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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: March, 2024
Mar 26, 2024

“Your children have to know what you believe in, what you stand for, what the family is, what ethics are, and honesty, and what the expectations are in a family. It's the same in the workplace."

Key Moments

02:37 Workplace Ethics at Disney

04:18Leadership and Transparency

08:02 Importance of Communication and Respect in Teams and Families

11:57 Workplace Discrimination

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Leaders Need to Take a Stand

There can be a number of challenges that come up when you are managing a work environment with cultural differences. It is important to know how to address such situations effectively. Creating a culture of respect and inclusion includes setting clear expectations for behavior and taking swift action when necessary. When leaders take a stand in the workplace they are setting the tone for the culture.

During this episode, Jody and I explore more ways for leaders to take a stand, including:

  • Establish Clear Expectations: It's vital for leaders to set a standard of respect and behavior in the workplace. Clear communication about the organization's values and expectations is crucial.
  • Address Issues Promptly: Leaders need to take quick action when they witness behavior that doesn't align with the established standards. Addressing issues promptly can help prevent toxicity from festering.
  • Encourage Speak-Up Culture: Employees should feel empowered to speak up when they witness inappropriate behavior. Encouraging an open dialogue about respect and inclusivity helps foster a positive and supportive work environment.

Make sure to listen to the full conversation for more effective leadership strategies that will ensure you are creating a positive workplace culture. And make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. They are who you want to help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Mar 19, 2024

 “You can brag that you have a 99.5 safety rating on your rides, but what if you're the family member of the point 5% that something bad happens to? That's just not acceptable and therefore, there is no wiggle room.”

Key Moments

01:37 Customer Service Challenges and Safety

03:44 Disney Parks Experiences with Safety

08:42 Handling Safety Concerns and Maintaining Guest Experience

11:14 Importance of Leaders Discussing Safety

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Keep Safety a Priority

There is a delicate balance between prioritizing customer service and maintaining safety in a customer-facing role. As a leader it critical that you stick to safety protocols, even in the face of unrealistic customer expectations. As a frontline worker or manager, it's crucial to have the support of management when enforcing safety policies. No one should be bending the rules for customer satisfaction.

Make safety a non-negotiable priority. This should be the case in any customer-facing industry including hospitality and entertainment. While at Disney, we spent a lot of time creating practical strategies for frontline workers and managers to handle situations where safety is at stake. Safety and well-being of guests was put above all else. If they aren’t safe they aren’t going to have a great time.

Safety isn’t a one-time lesson. People need constant reinforcement of safety practices. Everyone needs reminders. Too often people get comfortable and start to assume that nothing will happen to them. It is the responsibility of leaders to consistently communicate and prioritize safety, reinforcing it as a core value within their organization.

Employees depend on having the support of management in adhering to safety policies. Trust and empowerment ensure that frontline workers have the confidence to enforce safety measures.  They want to know that they will be supported by their superiors.

There is a reason that safety is a reoccurring theme in the Main Street Leader newsletter. Regular reminders about safety are crucial. Continuous reinforcement keeps safety at the forefront of everyone's minds while building a culture of responsibility and awareness. Make sure to listen to the full episode for more on prioritizing safety while maintaining exceptional customer service.

If you want to have a safe vacation, then make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. They will help plan your next vacation, making sure you have all the information needed to stay safe and have fun. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Mar 12, 2024

"It's about what can you do, not what you know. A lot of people know a lot, but they can't get anything done."

Key Moments

02:37 Show what you can offer, expertise matters.

06:33 Education and skills matter for job opportunities.

09:11 Early experience crucial, expertise brings further success.

11:44 Overcoming doubts, gaining confidence, finding success.

14:09 Expressing gratitude and encouraging others to create magic.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Do You Need a College Degree to Succeed?

There is often a debate on whether a college degree is necessary for career success. I belive that experience shows expertise and dedication can outweigh paper qualifications. That is how I became an executive at Marriott and Disney without a college degree. Here are three key takeaways from the episode that you won't want to miss:

1. Experience and Expertise Matter: The modern workplace is increasingly valuing skills and expertise over formal degrees. Companies are more interested in what you can bring to the table and how you can contribute to their success. Highlighting your practical knowledge and accomplishments can often carry more weight than a degree on paper.

2. Focus on Creating an Impact: Emphasize to potential employers what you can do for them and how your unique skills and talents can enhance their organization. Crafting a compelling narrative in your cover letter and during interviews, showcasing your value proposition, can make a lasting impression and set you apart from other candidates.

3. Continuous Learning and Growth: While a college degree can certainly open doors, pursuing ongoing learning opportunities, whether through online courses or professional development, can further bolster your credibility and expertise in your chosen field. Keeping pace with industry trends and continuously enhancing your skill set can serve as a powerful asset in your career journey.

The bottom line is that is important that you are showcasing expertise, skills, and experience to potential employers. It's about what you can do, not just what you know. Make sure to listen to this episode for more on keys to success without a college degree. There are plenty of ways you can be showing that success is within reach regardless of formal education.

One group that knows how to help you have a successful vaction is Magical Vacation Planners. They are always on top of the experiences out there. Make sure you reach out to them to help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Mar 5, 2024

"This will take someone from feeling like they know nothing all the way through becoming quite successful. And it is done in such a way that the story itself kept the reader's hearts involved and the teaching was strong."

Key Moments

00:00 Book set in New Orleans teaches sales principles

03:27 Collaboration and Mentorship

09:14 "Fusion Point" combines logic and emotion intentionally

11:21 Using Collaborative Storytelling in Businesss 

13:52 Reframing "No" into Valuable Sales Strategy Lessons

19:45 Personal Beliefs Shape Individual Perceptions of Truth

Connect with Bob and Jeff

Order the Book Streetwise to Saleswise

Bob Burg on LinkedIn

Jeff West on LinkedIn

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Becoming Saleswise

Bob Burg and Jeff West have teamed up to write a new book, "Streetwise to Saleswise: Become Objection Proof and Beat the Sales Blues." They join Jody and I for a conversation on the valuable principles this book teaches about sales, rejection, and overcoming objections. There are many themes in this book that relate to experiences in leadership, management, and customer service. During our conversation we talk a lot about the concept of becoming objection-proof and dispelling the myths of overcoming objections in sales. Here are my 3 key takeaways:

  1. Objection-Proof Selling: Instead of trying to overcome objections, work effectively within the objection. Understand the concern, empathize with the prospect, and collaboratively address the root cause. Empathy and understanding are key.
  2. Fusion Points: Harness the power of fusion points to create positive emotional responses connected with logic. This cultivates loyalty, persistence, and happiness in your prospects or clients.
  3. The Power of Story: Bob and Jeff's collaboration on this parable takes the reader through a transformation from a non-salesperson to a star salesperson. The book weaves together both Bob's and Jeff's teaching on leadership, sales, and emotional connections, making it a valuable resource for anyone in sales.

Make sure to listen to this episode and order their book, "Streetwise to Saleswise", using the link listed. I know it will empower and inspire you to elevate your sales game, build meaningful connections, and achieve success in your professional endeavors. While you're at it, make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. They are great a building meaningful connections and helping you with your vacation endeavors. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

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