The best-known and most influential people in London don’t all live in palaces — some of them spend their time walking the streets, and riding a big bus.
Pete House, a senior tour guide for Big Bus Tours in London, is arguably one of the most influential (and likeable) people you’re likely to meet in London. And, let’s face it: If you’re going to London anytime soon, you’re likely to meet him. For hundreds of tourists a day, Pete provides lasting impressions of Big Bus Tours, London, British monarchy, and the Beatles.
Pete is a influential. He’s empowered. He’s resourceful. He’s driven to succeed. He’s a HERO. HEROs is an acronym for ‘Highly Empowered and Resourceful Operatives.’ The acronym was created by Josh Bernoff, Senior Vice President of Idea Development at Forrester Research and co-author of Groundswell, to describe the best type of employees that companies have. According to Bernoff, HEROs need to be found and nurtured in the workplace. And, they need to be leveraged on social networks.
Big Bus provides the best 24-hour tour experience in London. Their hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tours take visitors to all of London’s famous landmarks with multi-lingual recordings and a handful of experienced tour guides. Although House has only worked as a tour guide for four years, he’s a leader of Big Bus’ tour pack. House leads three free walking tours for Big Bus that are worth the entire Big Bus fee on their own: The Changing of the Guard, The Beatles Walk and a haunted Ghosts by Gas Light tour.
Pete’s friendly demeanor, colorful stories and heartfelt passion for London, the ‘Queen Mum’ and the Beatles guarantee a good time for all. And, they guarantee good income and ‘word of mouth’ advertising for Big Bus. We spent over $2,000 on our two-day excursion to London. The most expensive fees — flights and hotels — were the most forgettable. We spent little time in the marginal hotel that we booked near Hyde Park. Delta’s international flights were a nightmare.
We were faceless to Delta Airlines, but Pete learned our names and the names of everyone on his tours. He connected with every group. He connected with every individual. He provided us with valuable memories and entertaining stories. He was a hero for us. He was a hero for Big Bus. He was a hero for London, the ‘Queen mum’ and the Beatles.
Some of the best leaders in a company aren’t found in offices or board rooms. They’re found where it matters: On the street, right next to your customers.
Pete: “And that’s just the way it is, isn’t it? Alright?”
Me: “Alright.”
The ‘Hole Story
Pete House, a senior tour guide for Big Bus Tours in London, weaves a compelling story in front of this Beatles landmark — it’s (literally) a hole in the ground where the Beatles met the Rolling Stones. “Comparing the Beatle’s and the Rolling Stones is like comparing a Cathedral and a spaceship. It all depends on what you want.”
About Troy Janisch