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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: February, 2025
Feb 26, 2025

"I define creativity as the ability to have an idea. Everyone has a thousand ideas a day. I define innovation as the ability to get the idea done."

Notable Moments

01:02 Career Built on Audacious Ideas

04:57 NASA Sends Buzz Lightyear to Space

06:46 Toolkit for Post-Pandemic Innovation

09:41 Future-Proof Skills Include Creativity & Empathy

19:35 Empathy Insights from Frontline Workers

23:03 Transformative Workshop Experiences

Creativity is not bound by job titles. It thrives where it is allowed to breathe. Duncan Wardle spent over 25 years at Disney, including as former Head of Innovation and Creativity. He believes creativity and innovation are within everyone’s reach, you just have to let them happen. Take a listen to hear how he turned his concept of creativity into a toolkit, making it accessible to every level of an organization. Read my blog for more on how magic is created when everyone is invited to the dream-building process.

Connect with Duncan

https://duncanwardle.com/

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

Travel Guidance

Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Feb 18, 2025

"Customers today really want that speed of answer. They are impressed when people who get back to them quickly and answer their questions."

Video can transform your customer service in ways you might not have imagined. It seems like today speed and personalization are key. I have found that using video for customer support can set you apart from the competition. Read my blog for more from this episode on how video makes it easier to connect with your customers on a personal level. 

Notable Moments

00:37 Addressing Customer Support with Videos

04:57 Effective Communication Through Video

07:14 Using Video for Internal Communication

10:12 Planning for Clear Communication

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

Travel Guidance

Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

 

Feb 11, 2025

"If you have a dream, it you can't just kind of follow it and expect it to happen. You have to chase it aggressively."

Notable Moments

00:46 Collaboration between creative visionaries and operational experts creates a magical experience.

05:33 Guests seek unique experiences and heartwarming stories.

06:37 Imagineers need curiosity, collaboration, teamwork, and business acumen.

10:38 Imagineering offers diverse creative opportunities across 115 disciplines.

13:18 Unexpected delights and special gestures enhance the experience.

17:43 Embracingo new opportunities as an author and speaker.

Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, knows a thing or two about blending creativity and operations to create everyday magic. He joins to talk about transforming dreams into reality through teamwork, storytelling, and surpassing guest expectations. Read the blog for more about blending operations and experience design to create everyday magic.

Connect with Bob Weis

www.bobweis.com

Order the book – Dream Chasing

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

Travel Guidance

Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

 

Feb 4, 2025

When it comes to running a family business, one of the hardest transitions is passing the torch to the next generation. Many founders wrestle with the reality that their successors might not share the same drive or passion. Ultimately, people are the cornerstone of any business transition. Read the blog to hear how leaders can make the people in a family business feel valued and heard by offering meaningful support and success.

Notable Moments

00:57 The Myth of Third Generation Business Decline

03:30 Inheriting Without Passion's Impacts Company Success

09:08 Generational Trends and Values Evolve

11:04 Prioritize Building Relationships Over Immediate Changes

14:29 Focus on Hiring, Training, and Treating People Right

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

Travel Guidance

Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

 

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