Jackpot! Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty

Book Description

The inside story of the gaming company that hit the jackpot playing by its own rules
Robert L. Shook, a New York Times bestselling author, delves into the business behind one of the world's foremost gaming and entertainment companies, Harrah's. Since Bill Harrah took over a small card game business in 1937, Harrah's has become a top casino, dominating Nevada and beyond. The first gaming company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Harrah's is a $4 billion-dollar business driven by smart marketing and smarter leadership. This book is the first to examine Harrah's and its leader, a man who dominated an industry and amassed a staggering fortune while refusing to deal with mobsters and corrupt politicians. Though Bill Harrah died in 1978 and the company has since been sold, Harrah's has retained its sense of history and remained an industry leader. Following the company's growth, Shook uncovers rich business lessons about marketing and customer loyalty, increasing market share in fiercely competitive industries, and maintaining a sense of integrity in a cutthroat business world. This is a compelling and intriguing story of a company that gambled and won, and it offers business readers an opportunity to benefit from the hard-won lessons of a paragon of the entertainment industry.
Robert L. Shook (Columbus, OH) is a seasoned business journalist and the ghostwriter behind several New York Times bestsellers. He is the founder and former CEO of Shook Associates and the American Executive Life Insurance Company. He is the author or coauthor of thirty-five books, including The IBM Way, Mary Kay on People Management, and Mary Kay's You Can Have It All.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and easy read on Harrah's and the industry!.......2006-11-29

This book tells in an easy, readable fashion the story of Harrah's from the humble beginnings of a small parlor in Reno to the multibillion dollar behemoth it is today. Although the primary focus is on Harrah's, of course, the book covers the growth of the industry in the US overall from the early days, through the mob years in Vegas and the entertainment explosion that happened, to the proliferation of boats, reservation gambling and other gambling alternatives such as the lotteries through many US states.

This is a great book to read for reminders on the basics of "getting it right" when it comes to customer service, treating employees right, thinking strategically and executing on a vision. It is amazing what Harrah's has done in the area of parlaying customer information into long term, profitable relationships!

I have read many business books, this is my most favorite in recent months, for sure.

Read on, and watch out for that river card :)

Motivate yourself.......2003-02-08

Great book -- the lessons taught are for all service based organizations. Learn how to create customer loyalty and enjoy your business more. Must read!!

best marketing book I ever read.......2003-01-16

I have read other books by Robert L. Shook, and he is an accomplished writer of business books. He's at his best with Jackpot. This book is both informative and entertaining. Shook takes his reader behind the scenes at Harrah's, a gaming company with 26 casinos and reveals how the company is able to compete so successfully against billion-dollar properties in the Las Vegas market. Harrah's secret, as the subtitle states is how it wins customer loyalty and does it better than its competition. This is an excellent book for any business reader engaged in a highly competitive industry, and, in particular, goes head to head with the big boys. Shook's writing style is superb--he interwines anecdotal material that makes for a fascnating read. True, this is a business book, but at times, it's such a page-turner, you feel you're reading a novel.

This book is a "winner!".......2003-01-14

This book is about an outstanding culture that is culminated from the founder's passion, integrity and leadership.

Jackpot provides cutting-edge lessons and ideas that are being exposed for the first time in topics such as: marketing and customer loyalty, building market share, and preserving high integrity.

Harrah's placed its chips on integrity and serving the customer. It's no wonder they are so successful.

"very FUNNY book".......2003-01-08

This book is a riot! I could not put it down. One of the funniest books on gambling I have ever read.(and I've read 100 books on Vegas/Gambling.Go straight to page 43 first- "there is no underworld presence today in Las Vegas"- this author really knows how to write satire.The book is just filled with one funny story after another about how everything now in gambling is on the up & up.Robert Shook is more humerous than that Connecticut Senator whose trying to protect children from the entertainment industry.Another fun thing to do with his book- circle the word "lawyer" and then underline all the Federal & State laws that his book exposes.God Bless America! We should all feel blessed to have a comedy writer like Robert.

D.Matthew Hayden
author
Vegas Stories

1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets (1000 Best)
Average customer rating:

simple to read and understand

As Good As It Gets

1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets (1000 Best)
Bill Burton
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Guerrilla Gambling

ASIN: 1402205155

Book Description

1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets is a must-have addition to any gambler's bookshelf-from a novice to the experienced player. Author Bill Burton, experienced gambler and the Casino Gambling Guide for About.com, provides readers with tons of how-to tips and game strategies to help them come out on top.

