The end of a month, a season, and a year all mark a natural time for reflection as well as an opportunity to set goals and start anew. Like the coming of age, leadership is a process of growth that requires constant adjustment.So, with the opportunity for a fresh start before you, take a moment to consider what you’re doing well and should continue to do, and what might present an opportunity for change. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:Surrender: The subject of this Forbes article, Contributor Mike Myatt points out how a focus on control in a leadership role “restricts potential, limits initiative, and inhibits talent.”  Leaders who surrender their control and place their attention on communit …… Continue reading →

When it comes to the customer service experience, why simply meet expectations when you can exceed them?At Disney, we call this the “wow factor." There is one thing that every guest brings with them when they visit Disney Parks and Resorts, very high expectations. Tom Peters, co-author of the best-selling book In Search of Excellence, once said, “wowing guests means not only meeting preconceived notions of what a Disney vacation or film or toy should be, but exceeding them.”Many companies wow their customers on occasion, but at Disney, exceeding guests’ expectations is the standard call of duty. From the restaurant hostess that is willing to leave her post to guide you to your destination to the cashier who takes the time to recommend a free boat ride back to your hotel and offers a map to the dock, you can see the standard in action each and every day.If you are unsure how to begin calculating your wow factor, start adding up the little wows, even if the …… Continue reading →

Whether your organization is a startup or an established player, hiring the right team can mean the difference between making it and breaking it. In a recent article, a Forbes contributor and business owner offered five tips for building a exceptional team.1. Hire people "better than you." Know your strengths and weaknesses and find people who can fill those holes.2. Recognize aptitude and attitude in potential hires. A balance between the two needs to be struck.3. Use happiness as a motivating factor. You’ve found the person you want to hire, how can you get them to join your team? Offer potential hires a higher happiness quotient than they’ve been offered elsewhere. Happy people = productive people.To ensure a more seamless transition, some businesses keep a file of potential qualified candidates should one of their team members depart their current position. Were interested to know your team-building tips. How do you hire the best and …… Continue reading →

Social media provides the perfect platform for lasting relationships with customers and brands. In a recent article for Social Media Today, a contributor listed some key tips to remember on how a powerful social media presence can transform fans and followers into brand enthusiasts.1. Continuously ListenSocial media is great for online marketing but your business must also act as a continuous listener. With 24/7 access to your brand, if a fan or follower tweets to you or posts a question on your Facebook wall, they are looking for a response – and a fast one at that.2. Quality InteractionSocial media provides an ideal platform for interaction. The best way to foster relationships between consumer and brand is to have a clear understanding of your voice. Make sure you listen to your target audience and understand exactly what they are looking for.3. Provide a Helping HandFans and followers won’t hesitate to ask questions or …… Continue reading →

Think of words you might associate with creativity? Words like color, discovery and imagination may come to mind. Now consider this word: structure.It may seem like more of an antonym than a supporting characteristic.The reality of time, money and talent is that they are limited. As such, structural systems can serve as a foundation for which an idea can be created and a catalyst to the evolution of the creative process. Ask yourself several questions:1. What are the processes in place for the the creation, development and execution of an idea? (Yes, you can plan to be creative!)2. Who is accountable for timelines, budget parameters, strategy alignment, etc.?3. Am I managing the project in a way that will allow me to measure my results?Tell us your thoughts — When you know you have to develop a creative concept, how to you "plan" to be creative? What systems or processes support this plan?Continue reading →

In today’s business environment, change is guaranteed and constant. To survive and thrive, a leader cannot merely react to change; he or she must anticipate change and proactively plan for it. The Leadership Excellence Model begins with a very simple definition: a leader is anyone who influences change.There are four key functions each leader must perform in order to facilitate change:• Envision the FutureCreate a picture of the change that needs to occur and communicate your vision with a passion.• Organize the OperationIdentify what needs to get done to bring about the change and put the right people in place to execute.• Engage the TeamActively involve people in the work and let them take ownership of their contribution to the change.• Commit to ResultsPut accountability measures in place to ensure progress is made toward t …… Continue reading →

Jeff Williford has held positions in every aspect of The Walt Disney Company since becoming a Cast Member 13 years ago as a part of the opening team at DisneyQuest, an indoor interactive theme park. From Operations, to Guest Relations, to Entertainment; Jeff has observed applications of brand loyalty throughout the company.“As a Disney Cast Member I am a Brand Ambassador. We represent the brand in everything we do."As a Disney Institute facilitator, Jeff has delivered programs, including Disney’s Approach to Brand Loyalty, around the world. From Cape Town, South Africa to New Delhi, India, across the United States and to groups of 1,000+ people, Jeff has provided organizations with time-tested best practices for strengthening brand loyalty based on the business insights of The Walt Disney Company.Jeff believes in the value of brand loyalty, regardless of industry, because of its ability to create an emotional bond with the customer and, in turn, that custo …… Continue reading →