Lessons From Disney U: The Wonderful World of an Enduring Brand

All presentations are customized. Needs assessment time with Doug is included with every project. Great attention to organizational challenges and/or mission is considered when designing a client’s program. Presentations may be a one-hour keynote or up to three hours in a workshop format. Leadership and teamwork programs may contain any of the following learning modules.

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  Pulling Back the Curtain – Timeless Secrets from Disney U

  How Disney consistently develops the world’s most engaged, loyal and customer-centric employees.

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  From Silos to Synergy – Transforming Creative Tension Into Profit

  How Disney University ignited collaboration, creativity and profits via executive development.

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  Popcorn Empowerment – Creating Service Recovery Superheroes

  Develop a massively engaged workforce via a good dose of trust and creative training.

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  Whistle While You Work – Creating Happiness the Disney Way

  Work hard, play hard. Learn how Disney nourishes an organizational culture valuing the stress-relieving benefits of play. As Van France, Disney University Founder said, “The business we’re in, if we can’t have fun, how could we expect the public to have fun?”

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  Keep Plussing the Show – Beyond “Pixie Dust”

  Focusing on these fundamentals has driven decades of Disney’s success.

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  One Foot in the Past, One Foot in the Future – Leveraging Your Traditions

  The surprising truth about balancing legacy with current and future needs

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  The Best is Never the Best – Eliminating “Good Enough”

  Walt Disney’s first Audio-Animatronic figure was a failure. Learn how Walt transformed this catastrophe into a force still driving The Walt Disney Company.

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  Beyond a “University” – The Four Circumstances

  Slapping a fancy name on a training department doesn’t guarantee success. Learn how the Disney University has remained a guiding force within the Disney culture by following four fundamental strategies.

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  Capturing Hearts and Minds – It’s More Than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck

  What makes Disney University training relevant? Is it the pictures of famous cartoon characters lining the walls of the training rooms? No. It is the ability to capture hearts and minds, an outcome attainable by any organization.

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  It Takes Art & Science – Snow White Never Has a Bad Day

  The Disney University keeps Walt’s and Van’s message alive. Amazing things happen when art and science are given equal billing; attractions operate consistently and Snow White enjoys only good days. How is your balance?

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  Walk the Park – Gather Facts and Feelings

  Walt Disney knew the value of connecting with employees by constantly visiting the front lines. Are you “too busy” to connect with your customers and employees? If Walt could do it, why can’t you?

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  Change or Perish – Who is Your Contrarian Thinker?

  Van France, founder of the Disney University, created a blueprint for the ensuring longstanding success of the organization he created. He balanced tradition and innovation, constantly “stirring the pot” and challenging the status-quo.

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  Simplify the Complex – Disney’s SCSE strategy

  Sustaining The Happiest Place on Earth means cast members must manage a delicate balance of priorities. The Disney University simplifies this inherently complex environment by providing every cast member crystal clear marching orders during orientation. How can you apply Disney’s SCSE approach.

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  CREATIVITY IS FREE – Trust is Earned

  Disney University plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of trust and creativity. These secrets are massively effective and surprisingly inexpensive.

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  The Honeymoon Will End – Cinderella Castle and Culture Change

  Anyone who has ever been involved in a grand opening knows the feeling. The energy accompanying pre-opening, followed by the eventual letdown afterwards, can be an emotional roller-coaster. Learn how Walt Disney World averted a crisis, reenergized cast members, and dramatically reduced turnover.

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  Good Show/Bad Show – The Brilliance of Basics

  Tens of thousands of Disney cast members, around the world, embrace this decades-old customer service philosophy. How does Disney University keep this alive?

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  On-Stage/Backstage – Lights, Camera, Action!

  These domains are different, distinct … and never mix. Learn how Disney leverages the backstage world to ignite on-stage perfection.