The Disney Difference : The Complete Guide to Adding Disney-Like Magic to Your Corporation or Organization

Transform Your Business or Nonprofit OrganizationThe Disney Difference is must-reading for fans of Disney or for anyone who wants to apply the lessons and magic of Walt Disney to their organization.

If you serve customers, charitable donors, or guests, this book will show you how you can give your best and give everyone a more magical experience.

“The Disney Difference is packed with enjoyable history about Walt Disney and his ‘world.’ But more than a fun Disney archive, Wayne Olson’s book emphasizes the importance of customer relations through the Disney lens. That’s why I recommend it. Dazzling customers with remarkable service. Yes!” — Dan T. Cathy, Chairman and CEO Chick-fil-A

“I’ve read lots of books about Disney, and this one is a gem. Read this for new insights and useful ideas.” — Mark Sanborn, The Fred Factor

“This is a wonderful book. It’s not only a tribute to Walt Disney and the philosophy that helped make Disneyland the showcase for an entire industry, but it details that philosophy beautifully and outlines how it can be applied to every business endeavor, large or small. Whatever Walt did he did from his heart. To see the things he believed in being interpreted and incorporated in so many areas of business would make him very proud. It is a must-read!" — Rolly Crump, Disney Imagineer

“Executives who strive for improvement look to the handful of organizations that excel decade after decade. Disney is one of these. Wayne Olson has done a masterful job of identifying the service-centric culture that is inherent to Disney’s success. Whether youhave customers, patients, donors, or constituents, I heartily recommend this book.” — Ron Klein, Inc. 500 Entrepreneur

“Wayne Olson has written a manual on how to move any organization from good to great to greater. Thisbook will help anyone in any organization to be a better manager and leader. Walt Disney was a master at attention to detail and was a great leader as well. Don’t read this book, study it and implement what you learn and your organization will create magic,too, in customer service and in bottom line results.” — Lee Cockerell, Former Executive Vice President Walt Disney World Resort, Author of Creating Magic, Time Management Magic, The Customer Rules, and Career Magic

“As the Founder of Famous Dave’s of America and winner of over 750 Best of Class awards, I eagerly devoured the insights of Wayne’s book, The Disney Difference. Wayne spills the beans on the Secret Sauce that has created Disney’s ‘special magic’ that has made the Disney brand Best of Class both stateside and globally. You can only make this happen when you focus on building great people both in your business and inyour community. I urge you to get this book NOW!” — Famous Dave Anderson, America’s Rib King and Founder, Famous Dave’s of America, Inc.

“Having spent an entire career in the theme park industry, I have always used Walt’s way to inspire staff,from front line to senior leadership. Walt was one of my mentors and I have always loved his attention todetail and exceeding the guest expectations. Wayne’s book captures the true spirit of the Disney way andI will use the book as a guide for my team.” — Thom Stork, President and CEO, The Florida Aquarium

“After building homes in Disney’s new town, Celebration, for more than 20 years, and learning the ‘Disney Way,’ I found this book captures the magic of creating a unique customer and donor experience!” —David Weekley, Founder David Weekley Homes

“A compelling story of relentless customer focus and incredible attention to detail that has set Disney apart from all others. It provides a roadmap on how to deliver the elevated customer experience.” — C. Richard Weylman, CSP, CPAE, Author of The Power of Why — Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace

Wayne Olson grew up in the shadow of Walt Disney World. A frequent visitor to the Magic Kingdom since 1971, Wayne stopped counting trips to the Magic Kingdom at 1,000. At the age of 16, Wayne began work in the operations department at Busch Gardens Tampa, where over the course of several seasons he was trained and operated almost every ride in the park, including the monorail, steam train, and jungle cruise. He is one of the first employees in park history to be promoted to a seasonal operations leadership position. Today, Wayne speaks on customer and donor relations all over the country and internationally. He is a frequent presenter at international conferences and has clients from Canada to Florida. Numerous organizations and corporations call on him as a keynote speaker and trainer each year. He also writes for a national publisher where his work is used by hundreds of charities in their websites, newsletters, and brochures. In 2014, Fundraising Success Magazine named him “Most Inspiring Speaker.” Wayne teaches nonprofit and for-profit corporations how to relate better to their donors, customers, and employees. He also trains boards on governance and sales, and teaches a course on sales and on nonprofit fundraising at the University of Alabama in Huntsville School of Professional and Continuing Studies. In addition to this book, Wayne is the author of Think Like a Donor and Big Gifts, Small Effort. Wayne also hosts a radio show, and regularly appears on podcasts and broadcasts presented by other organizations and experts. He is a former television producer and trial lawyer. Often, his advice includes counseling clients to be just a little more like Walt Disney. To invite Wayne to speak to your company, group, or organization, contact him at wayneolson.com or wayne@wayneolson.com. Wayne can be followed on twitter at @waynero.