Knocking the socks off them! – Understand your customer and then continuously exceed their expectations
An interview with Chris Humphrey and Malcolm Ross
In this, the 40th episode of the Multi-Site Masters, we speak to two Walt Disney veterans who share how simplicity and intentional design of the organisation’s purpose lay at the heart of Disney’s enduring success and ability to ‘wow’ guests at their theme parks. During our discussions we’ll explore:
- Why having a focus on helping everyone to understand the customer is the foundation to the Disney theme parks purpose “to create happiness”
- How clarity and simplicity provides a platform to filter decisions and the behaviours of everyone tasked to deliver on the purpose
- The reason that it’s okay to be off task so long as you remain ‘on purpose’
Along with my MMU co-founder, Andy Bull, I’m joined in this episode by Chris Humphrey and Malcolm Ross, of the consultancy Pelorus Jack.
The second part of our discussion (episode 41) will follow in a few weeks and will delve into the details of how Disney directs its people to bring their purpose to life, through four quality standards, referred to as the Four Keys. Whilst waiting for the next episode to arrive, catch up on some more details regarding the Four Keys by reading Lee’s MMU blog on the 1st Key, “Safety” which was a summary of an excellent podcast series by Dan Cockerell, former VP of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Florida.
You can learn more about Pelorus Jack here at pelorusjack.co.uk and download their white paper “Culture by Design” written in collaboration with the Cranfield School of Management here
Guests & Hosts
Chris Humphrey has a customer strategy, marketing management, and customer experience background. He has particular expertise understanding customer needs, leading pricing, product, communication and distribution decisions, and helping to create exceptional end-to-end experiences everywhere customers interact with the brand. He spent 17 years with The Walt Disney Company, including directing Marketing and Customer Strategy for Disney Destinations, and representing Disney Institute in Europe, which uses Disney methodologies to help external organisations create sustained customer value. He spent 5 years in Paris and was involved in the reengineering of Disneyland Paris, including pricing, forecasting, segmentation, positioning, the name change, and the implementation of Disney’s Indiana Jones and Space Mountain attractions.
Guest: Chris Humphrey, Founder and Managing Partner, Pelorus Jack | Chris’ LinkedIn Profile
Contact Chris: chumph@virginmedia.com
Malcom Ross has extensive international expertise planning, opening and operating developments in the hospitality, entertainment and leisure sectors. He has led multiple service businesses including the Olympic Park Legacy Company for the 2012 London Olympics, Seven Tides Hotels in Dubai, and Le Meridien Hotels in Europe. Malcolm is one of a small number of executives worldwide who has had operational responsibility for The Walt Disney Company’s renowned Guest service, having led Walt Disney World’s 30,000 hotel rooms in Florida, Disney’s MGM Studios in Florida and launched and operated the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland Paris.
Guest: Malcolm Ross, Founder and Managing Partner, Pelorus Jack | Malcolm’s LinkedIn Profile
Contact Malcolm: mnross@btopenworld.com
Host: Andy Bull, founder of Salient Marketing and co-founder of Mastering Multi Units | @MMU_Global | Andy’s LinkedIn Profile
Contact Andy: andy.bull@salient-marketing.com
Host: Lee Sheldon, co-founder of Mastering Multi Units | @sheldious | Lee’s LinkedIn Profile
Contact Lee and his team: contactus@masteringmultiunits.com | @MMU_Global
Listen to the episode here:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:54 — 42.2MB)
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