HBR IdeaCast

Make Customers Happier with Operational Transparency

Mar 5, 2019
In this engaging discussion, Ryan Buell, an associate professor at Harvard Business School and author, brings to light the hidden costs of operational efficiency. He argues that customers are more satisfied when they have visibility into processes, drawing parallels between dining experiences and production transparency. Buell highlights examples like Domino's Pizza Tracker and Japanese bullet train services, showcasing how openness boosts trust and morale. He emphasizes that operational transparency can create value for both customers and employees, transforming perceptions and engagement.
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INSIGHT

The Importance of Visibility

  • Customers value services less when the work behind them is hidden.
  • Making business operations more visible can increase customer appreciation.
INSIGHT

Hidden Work

  • Hiding work behind efficiency and simplicity can decrease customer value.
  • Distance between customers and processes leads to less appreciation.
ANECDOTE

Farm to Table Disconnect

  • Kurt Nikish and Ryan Buell discuss the disconnect between consumers and food production.
  • Buell's farming background illustrates the unseen effort in agriculture.
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