FROM THE MOUSE’S HOUSE TO THE PENTHOUSE

Crawford takes a retrospective look at executing business deals in East Asia.

In this debut business book, the author shares lessons learned from two decades of working in China and Japan for Disney and Four Seasons, arranging major development deals and bridging cultural gaps. Crawford recounts the yearslong process of establishing the Shanghai Disney Resort, the company’s first theme park in China, and details his subsequent role overseeing the development of Four Seasons’ hotel business in the region. The book is organized thematically (rather than following single deals from start to finish) as Crawford offers readers his recommendations for conducting business effectively across cultures and geographic barriers. He explains how to assess the needs of the local market, communicate clearly with company executives, and negotiate effectively. Many of the book’s lessons can be broadly applied to international business in any location, but the author also specifically addresses the nuances of working in the different Asian countries he has had direct experience with. Crawford is passionate about the companies he has worked for—Disney in particular, where he spent more than 20 years, advancing from hourly park employee to corporate executive—and he’s an engaging storyteller, which makes the book an easy and enjoyable read. He does particularly well with narrowly focused stories about small but meaningful achievements, like outlining the decision to partner with Pepsi for the park’s refreshments, or describing how he managed expectations and provided guidance to both his staff and Disney CEO Bob Iger. At times, the author seems too committed to a corporate mindset (“The biggest brands can give credibility to a whole nation”), and readers who are less interested in 16-hour workdays and frequent after-work socializing may find it difficult to embrace some of his advice for building a coherent workplace team. But even readers who disagree with some of Crawford’s attitudes are likely to find his story both fascinating and informative.

A compelling story of business accomplishments in an international context.