Ritz-Carlton

Gold Standards of
Customer Service
Pattie Griffin, RTSBA
Director of Human Resources
San Angelo ISD
(325) 947-3838 x783
pattie.griffin@saisd.org
Our conversation today

A recent experience
 The Ritz-Carlton Model
 12 Service Values
 What are we going to do differently tomorrow?
My recent experience…

Our first impression was a very

warm and sincere greeting
from the valet attendants.

…and valet parking was

complimentary.
The artwork and
décor was lovely,
and the facility had
uncompromising
levels of cleanliness.
Chef Nathan at The
Bistro, served delicious
breakfast and lunch, and
delivered an exceptional
dining experience.
Harold made the
best white
chocolate mocha,
and served it with
a warm and
sincere greeting.

Joyce and Jennifer

were the most
accommodating
concierge
coordinators and
called us by name.
Cory Countryman,
Chief Executive Officer

The leadership
walks its talk and
enlivens the
culture.
 Celina, Bistro Cashier
Carmen, Surgical Services
Brandy, RN (surgical prep)

Scott, Surgical Services Director Laura, Nursing Student

Amy, O.R. Buyer Monica, RN
Carmen, Surgical Services Lottie, RN
All employees are trained to
provide six WE CARE steps for
communication and interactions
with patients:
• Warm welcome and
personalized greeting
• Empathize
• Communicate and connect
• Address the patient’s concerns,
questions and needs, both
expressed and unexpressed
• Resolve and reassure
• End with a fond farewell
Human beings taking care of
other human beings.
Definitions
 Credo – philosophy, doctrine, formula of belief
 Motto – a sentence, phrase, or word expressing
the spirit, purpose, or guiding principle of an
organization, and often inscribed on a badge,
banner, etc.
 Service – an act of helpful activity
 Basics- something that is fundamental; an
essential ingredient, principle, or procedure
The Ritz-Carlton Credo
 TheRitz-Carlton is a place where the genuine
care and comfort of our guests is our highest
mission.
 We pledge to provide the best service and
facilities for our guests who will always enjoy a
warm, relaxed yet refined ambience.
 The Ritz-Carlton experience enlivens the senses,
instills well-being, and fulfills even the
unexpressed wishes and needs of our guests.
 The Ritz-Carlton
Motto

We are
Ladies and Gentlemen
serving
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Practice teamwork and lateral service

to create a positive work environment.
Three Steps of Service
1. A warm and sincere greeting – use the guest’s
name
--No one ever heard a better word spoken than their own
name.
2. Anticipation and compliance with guest needs
--Room attendant sees the champagne is in a container
with mostly melted ice and immediately returns with ice
3. Fond farewell – give guests a warm good-bye and
use their names
The Ritz-Carlton Basics

GROUP ACTIVITY

Study 1 of the 19 Basics and share how you

currently practice it or will implement it
in your office or organization.
12 Service Values
 Readthe list and where it says ‘Ritz-Carlton’
change that to your department or district.
 Changethe word ‘guest’ to employee, applicant,
student, parent, or volunteer.
 The list of 12 starts with a declaration of the
corporate (district) mindset that you (the
employee) are proud TO BE Ritz-Carlton (insert
district or department name).
 The brand, the experience, IS YOU!
12 Service Values
1. I build strong relationships and create Ritz-Carlton
guests for life.
2. I am always responsive to the expressed and
unexpressed wishes and needs of our guests.
3. I am empowered to create unique, memorable and
personal experiences for our guests.
4. I understand my role in achieving the Key Success
Factors, embracing Community Footprints and
creating The Ritz-Carlton Mystique.
12 Service Values

5. I continuously seek opportunities to innovate and

improve The Ritz-Carlton experience.
6. I own and immediately resolve guest problems.
7. I create a work environment of teamwork and
lateral service so that the needs of our guests and
each other are met.
8. I have the opportunity to continuously learn and
grow.
12 Service Values

