Walt Disney World Controlled Environment and the Employees they Hire

Introduction

The Walt Disney Company is an entertainment services company. It is a giant in the industry with theme parks, feature film studios, animation studios, television broadcasting, resorts and hotels, and retail stores.

The Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is one of the world's most diversified entertainment business organizations. Disney's leading business segments consist of Creative Contents (consumer products operations, filmed entertainment activities not related to broadcasting, etc.), Broadcasting (ABC television and radio networks, etc.), and Theme Parks & Resorts (Disneyland Parks, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, etc.).

The company produces animated motion pictures, books and magazines, videos, computer-game software and live animation (Rukstad & Collis, pp.174). The company distributes its products primarily through its own sales and marketing channels around the world. The company had about 85,000 employees worldwide and had annual revenues in excess of $ 25 billion in 2001. The corporate headquarters of the company is located in Burbank, California.

Discussion

The leaders of the organization have the responsibility for creating a high level of job satisfaction. Dr. Edwards Deming said, "The aim of leadership should be to improve the performance of man and machine, to improve quality, to increase output, and simultaneously to bring pride of workmanship to people."

A motivating environment is one that gives workers a sense of pride in what they do. To show supervisors and managers how to build a more productive work environment, I've created a five-step process called the PRIDE system. Leaders can improve employee motivation and employee engagement within their organizations by following this process (Lodorfos & Boateng, pp.1405):

Provide a positive working environment;

Reward and recognition;

Involve and increase employee engagement;

Develop the skills and potential of your workforce; and

Evaluate and measure job satisfaction.

Step 1-Provide a Positive Working Environment

Job satisfaction begins by first providing a positive work environment. Fran Tarkenton says, to find what motivates people, "you have to find what turns people on." This is the most important factor in the process. A motivating working environment requires going over and beyond the call of duty and providing for the needs of the worker.

Walt Disney World Company provides an excellent work environment for their employees or "cast members." Employee assistance centers are spread strategically across the theme park. Some of the services included employee discount programs, childcare information, money orders, postage stamps, check cashing, and bus passes. The Walt Disney Company realizes that taking care of their employee's needs keep them motivated, on the job and loyal to the company (Bodden, p.74).

Step 2-Reward, Reinforcement and Recognition

Mark Twain once said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment." Personal recognition is a powerful tool in building morale and motivation. A pat on the back, a personal note from a peer or a supervisor does wonders. Small, informal celebrations are many times more effective than a once a quarter or once a year formal event.

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