Customer Reviews

The Napkin The Melon & The Monkey: How to Be Happy and Successful by Simply Changing Your Mind

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4 star:		(1)
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For anyone who has ever had a job where you have to deal with customers then you will relate to the everything in this book. Barbara Burke is an internationally known consultant, speaker, and author who specializes in the "people side" of customer service management. In the Napkin, the Melon & the Monkey, Barbara shares her tips for how to deal with customer service situations without losing your cool.

Here are just a few of Barbara's helpful tips:

AHA! #1 - I will always have problems

AHA! #2 - It's not about me

AHA! #3 - Problems can be gifts in disguise

AHA! #4 -Just sit there. Do Nothing

AHA! #5- There is no such thing as a difficult situation

AHA! #6- When all else fails, have a SODA (Stop, Observe, Decide, and Act)

AHA! #7 - Withholding judgment allows me to observe what is

AHA! #8 - The nicer I am to myself, the nicer I am to others

AHA! #9 - A simple apology works wonders

AHA! # 10 - The less I talk, the more I learn


I liked this book. I have been in the business of customer service since I started working my first official job when I was sixteen. All in different forms of customer service from ...retail to phone. There have been many times when I would go home stressed out and take it out on my husband and not meaning too. I would try taking bathes, reading or watching television to calm down and sometimes it would help for a little while and then I would get that one really challenging phone call or customer and I would lose it again.

Barbara presents how to apply her tips by writing a story about Isabel. Isabel is a mother and she owes for a electric company. Isabel loves helping people but try as she may; she ends up yelling at the customer every time they yell at her. Isabel asks her mentor Olivia how she stays so clam and cool headed. Olivia applies the tips Barbara shares in the Napkin, the Melon & the Monkey. Soon Isabel is loving her job and so can you with this handy book.

In many ways this book has saved and continues to save my life. While that may seem to be a dramatic statement, anyone in the field of customer service can tell you dealing with angry, irate, frustrated customers can take a serious toll on one's spirit. Ms. Burke teaches us we can turn any situation around simply by changing our approach. She reminds us to put people first, both ourselves AND our customers. If we do this, everything falls into place. Her fable reinforces the concept that we are all responsible for our own destiny. Through a series of AHA! moments we are empowered to handle any situation. If you are in the field of Customer Service, I strongly recommend keeping a copy of this book at home, in your office, car, wherever.

If customer service brings you more frustration than satisfaction, then buy The Napkin The Melon & The Monkey. This quick, fun-to-read parable is packed with practical wisdom for dealing with difficult people and everyday stress. Author and customer service specialist Barbara Burke reveals, with gifted storytelling, how we often get in our own way and how we can fix that with simple attitude adjustments. As a self-improvement seeker and occasional difficult customer, I highly recommend this book for everyone because afterall, at the end of the day, we're all in customer service.

Not too long. Not too short. Simply an AWESOME read. Since the book is broken down into numerous "Aha!" moments (tidbits on how to handle different situations - and stories to go along with the taglines), it is very easy to follow. You'll find you can easily to relate to the fictional characters in the book, whether you're a part of a customer service team or frankly, just a self-proclaimed Joe-schmo looking for some enlightenment.

We all need reminded of the simple lessons in life. This book is a manual for those life lessons that will remain valuable to you for as long as you live.

This is a great little book, packed with wisdom. It's a very easy read with practical advice for getting along with others, learning to let go and just making life easier all around. It's not just for people who work in customer service - it works for anyone in all walks of life - basically if you deal with other people you will benefit from this book.

When I first paged through this book, I knew it was something very, very special.

Although it is an excellent book for the workplace, it is equally valuable for anyone, any place and any time.

It is a classic.

The wisdom is profound. The truth is the truth, no matter where you find it. And you will find plenty of it in this beautifully packaged little hardcover book.

My favorite Aha! is # 8 - which states "The nicer I am to myself, the nicer I am to others." As a lifelong student of psychology and a former psychotherapist and psychology teacher, I must say this is where it all begins....and ends. Now, words are words, but stories can compel and change and illustrate. And the story in the Napkin, the Melon, and the Monkey is powerful and impactful.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. And then just sit there, do nothing and have a SODA (stop, observe, decide and act).

I loved the book. It is more life-focused than call center driven. It would be applicable to anyone in all walks of life. I plan to share it with my staff. I would highly recommend this book!

I am always looking for inspiring customer service books. I read the reviews of this oddly titled book and decided to buy it. Imagine my surprise when I read the book...and it was about employees at a utility...which is where I work too! It was a quick read and an inspiration to ANYONE that loves customer service even when it beats you down. It is a must share with the office.

wonderful book - teaches you to relax and helps you learn what's important. i totally recommend it :)

One of the best books I've read in along time - this one reached just what I was looking for - nothing like a bit of SODA to keep you on track!