Disney Institute Launches New Professional Development Opportunities
Programs Now Travel to Client Locations Around the World
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (August 1, 2008) – Your customer service scores are
down. Your employee turnover is up. What are you going to do next? You’re
going to Disney, of course. Now you can even bring Disney to your organization.
The Disney Institute, one of the world’s premiere professional development
organizations, is taking its renowned expertise to client headquarters and
branch locations around the world.
The idea of going "on the road" with best practices from Disney theme parks
and resorts is new for the Disney Institute, which has been providing professional
development programs at the Walt Disney World Resort for more than 20 years.
But the concept has quickly become a popular one.
"We’ve found that great ideas travel well," said George Aguel, senior vice
president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and leader of the Disney Institute.
"Now, with Disney resort destinations around the globe, an ever-increasing
number of organizations are asking us to bring our professional development
programs to their locations."
Disney Institute is responding to client demand by offering a broad range
of options. "Our consultants can work with client organizations to create
in-depth programs customized to help address specific business needs and goals,"
Aguel said. "We also provide engaging workshops for leadership teams and dynamic
keynotes that resonate with all levels of the organization."
The Disney Institute client roster leads like an international "Who’s Who"
of organizations. More than half of the Fortune 100 companies have turned
to Disney for new ideas in leadership, customer service, people management,
brand loyalty and inspiring creativity, as have a wide range of non-profits
and government entities.
Miami-Dade County Aviation Department is one of several organizations from
the aviation industry that has engaged the Disney Institute. "Miami International
Airport is the gateway to Latin America and provides millions of people with
their first impression of our city," said Dickie Davis, Division Director,
Terminal Operations and Customer Service for the Aviation Department. "We
asked the Disney Institute to create a series of programs that would help us
better serve our traveling public. This was an airport-wide initiative, and
included participants from the airport, our airlines, vendors and other airport
partners. We knew we could learn lessons from Disney, but I think we were
all surprised at how much of that learning applied directly to all the different
businesses that are part of the airport experience."
Davis and her colleagues took what they learned to heart. The airport recently
captured the number six position (up from number 14 in 2007) on J.D. Powers’
annual survey of passenger satisfaction. The 2008 North America Airport Satisfaction
Study measured overall customer satisfaction with airport accessibility; baggage
claim; check-in/baggage check process; terminal facilities; security check;
and food and retail services.
Since it began taking programs to its clients, Disney Institute consultants
and facilitators have been traveling the globe. From Asia and Africa to Europe
and South America, Disney provides training and professional development to
a broad cross-section of businesses and industries, including healthcare, financial
services, insurance, manufacturing and retail.
Disney Institute began offering professional development programs in 1986
and has become one of the most recognized names in the training industry.
Offsite programs are the latest addition to the Disney portfolio. A full range
of programs are available exclusively at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.
These include immersive professional development experiences offered throughout
the year for individual registration, behind-the-scenes tours and teambuilding
programs. Similar programs are available upon request at Disneyland Resort
Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland.
To learn more about bringing the Disney Institute to your organization, call
(321) 939-4600 or visit the Disney Institute Web site at disneyinstitute.com.
Disney Institute is the professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company created to showcase "the business behind the magic" – Disney best practices that easily adapt to any other organization. One of the most recognized names in professional development, Disney Institute travels the world offering engaging seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as fully customized programming. Immersive learning experiences are also offered at Disney destinations in the US, France and Asia. These programs enable participants to go behind the scenes around the world, Disney Institute programs are available for presentation at client sites or for groups meeting at Disney destinations around the world. Unique in the world of training, Disney Institute programs offer firsthand insights into the Disney approach to leadership, service, loyalty, people management and organizational creativity.
For more information, please contact:
Terry Brinkoetter
Public Relations Director
(404) 685-8438 (Atlanta, Ga.)
terry.brinkoetter@disney.com