Welcome to the 2nd blog in our Culture Hacker series for 2016. In this blog, I will discuss the importance of values and the fact that they are not some philosophical BS (which are the exact words I have heard used on more than one occasion). While they are dismissed by many managers, I am here [...]
Creating a meaningful and effective culture is not just an HR thing—it is a business thing that every manager needs to be involved in. Welcome to my Culture Hacker blog series for 2016! Each month I’ll share more insights into how you as a manager or executive can elevate or reprogram your company code to [...]
According to a 2014 Gartner survey, 89% of businesses will compete mainly on customer experience by 2016 versus 36% four years ago. So it would seem that most owners and managers are getting the message on the importance of customer experience to their brand’s future success. That’s the good news. The bad news is that [...]
There are two key elements to defining your culture; the values a person believes in and the behaviors a person should demonstrate. To define your culture with your team, you can brainstorm together. Provide your team with at least a week to think about the three most important qualities a person possesses or believes in [...]
When considering how to improve your customer’s experience, you have to focus on your place or environment, processes, and your people. You must have the procedures in place to ensure a consistent brand experience as defined by the way you enliven your customer’s senses, the way you deliver the experience on time and in the [...]
When I first began working for Williams-Sonoma in 2005, I knew I had found an amazing company with a strong culture. On the second day as Assistant Sales Manager I had a corporate visit. Brand new to the company, I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed when the Regional Manager and VP of Pottery Barn Kids [...]
What is luxury? When I worked for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, it was about perfectly scripted interactions, an unwavering focus on quality, and an opulent environment immaculately cleaned and maintained. While we were always focused on the guest, when it came to luxury, it was really all about the hotel—the product we showcased. As in [...]
Planning a wedding has uncovered some interesting learning points in terms of customer experience. As I get ready to head out of the office to my wedding in Utah and honeymoon in Southeast Asia, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on how what I’ve learned at SGEi has come to life in this process. I’ve [...]
Decades of research have brought attention to extrinsic motivation, or the carrot and stick model. We know if/then rewards will work for simple tasks when validation is offered for why the task is important and people are encouraged to complete the tasks in their own manner. However, we also know if/then rewards suppress creativity by [...]
Disney parks and resorts have set the stage for a global shift in customer experience. The reason why so many brands imitate their offerings and training program is because they have mastered the guest-facing environment and behaviors that drive engagement and loyalty. People want to be involved in something magical, which is why guests and [...]
