Anthony wrote a blog post earlier this year which he called The Disney Experience at Church. We discuss his five key observations:

1. Leverage the Web – User Testimonials
2. On-Site Arrival
   
3. Deliver What Your Selling
   
4. Consistent Impressions
   
5. Have a Heart
   

So, please take some time to listen to part one and then part two so you can implement some of the concepts Anthony shares so your church can generate a great experience for your visitors.

In this week’s Ministry Story church communications podcast, I talk with Anthony Coppedge, Director of Communications at Fellowship Technologies.  Anthony shares his recent Disney experiences and some powerful insights that church leaders can learn from Disney so they can develop an experience in their ministry that will powerfully connect with people coming to their church.

Listen to Ministry Story Podcast Episode #10 here…

His post certainly is timely on the heels of Earth Hour this past weekend. I know that most of the major cities here in Canada were active participants. Did you participate? My wife and I did, and it really was no inconvenience at all. In fact it allowed us the opportunity to tune out the busyness of life and the influence of technology on our lives for one hour. No lights, no TV, no Internet. It was quite nice indeed. As leaders, as business people, and as citizens who are becoming educated on the impact of our use and overuse of resources on this planet, it is indeed our responsibility to engage a new found level of eco-integrity when people are watching…and when they are not.

It is sad, but many companies have chosen to market themselves or their products with a green label to appeal to consumers who want to make a difference in their buying habits for the sake of the planet. Terachoice did a comprehensive study of products to determine their green integrity. The Vancouver Province reported on this study last week and published an article on Terachoice’s 6 Sins of Greenwashing.

It all comes down to integrity. And many choose to abuse the customer relationship with false truths. We must find ways to conserve our environment. Let’s just not jump on the bandwagon and be caught lacking. Destroying your “trust” relationship with a customer under any banner is never worth it. Once a customer discovers a lie they will never trust you again. The risk is just to great. Always err on the side of truth and integrity. The relationship will be much longer lasting and much more profitable.

One initial impression that disappointed me is Apple’s need to ship my entire order in multiple shipments. You see, I ordered 5 different items (wireless mouse, DVD drive, MS Office, the computer itself, and a backup drive).  Apple was providing free shipping, but they decided to ship each item on a different day over a 10 day period.  Hence, 5 boxes,  5 deliveries, and who knows how many gallons of gasoline to get my order to me.  In keeping with the theme of being environmentally friendly, this was totally unnecessary.  None of the components work without the main laptop (which was the last item shipped), so perhaps they should have asked a simple question during the order process…do you want your order shipped all together?  This could have saved some of the environment, and countless dollars on their distribution line.   

Now I realize distribution is a complex animal (and I being a marketer am not an authority on logistics), however, many companies in today’s business environment need to reassess this process…for the good of their bottom line and for the good of the environment. At least Apple managed to choose recyclable packaging and not a ton of Styrofoam! Welcome Apple! 

Marketing thought leader Seth Godin had a similar experience recently that he documents is a post titled Profligate. Either Seth and I are customers of the same chain of hotels…or this is becoming commonplace!

Companies need to be more in touch with where their customers are coming from. I am quite certain if a hotel chain like this one were to ask their customers if it made a difference walking into a completely lit room as opposed to them having to flick the switch upon entry, I think they would find most customers are willing to flip the switch. My guess is that the lights were on in my room needlessly for minimally 5 or more hours (since it was after 10pm at the time). I would say this was a needless waste.

It all comes back to communication – talk to your customers…they can tell you a lot…that will save you money, and at the same time allow you to be more environmentally friendly.