From odds, probabilities and house edge to casino etiquette and tipping, 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets helps readers feel at home in any casino.

1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets includes information on:

--Odds

--Blackjack

--Poker

--Craps

--Texas Hold'em

--Roulette

--Slots

--Live and Video Keno

--Video Poker

--And much more!

For anyone looking for an extra edge to improve their game or just the basic knowledge to play the games, 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets guarantees a fun night out at any casino.

Customer Reviews:

simple to read and understand.......2006-03-23

for an absolute beginner or for a seasoned gambler, this book is easy to understand and is full of useful tips. the book is written in a numbered order 1 - 1000, with the tips broken down into chapters or sections pertaining to each facet of the gaming industry. I found myself reading this book two times over trying to remember as many tips as I could. A must for any first time casino tripper!

As Good As It Gets.......2006-02-19

Bought this book on the recommendation of Frank Schoebete (not sure this is the correct spelling of his last name), who is a gambling authority who said in his online newsletter column that this was one of, if not the only such type book he would recommend.

Average customer rating:

Secrets of Casino Marketing
...
Learn the secrets of successful casino marketing

Secrets of Casino Marketing
John Romero , and Emily Harrow
Manufacturer: American Eagle Arts & Letters
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Casino Marketing
Casino Operations Management
Jackpot! Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty
The Gaming Industry: Introduction and Perspectives
Slot Operations the Myth and the Math

ASIN: 0964241412

Book Description

The gaming industry's established marketing guru reveals the persuasive sales tactics he uses to find players and keep them coming back INSIDE FLAP: When a casino client told John Romero he had to get a mailing out at once and could he please have a 2-page sales letter back the same day, John e-mailed it to him three hours later--with a bill. "Tell me the truth," said the client the following day, "just how long did it take you to write that?" "Thirty five years," said John. Although 1998 marks John's 38th year in the casino business, he's been an award-winning writer since the 50's, when he was a newspaper editor and columnist. Fighting daily deadlines taught him to write quickly--and accurately--with a witty, persuasive style that has been on display for 13 years in IGWB Magazine. He's famous for his casino sales letters that occasionally run up to four pages in length and for his long copy direct response ads that have become sales classics (one ran for five years, pulling in a steady stream of business). Early in his gaming career he began to haunt the casino floor, learning what went on in the minds of the customers--a practice he still continues. As a result, he understands both casino and player as few marketing and advertising specialists do. Profound change overtook him when he discovered the power of direct mail in the 60's. "Clearly," says John, "this was the selling strategy of the future for casinos." But in 1985, when he began his column in IGWB, he couldn't find a single casino with a direct marketing department. He promptly set out to remedy that. By the early 90's, prodded by John's relentless logic and common sense essays, casinos had begun an amazing shift from the old mass marketing to direct selling. His first book, "Casino Marketing," published in 1994, pushed it along by establishing the power of casino databases to build relationships and repeat business and by proving the selling ability of direct response advertising. In Secrets of Casino Marketing, John expands his IGWB marketing columns with new material. Then he blends in excerpts from his seminars at the World Gaming Congress and Expo and more than 50 other speaking engagements. He shows you his successful casino sales letters, some of them word-for-word, and elaborates on casino floor promotions, advertising, tournaments, local markets, slot clubs, hosts, inactives, testing, and dozens of other marketing tactics. John is a former sports editor for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and feature writer for United Press International, Associated Press and Sports Illustrated magazine. He began his casino career in 1960 at the former Del Webb's Sahara, Las Vegas, and was a pioneer in casino direct mail and floor promotions. He opened his own advertising agency in 1979, and later became a founder and principal of Players International, Inc., a public company. He became an independent casino marketing consultant in 1987, specializing in direct mail, direct response advertising, promotions and database building. His numerous sales awards include three Echos (2 gold, 1 silver) from the Direct Marketing Association.

Customer Reviews:

Secrets of Casino Marketing.......2003-10-23

I am very disappointed at the book. I thought the book was written by a casino marketing guru who has a lot of useful tips to share about "casino marketing". But what I found is just things about direct mailings. Maybe at times it touched on advertising (things related to marketing), yet, they're not the focus of the book. The book is just about direct mail - how to write successful selling letters. The title of the book is misleading.

