Crafting Service Processes

Crafting Service Processes

As the title makes clear, this book is about the design and delivery of service experiences. This includes the design of installations, facilities, technologies and scripts used in the staging of such experiences. It introduces the reader to many fundamental notions in service operations, from positioning to execution, with much attention paid to human experiences such as those of customers and service workers; be they performing simple repetitive tasks or complex mental tasks. The subject is treated in an user-friendly manner with a storytelling context, focusing initially on every day services (coffee shops, fast food, supermarkets) and then moving on to complex services (lawyers, physicians, engineers, accountants). Contrary to popular hype, not all service experiences are meant to be memorable. If all you need is a cup of coffee and this is done quickly, effortlessly, and painlessly, that’s good. If there’s a little plus along the way, that’s better: you’ll make a mental note that this is a good place to stop next time you are in the area. In an age of exponential technological change, service delivery processes are changing quickly and service industries are being creatively destroyed. You want to be the disruptor, willing to disrupt a large part of your actual income streams. The ability to maintain differentiation rests largely on an in-depth understanding of the service experience and operational excellence. The future belongs to the fastest learner. Intuition is only part of the story.

Crafting Service Processes

Complex Service Delivery Processes

Different types of organizations provide services that require multiple, complex services to produce results. Oftentimes, those complex services morph into a maze of system processes that crisscross, impeding the smooth operation of processes and value creation. So how can you manage multiple services efficiently and effectively? This book outlines the strategy and execution needed to meet your goals. Numerous examples, exercises, and tools are included to help explain and clarify. The revised fourth edition includes a new focus on the impact of artificial intelligence in complex services, as well as links to video clips and podcasts. Professionals, semi-professionals, and technical workers in all areas, from law to medicine, accounting to engineering, social work to architecture, will find this book an invaluable tool in achieving success.