(As published in Tempo magazine, May 2012) By Ian Mason
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”
If any entrepreneur is looking for inspiration for their business, they should look no further than a man who died in 1966 but whose business wisdom will endure for decades – Walter Elias Disney, better known as Walt Disney.
Disney once said, “We allow no geniuses around our studio”. Well Walt, I respectfully beg to differ.
A man of vision
Walt Disney was a genius; in fact, 46 years after his death, he still is a genius. He understood better than almost everyone else the keys to business success. Along with Henry Ford and Henry Heinz, Disney was one of the greatest entrepreneurs of his era…indeed, any era.
Unlike current motivators like Anthony Robbins and Stephen Covey, Disney didn’t need a platform, an audience and some DVDs to build an empire. He just honed some simple yet powerful business philosophies that are as relevant today as when he first uttered them.
Providing inspiration
In fact, some of the most inspirational business messages can be found with a simple Google search. Just type in ‘Walt Disney quotes’ and you’ll find gems like these:
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
“Somehow I can’t believe there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C’s. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy and the greatest of these is Confidence. When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.”
Customer focus
I once read that the last thing all front-of-house employees at Disneyland see before they enter the public arena is a sign that says ‘Smile, you’re about to go on stage’. (I hope this is true because I have been using it in my training for years!)
Disney understood that, in business, we are all actors playing a role, and customers are the audience for our greatest ever performances. This in itself is a magical business lesson.
Final curtain
Of all the aspirational messages Disney offered, there is one in particular that resonates highly for me. “You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
So, Mr Disney, there was a genius around your studio. It was you.
Business lessons from Walt Disney:
Getting Started
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Customer satisfaction
“We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.”
Dreams
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Improvement
“Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.”
Competition
“I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.”
Life Balance
“A man should never neglect his family for business.”
Courage
“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage.”
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