But yet, still, even so, things are scattered, the reader can never get a full picture on how to write good, successful direct mail because there's no overview of examples - it's just pieces of paragraphs here and there. I wonder why the author did that. What's the purpose? He doesn't want to share with us because it's his "secrets"? I can't even find a full direct mail letter in the book. How can one learn how to write a complete letter without seeing a letter in full?

I am convinced that I am a fool in buying this book (especially that I pay so much in getting the book). It's a total disappointment. I regret buying it.

..........2003-07-04

This collection of common sense essays from IGWB magazine inspired casinos to shift from the old mass marketing to direct selling. With relentless logic John covers everything from the care and feeding of general managers and the hidden advantage of direct marketing to the night the Beatles played Las Vegas. Hardcover, 268 pages, $... each (US) plus $...shipping in USA, $... shipping to all other international destinations. NOTE: If ordering by mail you may pay by credit card, check or money order. Checks must be drawn on a US bank in US funds.

Learn the secrets of successful casino marketing.......1999-04-01

This book is a must read for anyone seriously pursuing or already working in casino marketing. Read this book if you want to improve your marketing efforts, even if you're NOT in the gaming business. John Romero offers plenty of powerful tips and suggestions that produce positive results. Based on 38 years of doing everything he writes about, Romero tells you how to write an effective letter that will generate a customer response every time. If you write persuasively you'll hook your reader. "Secrets of Casino Marketing" shows you how. It explains what works and what doesn't and why. This is a fun book to read because the author grabs and holds you with stories of his casino marketing experience and tells you--using his wit and humor--how they relate to successful marketing strategies. I recouped the price of the book ten-fold on the first sales letter I sent out to my customers. Just by following the common sense guidelines discovered in this book, I immediately tripled my response rate. It's simple. Read this book, then do it. You'll be surprised by your improved results. And you learn it all from an expert who worked years in casinos to find out what motivates gamblers to do what they do. He found out a lot.

Average customer rating:

Great Book!
Great overview of games and casinos in Vegas

Casino Secrets
Barney Vinson , and David P. Tarino
Manufacturer: Huntington Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Ask Barney: An Insider's Guide to Las Vegas
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Guerrilla Gambling

ASIN: 0929712021

Book Description

Learn how to play every popular game in the casino, making the best bets and avoiding the worst. The author's treatment of the games is easy, perfect for beginners as well as experienced players who'll enjoy a whimsical take on their favorite casino pastimes.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!.......2000-01-11

This book is great...it has Every number of every hotel in las vegas...which is great for finding out prices and attractions for the casinos at particular times, the author is a great writer...he kept my attention the whole time, and that's not easy to do! The most important thing is that he supplied the secrets and how-to info on most of the games in casinos...limiting the house edge to basically nothing, i'll be trying his methods in april and carrying his book!

Great overview of games and casinos in Vegas.......1999-07-05

This is a great introduction to the games that you can play in Vegas, the odds that the house has on each game. There's also good information about almost every casino in Vegas -- what's good and bad about each one.

Vinson has a nice writing style. He's humorous and informative.

Get this book if you've never been to Vegas, or if you've only been there a few times. The only strike against this book is that it's a few years old (published in 1996, I think), and things to change.

Casino Confidential: Secrets for Winning Big from a Casino Pit Boss
Average customer rating:
Casino Confidential: Secrets for Winning Big from a Casino Pit Boss
Anonymous
Manufacturer: Quirk Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1594741956

Casino Gambling Secrets
Average customer rating:
Casino Gambling Secrets
Marten Jensen
Manufacturer: Cardoza
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1580421075

Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Doctor No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, Octopussy, Man With The Golden Arm, On Her Majestys Secret Service (JAMES BOND CLASSICS, 14 Volume Matched Set)
Average customer rating:
Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Doctor No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, Octopussy, Man With The Golden Arm, On Her Majestys Secret Service (JAMES BOND CLASSICS, 14 Volume Matched Set)
Ian Fleming
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

Doctor Who | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000U2QWN2

How To Live The James Bond Lifestyle
Average customer rating:

Best Self-Improvement Program is now Even Better

Not everyone can be a Double 0, but YOU can change that !

I Never "Say Never" heard a self-help book like this

Live it up!

