The Walt Disney Company started as a cartoon studio in the 1920’s and became a phenomenal global corporation by providing entertainment for everyone around the world. Today, Walt Disney not only has theme parks, a mass amount of movies, television shows, an actual television channel, a radio station, but it also recently opened many Disney stores around the world. We will be taking a look at the organizational behavior concepts that I believe make this organization such a successful one.
The Disney Company successfully uses it’s human resources practices everyday to make sure this organization runs in the most efficient way. In order for the magic to really happen, the employees need to be there to help. The Walt Disney Company provides their employees with many different training programs and learning opportunities designed to teach them anything and everything to keep this company growing. There are many Disney programs, a new hire orientation to go over what is expected from the employees, and executive development program called Disney Dimensions, and the Disney Way which is designed to showcase the different Disney businesses to managers and higher. There is also the Disney ethics, integrity, and diversity programs along with professional development, management/leaderships development, and computer skills. The Disney Company also provides it’s employees with educational reimbursement for those who are continuing their education while working for Disney full-time. This all goes to show that the human resources practices at the Walt Disney Company are extraordinary and they will do whatever it takes to make sure their employees do a job above and beyond and make sure they provide the guests with 100% satisfaction.
In 1986, the Disney Institute opened providing business people worldwide with information and inspiration. It gives the businesses tolls to apply to proven systems and strategies in their own organization. Many of the programs include accommodations so when your not in class, you can experience what it is like to be a guest. This Institute hopes that as a result of it’s classes, you can leave with focus for your business unit, your organization, and yourself. It provides knowledge in improving in your work environment and customer service, inspiration for yourself and those you work with and for, and increases your overall productivity and bottom line.
Disney’s organizational culture is what provides quality, innovation, decency, and everything else involved in this organization to treat every employee the same way their guests are treated. Disney bases many of it’s new things on ideas. That is how the company continues to grow bigger and bigger everyday. With their sales being outstanding, Disney is able to provide their guests with magnificent entertainment and excellent accommodations yet still ensuring it is affordable. They run many specials and sales throughout the year to continue attracting many visitors. Disney does not just have Disney World and Disneyland anymore; they now have the Disney cruise line, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland. This way, everyone of any culture and nationality can enjoy Disney and more people can experience Disney closer to home.
The Disney company has an entire team management that also is the base for changes. The President of the Walt Disney Company is Robert A. Iger. There is also a corporate team and a business unit. Brent Woodford is the senior vice president for the planning department.
Group behavior is a very important thing at the Disney Company considering how important teamwork is. The employees within this organization learn to promote risk taking and creativity in a fun environment, participate in activities, identify effective processes for communication, decision making, and problem solving, and interact with one another and share a sense of accomplishment. It is very important for all of the employees to follow the rules and regulations to keep this company soaring.
It is also important that the employees are aware of the safety and security. The Disney Company launched its first Internet site in 1995 and stays up to date in promoting safe Internet practices for children. This organization also minimizes risks by providing quality and professional technical services for the safest environment possible for both the guests and the employees. There is a team of professionals that train employees in health, safety, and environmental issues. The park security is there to promote a safe environment as well with more then 1000 cast members in the security operations department. Disney’s consumer products are all about quality and safety which is what the Company’s Product Integrity group is for which is who reviews the safety of all the consumer products distributed by Disney.
It is obvious that the Disney Company does whatever they can to satisfy not only their guests but also their employees. That may be one of the reasons why Disney is so popular today. The success of Disney shows that their training programs have reflected on the company in an extremely positive way and has benefited them within the human resources practices, organizational culture, group behavior, and communication. Disney is a good company to follow for companies that are interested in expanding or increasing business because it looks to me like they are doing everything right. No wonder why it is so easy for them to make magic happen.
Sources:
Alridge, B. (2002). Just Disney. Retrieved July 20, 2008, from http://www.justdisney.com/disneyland/index.html
Iger, B. (n.d.). Corporate responsibilities. Retrieved July 20, 2008, from http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/corporate_responsibility.html