9. I am involved in the planning of the work that

affects me.
10. I am proud of my professional appearance,
language and behavior.
11. I protect the privacy and security of our guests,
my fellow employees and the company’s
confidential information and assets.
12. I am responsible for uncompromising levels of
cleanliness and creating a safe and accident-
free environment.
12 Service Values
 These are reviewed continually.
 It’s not enough to have an orientation meeting, give
the employee the manual, and think the job is done.
 Daily focus is paid to one of these service values.
 Without this the Ritz-Carlton is just another luxury
brand chain, defining itself by the facilities, the
amenities, the plushness of the bed.
 Years ago the decision was made to OWN the niche of
GUEST SERVICE, and to have their brand defined by
that. All else will follow.
12 Service Values
 The Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton live the
Service Values.
A commonly used phrase is: “That’s not Ritz-Carlton.”
This is not used to police colleagues. Rather it’s used to
invoke a common goal of upholding a culture that is
maintained, preserved and enlivened by every employee.
 When we have a well-articulated culture that is
enlivened, we will find more clarity and unity within our
organization, and we will set ourselves up for greater
success.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
“Your culture must be enlivened every day. It’s not
enough to talk about your organizational culture…”
Diana Oreck, Vice President
The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

 We must find a way for our culture to go from

employees’ heads to their hearts.
 When employees internalize the culture they then
“live” the culture consistently.
 We know we have a timeless culture when the
leader moves on, but the culture lives on.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
1) Is our culture visible?
 At The Ritz-Carlton, every employee has a Credo Card that includes:
 The Credo
 The Motto
 The Employee Promise
 Three Steps of Service
 The Service Values
 The Pyramid with the Key Success Factors, Mission and Vision of
The Ritz-Carlton
 Posters of the Motto, Credo, and Employee Promise are posted at
every hotel.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

2) When are new employees introduced to our

culture?
 New employees at The Ritz-Carlton learn about the
mission, vision and values throughout orientation.
 They’re given Credo cards on the first day and are
asked to memorize the Credo.
 On the third day of orientation, new employees are
asked to recite the Credo in front of the group.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
3) Do our employees talk about we or us vs. them?
 Do our employees feel like administrators and the front line
are working together to fulfill our mission?
 Or do our employees feel a disconnect?
 2 Service Values that foster a collaborative atmosphere:
1. “I am involved in the planning of the work that affects
me.”
2. “I create a work environment of teamwork and lateral
service so that the needs of our guests and each other
are met.”
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

4) Do employees understand their role in upholding

our culture?
 The Service Values at The Ritz-Carlton establish
accountability because they all start with “I.”
 The Service Values carefully and concisely spell out
each person’s role in enlivening and living the culture
of The Ritz-Carlton.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
5) Are our employees engaged?
 The Ritz-Carlton not only measures employee
engagement, but also conducts follow-up meetings to
ensure that any shortcomings are being addressed.
 When employees see that their feedback results in
improvements, they feel valued.
 This makes employees more vested in our organization
and more committed to upholding our culture.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
6) Is leadership walking its talk?
 One of the primary ways that The Ritz-Carlton
enlivens its culture is through a morning meeting
called Daily Line-up.
 This meeting happens at every Ritz-Carlton around
the world.
 All leaders, including Hervé Humler, the President
and Chief Operations Officer at The Ritz-Carlton
participate in this daily meeting.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
7) Do employees know the difference between their
function and their purpose?
 The Ladies and Gentlemen - the employees of The
Ritz-Carlton - understand that their highest mission is
the “genuine care and comfort of our guests.”
 Their job function may be bellman, desk clerk, or
housekeeper, but their purpose is to provide
legendary service.
 Having a common purpose unifies our team and
strengthens our culture.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

8) Does management create strategic plans without

employee input?
 Each year, The Ritz-Carlton creates a SWOT (Strengths,
Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats) that feeds into the
strategic plans.
 The Ladies and Gentlemen all participate in this SWOT
process.
 This collaboration reinforces that we are all responsible for
the maintenance and development of The Ritz-Carlton.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
9) When creating long-term plans, does our
organizational culture impact decisions?
 When The Ritz-Carlton develops long-term plans, the
Key Success Factors (the five goals that they focus on to
support their culture and brand) guide the decision-
making process.
 The Ladies and Gentlemen are encouraged to weigh
every decision against the Key Success Factors to ensure
that the organization remains true to its mission.
From The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
10) When we open a new school or department, how is our
culture being shared at the new location?
 When The Ritz-Carlton opens a new hotel, Hervé Humler, the
President and COO at The Ritz-Carlton, or Bob Kharazmi,
Global Officer, Worldwide Operations at The Ritz-Carlton
Hotel Company, LLC fly to the new hotel and introduce the
culture to the new employees.
 They believe that the best way to maintain a strong culture is
to have the founders share the inspiration and impetus
behind the culture.
What will we do
differently tomorrow?
Ritz-Carlton
Gold Standards of
Customer Service
Pattie Griffin, RTSBA
Director of Human Resources
San Angelo ISD
(325) 947-3838 x783
pattie.griffin@saisd.org