Plan adventures, dress well, be 007

How To Live The James Bond Lifestyle
Paul Kyriazi
Manufacturer: Ronin Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Self Help | Health, Mind & Body | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 0971618380

Product Description

Actor David Hedison (Felix Leiter in "Live and Let Die" and "License to Kill") gives a 12 minute introduction to this "Ultimate Self Help" program. Hedison gives a stirring remembrance of how he ran away from his first audition but then returned to triumph. He then gives advice on how to survive as a freelance and live with passion. Hedison met the author Paul Kyriazi at "SPYFEST" on the Queen Mary in 2001. Feature film writer/director Paul Kyriazi will teach you how to upgrade your life to the level of 007 - no matter your age or financial level in this serious success course. The 8 hour audio-book "Bond Lifestyle" on CD is taken from "The Complete James Bond Lifestyle Seminar" with 50 extra pages. It is read by the author and with other actors performing dramatizations with sound effects. This Audio-Seminar won't make you 007, it will make you YOU, the real you, the individuality that is you. A you that will enjoy the style, confidence and the resort experiences of James Bond. It's the best gift for anyone who is having difficulty reaching their dream. Chapters include: Re-invent Yourself, Your Appearance, Your Bond Car, Bond Girls, Bond and His Cash, Exotic Hotels, Casino Gambling, Your Mission, Upgrading Your Image, The Greatest Adventure, and The Ultimate Secret of Women. Author Kyriazi says, "I started this "Bond Study" since I was in high school and saw the first James Bond movie, "Dr. No." After college, when I was trying to survive as a freelance film director, I took it to a new level when studying in person with three famous self-help gurus. I don t spend time with motivation, as I can't motivate you, so the time is used with techniques (both easy and difficult) that will move you quickly toward your goals and dreams. The average age of my seminar attendees has been around 30, as that's the age where men say, "No more of this. I need a change." This book contains NO information on weapons, self defense, cigarettes, alcohol or sexual matters. Subjects include: * Setting up you "Base of Operations" and "Mission Control Center". * The two most powerful "Gadgets" for success. * Programming your mind to attain your goals. * How to make your Bond Fantasies come true. * The "Ultimate Secret of Women" to ensure the best relationships. * Tipping the cool way like Bond does. *How to get past the blocks and fears standing in your way. *Lifestyle and success quotes from many famous celebrities. *Upgrading your self-image and image to others. *How to reinvent yourself. *The Bond Lifestyle clothes for all occasions. *The 21 Rules of the James Bond Lifestyle. *A hypnosis/mediation session that will remove Negative emotional blocks from your mind that are holding you back. *Checking into first class hotels the cool way. *Increasing your cash flow to live a more exciting life. *Make your Bond car ready to go. *How to have quick at hand knowledge like Bond.

Customer Reviews:

Best Self-Improvement Program is now Even Better.......2007-08-22

I'd been fortunate enough to find the book and original cassette version of this program on amazon years ago. I listened to the tape so many times while driving that I wore it out. This 8 CD set has a lot more information than the original. You can tell Mr. Kyriazi has continued to learn and practice his techniques.

From the introduction by David Hedison (Felix Leiter in two of the James Bond movies) through the "Clearing the Subconscious Mind" session on the last CD, this set places a powerful set of tools in your hands. Tools you can use to improve your lifestyle.

Since I first listened to Mr. Kyriazi's program, I've upgraded my life signifcantly. I found my "Bond girl," got my first novel published, and drive a new Mustang GT. I don't know if any of these things would have happened if I hadn't discovered (and implemented) these well-thought out and explained techniques. Thanks, Paul!

I can't recommend this strongly enough to anyone who is interested in improving his lifestyle.

Not everyone can be a Double 0, but YOU can change that !.......2007-08-12

so i was already in the mode of a Double 0....buying this CD was all i needed to simply push myself forward into being a Double 0 ( no kills please )...in a way the CD purchase was like M promoting me into double 0 status..listening to it was like i am shifting gears upwards...

Every since i bought the CD set and listened to it, i have already noticed changes in myself. I hit the gym more than usual having lost 10 pounds so far, i have a new 007 watch, no not Omega but a Graham by British masters ( i think each agent should choose their own kind of watch ), i have a gold coin just for that good feeling....etc.

This review might seem juvenile to some readers but you must understand that success is not meant for everyone. You must be a person wanting to want it. badly enough i might add. This CD allowed me to see that and push myself forward into what i knew i always wanted.

I think we all need a little imagination in our lives, makes our days a little more adventurous...

Next year i will vacation at Paradise Island at the Ocean Club ( i already hv their number )...go do some diving, i am tryig to work harder and smarter at work to increase my salary base so i can "maybe" afford an aston martin...its a far fetch goal but not impossible, if anything its so worth the try .. plus other things.

