In our last issue, Creating Castomer Magic™, VI I9, we discussed the concept castomers™ are customers too. In this issue we share one example of how Disney honors its castomers™ for their service. Disney loves celebrating castomer milestones. Annual plaques, statues, and pins are the norm. Special occasions and lifetime achievements are celebrated too.

In September 2014, I was treating some clients (Hamilton Health Care System) to dinner at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review at Disney's Fort Wilderness. It is, in my opinion, the best show at World and always a special treat. This night turned out to be extra special. There was a table of seven middle-aged people sitting right in front of us. One of them was wearing a Disney nametag and was obviously hosting the other six. The Hoop performers paid special attention to the group, so I knew something was going on. Days later, an article appeared in the local paper interviewing the same group after the show. It turned out that the Hoop had reached the milestone of 40 years of performances and that those six people were the original show performers. In this way, Disney celebrated both the show and the performers who made it happen first.

What about you and your organization? Do you remember your milestones? Do you celebrate the castomers who made those milestones happen? If not, why not? It's their legacy and your past. It's also an excellent way to remind your current team members how important they are to you, not just now, but 40 years from now.