Most of us have been to Disneyworld or Disneyland, usually dragging an excited (then cranky) child or two in tow. We've probably been too tired, overwhelmed or just plain jaded to take in all the many, many details that make all things Disney a worldwide success. Next time you find yourself at one of the parks, though, take a moment to look around. What makes Disney great can work for your business, too.
        Here are the three lessons worth learning from Disney, no matter what your business might be:
        Remember that details matter -- Most people don't notice the character popcorn turners at the carts, or the Mickey Mouse manhole covers, or any of the other tiny, thematic details that can be found in every corner of the park. From a business perspective, they seem like a bad idea -- there's no ROI! Why not use that money for another ride or another big event? Simple -- because even when you don't know exactly what's special about Disneyland or Disney World, you sense that someone (or really, many someones) has put a great deal of thought into making your experience perfect. And that leads us to the next lesson...
        Put yourself in the shoes of your customer -- Know why the trash cans are 45 steps away from the concession stands at Disneyland? When Walt Disney ate a hot dog, he was able to walk 45 steps before he was finished. Don't assume you know what your customer needs -- really think about his or her business and the problems, obstacles and concerns he or she faces. Then, figure out how you can help.
        Make sure everyone -- from your employees to your customer -- is getting their needs met --                 There are dedicated Disney fans who go to the parks on a weekly, if not monthly, basis. There are plenty of reasons for this, but one of them has to be the positive interactions they have with the "cast members," or Disney employees. At Disney, everyone from the janitorial staff to the ride operators to the people in furry costumes has detailed rules to follow in order to make sure every attendee feels like a treasured guest. Plenty of companies demand their workers give service with a smile, but anyone who's ever had a bag of French fries shoved at them by a surly fast food employee knows that there's a big difference between saying the words and meaning them.
        Disney knows that, and makes sure that employees are not only well-compensated, but have ample perks. Disgruntled employees can do a great deal of damage to a business before they go, and while no company has a magic formula for making sure everyone is happy all the time, Disney has an impressively comprehensive approach to making their parks the Happiest Places on Earth.
        So next time you find yourself faced with a tough customer or a taxing job, go ahead and ask yourself, "What would Disney do?"

    Typos are everywhere. They're amazingly hard to catch, at least when they turn up in your own writing. Unfortunately, they're far easier for another reader to spot, and it turns out that they can be costly to your business. According to an article by the BBC, British online entrepreneur Charles Duncombe claims that a single error in website copy can cut online sales in half.
    Unfortunately, not every small business owner puts a premium on quality copy. If a picture is worth a thousand words, who cares about the text? But the truth is that no matter how glossy and professional the product shot, a bit of sloppy editing (or worse, poorly written copy) can diminish a brand.
    Lousy writing and typos are just part of the equation, of course. Weak design, pushy sales tactics and a host of other problems can send consumers scurrying away from your product instead of clamoring for it. Look for my upcoming blog in which I offer five tips on how to instantly improve your Web site with a minimum of time and expense -- stay tuned to this space!