So i hope you will too do something that will improve your life. Remember a lot of people will say you are silly or think you are silly but what YOU think of yourself is more important. i used to always listen to my friends and familly i might add....got me nowhere...so i woke up one day and said i am going to listen to ME....in a year i become the owner of some real estate ( on two continents ), swam with stingrays, started organizing my life together, turned everything into missions, got what i needed from Q branch and already found myself improving etc...

so please dont give up on yourself. You are the best thing that ever happened. And if you have the money to spare, then buy this CD set...its a great motivational tool and maybe the kickstart you need to get up from that couch and do something.

Welcome to double 0. See you in the field. Next year you will find me at the Ocean Club playing cards or drinking a martini, or on the beach..trust me you wont miss that double 0 look...if you do see me, say hello....i would love to meet another double 0.

best...F

I Never "Say Never" heard a self-help book like this .......2007-07-12

I had the book, so I knew about the seriousness of the subject, by a guy that's obviously applied what he is preaching. However, this eight hour marathon of one good idea after another, really took me by surprise. The author's authoritative voice, with support of other actors, made going from one disc to the other a real trip, that seemed to cover every possible way to get ahead imaginable. From now on, I probably won't be satisfied with other self-help audio-books, if they only have one speaker, no effects, or music. This audio-book got me spoiled.

I was already using the ideas from the book, but seems like there's double the info, in the 8 CDs. Anyway, double the energy for sure. I like the way each disc is marked for each topic, and unlike the author figured, I didn't skip to the disc on Bond girls first. I listened from the beginning. I'm not a gambler, but his 'always win in the casino' made sense to me, anyway, fun to hear it. And I'll certainly use valet parking if I go to Vegas, after hearing the funny example of parking yourself with your Bond girl.

David Hedison's introduction surrounded by Bond music really kicks it off. I'm thinking he could do his own motivational book, especially for wannabe actors. But for wannabe Bond's, I guess, this would be the course needed. I give it two thumbs up.

Live it up!.......2007-06-30

The author provides specific, actionable tips for planning and executing your "missions". Good, down-to-earth advice.

Plan adventures, dress well, be 007.......2003-03-09

I already consider myself successful having achieved many of my personal goals. And although I've been studying and achieving success for years, I had gotten stale and complacent. In other words I began to go into a dirty t-shirt wearing, couch potato mode. Then I bought this tape and, as absurd as it sounds, galvanized my entire life back into action and positive progress.

The important aspect of the tape (and book) is the re-programing of your mind and asserting control over your negative emotions. This sounds wishy-washy, but it's the real gem. Once you begin to ask yourself "what would James Bond do in this situation" it all falls into place. You will not believe the results and turn your life will take.

You begin to immerse yourself in a lifestyle that promotes action and excitement. You plan adventures, you dress well, you act (and then become) confident. You exude prosperity. Much of the by-product of all of this is attracting women.

This tape scratches the surface but it is one of the best. I then recommend you get the book. I have listened to and read a lot of personal improvement products over the years. This one has lots of realistic techniques: not just theoretical advice. Highly recommended.

Insider's Secrets for Winning at Roulette: Tips, Techniques & Strategies for Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game
Average customer rating:

32 pages of very basic information

Insider's Secrets for Winning at Roulette: Tips, Techniques & Strategies for Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game
Donald Currier
Manufacturer: Las Vegas Insider
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Roulette | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1890030074

Customer Reviews:

32 pages of very basic information.......2001-06-28

This book has 32 pages of basic information about the game of roulette. 80% of the book explains the rules of the game.

JAMES BOND: Casino Royale; Live and Let Die; Moonraker; Diamonds Are Forever; Russia With Love; Dr. No; Goldfinger; Your Eyes Only; Thunderball; Spy Who Loved Me; Majesty's Secret Service; You Only Live Twice; Golden Gun; Octopussy; Colonel Sun

Average customer rating:

JAMES BOND: Casino Royale; Live and Let Die; Moonraker; Diamonds Are Forever; Russia With Love; Dr. No; Goldfinger; Your Eyes Only; Thunderball; Spy Who Loved Me; Majesty's Secret Service; You Only Live Twice; Golden Gun; Octopussy; Colonel Sun
Ian (with Kingsley Amis [Robert Markham]) Fleming
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P5Y5HE

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