Chip Bell

Consultant, speaker, and author

Chip Bell has helped companies dramatically enhance their bottom lines and marketplace reputation through innovative customer-centric strategies. For the sixth year in a row, Global Gurus in 2020 ranked Bell as one of the top three keynote speakers in the world on customer service. He has authored 24 books; seven are international best sellers. His latest book, Inside Your Customer’s Imagination: 5 Secrets for Creating Breakthrough Products, Services, and Solutions (Berrett-Koehler, 2020), shows how co-creation partnerships enable you to tap into the treasure trove of ideas, ingenuity, and genius-in-the-raw within every customer.

Mon, 09/14/2009 - 04:50
Leadership Lessons From the President Who Most Prized Fun Leaders who use humor are more motivating than those who don’t
Tue, 07/28/2026 - 12:02
Theodore Roosevelt skinny-dipped in the Potomac River, owned a pet hyena, boxed in the White House, and reportedly drank a gallon of coffee a day (a legend that inspired Maxwell House to attribute the phrase “good to the last drop” to him). At his…
How to Give Advice That’s Valued It’s a bit like playing a pinball machine
Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:01
When Odysseus went off to fight the Trojan War, as reported by Homer in The Odyssey, he didn’t take along his wet-behind-the-ears son, who was destined to be heir to his throne. Concerned about who would give his son “kinging skills,” he chose an…
How to Tame a Customer Militant You can call me names but don’t criticize my mama
Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:03
Southern politicians often have a homespun way of making a point. A few years ago, a candidate for a small-town sheriff’s election was overheard saying, “Criticize my drawl, you make me laugh. Criticize my views, you make me listen. But criticize my…
Leading Service Magic in Today’s Challenging Times Affirmation, focus, and trust are the keys
Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:03
Delight your customer! Exceed your customers’ expectations! Provide value-added service! These have been mantras of customer service gurus for a long time. Such a focus on “giving more” has improved customer service quality in many organizations. It…
Four Ingredients in the Jack Daniel’s Leadership Recipe Visions only work if associates see them in their leaders’ actions
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:02
Walk the aisles of any liquor store in the U.S., and brands named after people call for your notice—Johnnie Walker, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, and Jim Beam. Perhaps the most revered name among them is Jack Daniel. Established in 1875, Jack Daniel’…
Keys to Managing a Customer Who Is Wrong How organizations can turn moments of conflict into lasting allegiance
Tue, 02/10/2026 - 12:02
The customer is not always right. We are all customers, and sometimes we’re dead wrong. Stew Leonard Jr., CEO of Stew Leonard’s grocery stores, enjoys saying, “The goal is to make the customer feel right.”  His sentiment means never dealing with a…
How to Get Your Employees to Love Your Brand 4 secrets leaders use to bolster brand loyalty by employees
Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:02
‘I don’t want my Dollar General store to look like a Dollar General store!” That was the owner’s assertive Sunday morning response to a sincere compliment on her immaculate, well-organized store. Her loud echo of pride stood in contrast to two other…
How to Manage Painful Customer Experiences Four approaches for conquering service gremlins
Thu, 11/13/2025 - 12:02
One hour after takeoff from London’s Heathrow Airport on an intercontinental flight to the U.S., the pilot announced the aircraft was returning, “because my windshield just shattered.” After gasps from passengers, he calmly announced there was no…
What Leaders Can Learn About Innovation From a Pistol Maker And other sharpshooters who stuck with it
Thu, 04/10/2025 - 00:02
Innovation is vital to the success of all businesses. Innovate or perish is the new mantra. Leaders must perpetually reinvent their processes, products, and services, because they typically have multiple competitors offering similar offerings. Only…
How Can You Make Your Customer Strategy Fun? Focus on customer fit, disciplined execution, and complete alignment
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:02
Is your organization about fun? How often do your customers giggle? How much of your business strategy is about funniness—not just entertainment, but customer experiences made joyful by design? What are your customers’ principal memories of their…