefferson, Fourways Crossing, End Notes, Harvard Business Review, Mickey Mouse, South Africa, Disney Editions, Richard Schickel's The Disney Version, Disney Kingdom Editions, Famous Quotes, New Beetle, Grand Floridian, Tony Baxter, Academy Awards, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
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