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

Theodore Kinni (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 2, 2003 | Grade Level: Preschool and up

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions (June 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786853948
• ISBN-13: 978-0786853946
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,449 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book About Disney, By Disney October 15, 2002

By Matthew Dodd

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Outline for Delivering Amazing Service March 10, 2002

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science Behind the Magic November 22, 2004

By J. Dopico

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.