DCA, Future Expansion
Topic: Ratatouille Coaster

#	Author	Message
41	mstaft Wed 10/10/2007 4:15p	What you want an employee to be good with people, this same requirement needs to be modeled from the top down- and Disney is a people oriented business. I agree Ed Grier doesn't have to be everywhere to be good, but some pressing the flesh is good common sense in a business that stresses high quality customer service. Even if I don't always agree, sometimes someone (even Al) is right.
42	Sport Goofy Wed 10/10/2007 4:32p	<< I agree Ed Grier doesn't have to be everywhere to be good, but some pressing the flesh is good common sense in a business that stresses high quality customer service. >> What sorts of data do you base this assessment on? Do you have examples from businesses with high quality customer service that demonstrate that only those with charismatic leaders are more successful than those similar businesses without them? There was actually a book written about this recently. It was called "Good to Great" and it compared and contrasted companies with great success records against those with only mediocre results. One of the findings was that, nearly across the board, all of the successful companies were led by what the book called "Level 5 Leaders." These leaders were introverts who shied away from the spotlight, surrounded themselves with people more talented than they were, and were very pragmatic in the way they went about their business. In comparison, the companies with the charismatic and outspoken leaders did not achieve the same level of success. I know its not intuitive to think this way, but when you study actual data you find that there is no basis to judge leadership based on someone's willingness or talent for pressing the flesh.
43	jonvn Wed 10/10/2007 4:38p	I've worked in industry a while. The president of the company might as well be on the moon as far as I'm concerned. They just don't go out and about and meet everyone.
44	mstaft Thu 10/11/2007 6:29a	I've read that book as well. They are mainly contrasting Level 5 leaders with those who choose to be a celebrity. Big egos, big difference than what I'm saying. Personally, how about my over 25 years of experience in customer service companies both big and small?
45	Sport Goofy Thu 10/11/2007 8:03a	I'd go with with aggregate data collected over decades by a research team before I'd go with one person's narrow personal experience. << They are mainly contrasting Level 5 leaders with those who choose to be a celebrity. >> And the webmasters critical of Disney management have a very skewed view that Disney executive is some sort of "celebrity" and needs to be photographed around the park like they are on display for US Weekly. Do the online critics lament the DL President's presence in the park because of its impact on park performance, or because it thwarts their efforts to stalk the guy and get photos of him up on their site as much as humanly possible? Business people are not celebrities, and the attempts of online fan sites to treat them as such is not very productive.
46	WorldDisney Thu 10/11/2007 9:35a	LOL, this is what I love about LP!! These discussions always go a little higher than other boards...even if its just a little too serious at times ;). I will say two things about this 'issue': One, I agree, DL isn't going to sink or swim by how 'social' the President of the place is, just that he/she are getting things done. At the end of the day, people are getting paid on time, work is getting done and the park is getting the treatmetn that it deserves (since NO ONE is comparing this man to Pressler of simple short cutting and budget slashing everything which put the park in a dreary mood for awhile there, he can't be all bad then) so what's the problem. BUUUUT, sure, I also agree, it would be nice to see the boss every once in awhile in a company who has ALWAYS been about Customer service at the highest level, from the janitor sweeping the street at Main Street to the CEO. That's one of the great things about Disney, its employees are approachable (in theory). I mean, basically DL and DCA IS the product he is selling to the people and its odd that he rarely goes out to see with his own eyes how that product is doing from time to time. It doesn't mean every day, or week or even month. But MONTHS at a time is a little strange when the President of the place never actually set foot of the place he is supposedly President of lol. Its not quite the same scenario of a boss who works in an office building because that office building isn't comprised of staff who interact with customers the way its done at DL day in and day out. Seems like he would at least be curious a little more, but maybe he just IS really busy. Maybe he goes in Michael Jackson style and put on disquises to check things out? Maybe he's Pluto lol. Who knows? And lastly, although I certianly agree at the end of the day, as long as things are gettind done, it shouldn't really matter, but maybe things AREN'T getting done the way they should be. If Lutz's article is right and I assume yes since many here have talked about it for years, morale is pretty low at those parks right now and a high turnover. I'm not nieve, I know its more to do with the hours and pay situation then how many hugs you get from your boss everyday, but I DO think it would help if yeah the boss comes out, tell people what a good job they are doing, attend the employee functions, let them know he is approachable, create a fun atmosphere every once in a while and etc(lol, and I am talking about for a place like DL ;)). Like others said, it could help morale also which frankly IS a part of a leaders job as well, even if unofficially.
47	Sport Goofy Thu 10/11/2007 10:07a	<< If Lutz's article is right and I assume yes since many here have talked about it for years, morale is pretty low at those parks right now and a high turnover. >> Go back and read the Lutz archives and see how he talked about morale being low and high turnover when Matt Ouimet was DL President. It doesn't matter who is in charge, Lutz will find a way to find fault.
48	WorldDisney Thu 10/11/2007 10:18a	^^Probably right, but you COULD argue that was when the entire regieme seem to be in low morale ;). But like I said, I'm not saying it would turn everything around, I just don't see where it can hurt either, that's all. And Lutz is FUN!!!! I read him for about a year before I found this site. Love both equally :).
49	mstaft Thu 10/11/2007 10:18a	I think the real issue is that both employees and Disney Geeks- like us- attach high value to "the way Walt did it." Not saying it was right or perfect, but it is the way things were done, and following an icon is always next to impossible.
50	jonvn Thu 10/11/2007 10:23a	I think most people weren't even alive when Walt Disney was. Most people online don't even know what it was like before Eisner came along. What they really like is the way Eisner did it before EDL did its damage. That's what people like.

All times are Pacific Time (US)

Note: Information on the discussion boards is sometimes based on rumors or incorrect information and should not be assumed true. Messages do not necessarily reflect the opinion of LaughingPlace.com or its editors.

More messages:	1-10	11-20	21-30	31-40	41-50
	51-60	61-70	71-80	81-90	91-93

< Previous Topic

Next Topic >

You must be a registered user to post messages.
Click here to register.
After registration you will automatically be brought back to this topic

Laughing Place Podcast
The LPP crew close out 2008 with their year end show featuring a recap of the year in Disney and a scorecard on their 2008 predictions. They also discuss Bedtime Stories and the Christmas Day Parade plus Reader Mail and Brent's Corner.

What's on
The Latest
Disneyland Resort Offers Incredible Value for Southern California Residents with Admission to Two Parks for the Price of One
American Idol Experience audition process
Original Mouseketeer Cheryl Holdridge passes away
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience pictures
Tales from the Laughing Place author featured on the Disney and More blog
Participants and Spectators to Experience More Magic At Largest Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Ever
American Idol Experience details
Single-Game Tickets for Expanded Braves Spring Training Slate At Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on Sale Jan. 10
NFFC All Disneyana Show and Sale to be held on January 18, 2009
New Bedtime Stories clips

Click here for The Latest