David M. Murray, 55, said he has attended many management training seminars since his career in design and marketing began in the late 1960s, yet his experience at last year’s Disney Keys to Excellence validated some of his own managerial philosophies.
Murray likes to bring his personal sense of humor to his job. A boss questioned his motivational tactic of throwing confetti on his employees to get their “blood flowing,” he said. And he more recently opened eyes when leading a performance of Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” during a corporate rally for BankNewport.
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“When you start talking about corporate culture, it’s fascinating, and nobody does it better than Disney,” said Murray, vice president of corporate marketing for BankNewport.
“Perhaps the most important thing is the acceptance of being a human being,” Murray said, “particularly at a bank.”
Murray has marveled at some of the management methods and organizational philosophies of Disney since the early 1980s.
Fred Colonies, director of the Community College of Rhode Island’s Institute for Leadership & Organizational Development, said his organization plans to bring the Disney seminar to the Ocean State again in September.
“This is an opportunity to have our local business community participate in what is commonly referred to as an incredible day of learning,” Colonies said. “They get an opportunity to share in the successful procedures and business practices that have made Disney a successful (enterprise).”
Bolstering the entertaining atmosphere at Walt Disney World and Epcot Center is an extensive corporate philosophy, brought to life by the man himself, the late founder Walt Disney. Disney built his Mickey Mouse empire by stressing teamwork, doggedness in reaching goals and courageous leadership.
The Disney Institute has brought their late mentor’s teachings and philosophy to millions of people from all industries worldwide since 1986. Its training teaches businesspeople to examine their organizations from new perspectives, perhaps encouraging them to adopt some of the management philosophies of the man himself. Workshops are led by Institute “Facilitators,” some of whom began their careers with Disney at ticket windows or working as hostesses at Epcot Center.
The one-day training event includes sessions on the “Disney Style” of leadership, management, service and loyalty, according to program literature.
Effective leadership, according to Disney, drives bottom-line results as well as employee satisfaction. Managers are encouraged to train and motivate employees to buy into an organization’s “corporate culture.” Service is another component to Disney’s success, and the training teaches how to deliver “positive customer experiences.” Seminar participants also learn how loyalty, of customers and employees, leads to financial rewards.
“The program is really ideal for leaders, executives and managers of really any sized organization,” Colonies said.
A method the Institute uses to assess organizations, according to its Web site, is having program participants rate their workplace in seven categories – ranging from how effectively their leaders communicate to how well each employee plays a part in the success of their organization.
Credit Walt Disney for saying, according to the Institute, that “the whole thing is the organization. Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort.”
Colonies said about 200 people participated in the Disney program in April 2004 and he hopes that figure jumps to 300 this year. Last year’s participants, Colonies said, were from organizations such as Cardi’s Furniture, People’s Credit Union, BankNewport and Child and Family Services.
The Institute for Leadership & Organizational Development, which coordinates work force development programs to enhance organizational effectiveness of Rhode Island businesses, plans to market the seminar via 10,000 mailings to businesses and organizations throughout the state in the coming weeks.
“Disney Keys to Success” will begin Sept. 13 at 7:30 a.m. at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln. For more information about the training seminar, contact the Institute for Leadership & Organizational Development at (401) 455-6108.
