Disney Insights: How to Grow Your Company by Growing Your Employees

With Disney having over 100 years as a company, there have been good times and a few tough times. But relatively speaking, the company has fared well over the long haul. It certainly has grown–enormously from its original roots as a small animation studio to one of the biggest media organizations across the globe. It is envied for its growth, but that growth isn’t sustainable unless you’re growing your employees in a sustainable way. Short term, corporations can do many things to make a quick turn around. Infused capital if nothing else. Show momentary good will and create great marketing campaigns will make people notice. But real admiration comes from sustained long term growth, not from quick overnight deals. And that growth comes from growing your employees.

I’m joined today by Kim and Mac Cantrell, former guests on my podcast, who will share what’s happening with organizations that are facing their own growth challenges. We’ll talk about those, and we’ll talk about something called “Soft Wiring” which is a practical approach to working with your employees to engage, motivate and empower them to grow the organization successfully. I’ll share plenty of examples of what this looks like at Disney, and you’ll see that these are things you can do in your organization as well. So join us on Disney Insights as we talk about how to grow your company by growing your employees.

This podcast is produced by myself and Performance Journeys, which offers training, development and consultant support to organizations big and small and entrepreneurs new and established. With a wide variety of resources and long-time in-the-trench experience, we offer workshops, online learning, coaching and more to organizations that want to build their teams, raise organizational excellence, improve leadership and create customer loyalty. Check us out at PerformanceJourneys.com.

Please support us by not only subscribing to this podcast but offering up a rating, review, or referral to others. Be sure to check out Disney Insights where we offer key points, photos, videos, links and more. Note that YouTube carries now carries our podcasts. So please subscribe to our Disney Insights YouTube page as it will be more a part of our social media strategy moving forward. We welcome any positive thoughts and comments on our YouTube podcast as well.

And for those on this blog, know that the substance of this topic and what is shared below can be found on our podcast. You can find this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, Podchaser, PlayerFM, Boomplay, Podbean, and ListenNotes.

Soft Wiring Your Organization

Perhaps your organization is trying to make a turnaround. Perhaps you’re doing incredible business, but you wonder how to sustain that growth. Today’s conversation is about just how to do that, and what business inspired lessons from Disney teach about that. To share in that discussion I’m pleased to have Kim and Mac Cantrell. They joined me back on Episode 253 when we talked about Fantastic Customer Service and Leadership at Disney. Today, we’ll chat about organizations that are experiencing big growth, but struggle to make that happen. I’ll share some lessons and insight from Disney on how to address that growth in a way that is sustainable and engaging to your workforce. So without further adieu, let’s chat with Mac and Kim.

More on Disney’s Approach to Empowering & Engaging Others

Let me expand on some other ways that Disney is committed to growing their company by growing their Cast:

Set Clear Expectations

If you want people to have the right expectations, hire the people who come in already with those expectations. Part of what attracts the “right fit” people to Disney are people who are attracted to what is “right about Disney” This example is exemplified in the story of Brittany Wylie.

The message here is that if you want the best of the best, come across that way to others, be the best and you will attract the best.

Provide Developmental Support

I mentioned that Disney doesn’t have a training department, it has a Disney University. Let’s talk about the difference between the two and between a corporate university and a traditional university. Through SHRM, who has published both editions of our book Lead with Your Customer, Mark Allen, professor at Pepperdine shares the differences.

Disney is one of the first corporate universities in America. And before it called itself that, it was training artists decades earlier when they were trying to create its first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But they also believe in a traditional university experience, and through its DisneyAspire program it has allowed thousands of employees to make college something they could reach of. Let’s look at some of the facts.

Make Performance Matter

I mentioned a photographer recently recognized with a Disney Legend award. That individual is WIllie Jackson. Let me share further.

RecognizeNow! is a worldwide digital platform for our employees that enables them to send notes of appreciation, recognition, and gratitude quickly and easily to one another. We also offer CelebrateNow!, a similar platform that enables our employees to celebrate life’s most important moments with one another by sending an array of e-cards for milestones such as holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. Further, the Cast Compliment feature in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Resort mobile apps invites guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to submit a digital recognition to cast members who made their visit memorable.

Willie’s journey reminds us all of something Walt himself believed, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world… but it requires people to make the dream a reality.”  

Summary

Sonia Coleman, Chief Human Resources Officer, The Walt Disney Company

“At Disney, we’re committed to fostering a welcoming and empowering environment rooted in our shared values, successes, and belief in the power of storytelling. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and we thrive together in making it the best place in the world to work.”

In short, if you want to grow your company–and do it in a sustainable way, be accountable to growing your employees–in a sustainable way.

One More Thing!

If you haven’t checked it out already, Mac and Kim’s son Alec has a podcast, and he interviewed me recently. Take a listen on YouTube when you have a chance!

Want to visit Disney?

Hopefully this podcast has made you realize you need help and support in planning your next trip to Disney. David and Leah with Zanolla Travel know Disney in ways few do and they can make your next trip on land or sea an exciting one–or at least less stressful! Be sure to contact them as you explore your next vacation, whether it is a Disney theme park vacation, a cruise, or an Adventure by Disney. There is no charge to utilize their services, but it will save you enormous time getting all the details right, and with their insight you can be assured you’re going to experience the best trip possible. Contact them today!

David & Leah Zanolla

ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

Another way you can support the podcast is through our books!

My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! 

Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. 

Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Find Excellence in Your Organization!

This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena. 

Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership development and employee engagement.

Contact us today, and let us help.

Thanks for joining us for this podcast, Know that as in the title of Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about performance. Find the second star to the right, and keep going straight on till you reach it. Follow the compass of your heart, and know that with a smile and a song, a little faith, effort and pixie dust, your dreams can come true. After all, if we can dream it, we can do it. Until next time, bright suns, we’ll see you real soon!