Inc.com
According to this Inc. article, "How to 'Kaleidoscope' Your Customers (by Providing Innovative Service That Sparkles)," innovative service can trump generous service. This is good news because it means that an organization doesn't necessarily have to spend a lot of extra money or offer massive upgrades in order to provide extraordinary service. In fact, the key to a great service experience is offering unique value as opposed to simply adding more value.
The author goes on to use a kaleidoscope to illustrate this point. Unlike binoculars or microscopes, which simply enlarge or amplify, a kaleidoscope enriches and entertains.
Essentially, instead of focusing on what you can add to the service experience, focus on enhancing it to make it more unique and memorable.
This idea sums up what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts strives to achieve daily in as many Guest interactions as possible. We know that delivering such innovative "kaleidoscope" moments requires intentionally managing the customer experience beyond the obvious touchpoints.
Thriving on creativity, our Cast Members have devised numerous ways to offer unique value that delights our Guests and leaves a lasting impression, while prompting them to share their experiences with others.
Here are a few examples of small, unexpected surprises that can translate into exceptional service experiences for our Guests:
Pixie Dust: "Close your eyes, make a wish, and with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust may all your wishes and dreams come true." That's the special phrase you may hear as a merchandise Cast Member sprinkles pixie-dust over a Guest entering one of our retail locations. Yes, it's a small act, but it represents so much more. Being "pixie-dusted" creates a magical moment that can transform a typical shopping experience into a cherished memory.
Bell Ringer: Every day at noon, a Guest is chosen to ring the lunch bell at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café - one of our quick-service dining locations in Magic Kingdom Park. With the clang of the bell and the aid of fellow Cast Members, the bell ringer is encouraged to call out to passersby, "It's time for lunch! Come in and eat!" Again, this simple touch provides a unique experience for the bell ringer as well as for fellow diners and those who thought they were just passing by.
Celebration Buttons: We know our Guests love to celebrate, and one of the ways we help them do that is with celebration buttons. Providing a unique opportunity to connect on an individual basis, celebration buttons send a visual cue that a Guest is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or their first visit to our parks and resorts, creating numerous chances for fun, spontaneous interactions with Cast Members and other Guests.
While kaleidoscope moments like these may occur organically, you may also be risking that nothing happens at all. Boring! Far better to be as intentional as possible and to look for opportunities to deliver something unique for your customers at each step in your service experience.
Want to learn more? Consider enrolling in our Disney's Approach to Quality Service coarse. At Disney Institute, we teach business professionals and other organizations how to transform the way they approach delivering quality service. Available in one-day and three-and-a-half-day formats at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Think about it: Where in your service experience can you create simple, unexpected surprises for your customers?
For more information, visit DisneyInstitute.com.
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