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Creating Disney Magic

Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, shares his wisdom and experience from his time with Disney, Marriott, and Hilton. Lee joins show host Jody Maberry to discuss how you can apply lessons in leadership, management, and customer service to create magic in your organization.
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Creating Disney Magic
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Now displaying: December, 2021
Dec 28, 2021

We have another listener question, this time coming all the way from the UK. Deanto Callo wants to know if it is possible to be friendly and informal with your staff and still maintain professional standards?

It is possible to be friendly and maintain expectations and standards with your team. You have to decide who you are and what you stand for, as a leader and as a company. Make sure your team knows what you stand for and how it will help them grow and get better. When you have clear expectations, you can still be friendly and approachable. It is good to have friendly relationships and a comfortable atmosphere, as long as your team knows how it works.

I like to say manage like a mother. Mothers want you to be successful. They care about you, and they will hold you to the family standards and expectations because it is in your best interest, and they care about you. Mothers are informal and friendly, but they are firm and fair and manage with empathy and discipline.

As long as you set expectations, reinforce expectations and then enforce expectations, you can cultivate a relational atmosphere. Your attitude will determine the outcome. People want to work in an orderly and predictable environment – it lets them know they are safe. The boundaries must be clear. Monopoly and poker have different rules – make sure your team knows what game they are playing.

Magical Vacation Planners will make sure you know what to expect when it comes to your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Dec 21, 2021

You have heard me talk about the cloud recently and how I am trying to become more familiar with what it means for business. We have a special guest today. Kenneth Johnson, CEO of Blue Sentry, joins us to help us better understand the benefits of “the Cloud”.

There are a lot of implications for business when it comes to migrating to the cloud, and it can seem overwhelming. The best way to understand it is as a public utility company. It is the same way that water and electric companies provide utilities. An individual property can have a well and get water, but it is easier to have the water provided and managed by the water company. The cloud is like public utilities for your data storage. You can spend the time and resources to build your infrastructure. Or you can build huge data centers with a few lines of code by utilizing an already existing infrastructure.

Often, companies are slower to utilize cloud services because they fear security issues. There have been many advancements in this area, and it can be safer than maintaining your own data services. If you are considering making the change to cloud-based services, make sure you train your team. Find a company that specializes in not just getting your migrated, but also in the knowledge transfer needed to maintain the change. Cloud-based services can give you a competitive advantage if you educate yourself and become familiar with them.

Blue Sentry specialized in teaming with companies looking to better utilize cloud services. If you are interested in connecting with them, you can email Kenneth at kenneth@bluesentry.com.

Just like you want to team with knowledgeable partners when it comes to the cloud, you want to make sure you work with experts when planning your next trip and I recommend Magical Vacation Planners You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources:

Blue Sentry Cloud

Dec 14, 2021

Today we are answering a listener question. Karen Ellis asks “What can help a person break out of a role or job title and get others to see they can do more and grow into another role?” Karen gave the example of an administrative assistant looking to move into more responsibility.

There are two sides to this discussion. If you are on the employee side and want to move into a new role, the answer is pretty straightforward. First, make sure you are being a high producer. Do what you are currently doing well. If you are doing that, make your desire known. Talk with your leadership and ask them what needs to happen for you to move into your desired role and what you can do to prepare for it. While you are waiting, take classes. Work on your skillset and expand your tool belt. If you are doing all of these things and an opportunity to advance doesn’t manifest, it may be time to move on and look for another job.

If you are a leader in a company, it benefits you to promote from within your existing organization. Be on the lookout for talent. Get to know your team. Learn their skills and abilities. Be willing to talk to your employees. People want to be where there is room to grow. Be purposeful in having a plan for your team members to advance. Always have your eyes open and look for those who may do well with a promotion. One practical way to do this is to start a book club. Often those who sign up and show up are those with ambition who want to learn and grow.

If you want to ask us a question, you can reach out to me on cockerellacademy.com. You can also reach out to Jody on jodymaberry.com.

If you are looking to plan a vacation, make sure you contact Magical Vacation Planners. They can connect you with an expert in the city you want to visit and help you plan the best trip possible. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Dec 7, 2021

I just returned from the annual IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Conference. Not only can you get a good hot dog, but if you are in the entertainment park business, it is a great opportunity to learn about upcoming innovations in the industry.

No matter the industry you are in, it is important to get outside the walls of your own company and expose yourself to new ideas. See what else is out there and challenge yourself. You will lose out as an organization if you don’t prioritize getting out. In addition to encountering innovations, you may cultivate new contacts as well.

Another benefit is what it communicates to your employees when you send them out to conferences and tradeshows. It tells them you trust them and that they are worth the investment. It’s a practical way of offering more than a paycheck.

Another way you can communicate trust and investment to your team is The Cockerell Academy. Check out the available courses and resources at cockerellacademy.com.

Also, if you will be attending any conferences or visiting any parks, Magical Vacation Planners is the resource you need. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

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