7 Important Business Insights from the Granddaddy of Animation

Judy Caroll

To the eyes of the world, Walt Disney may have been an innovator.  But he was more than that. He was a leader that created not just an entertainment empire, but a legacy that can last us a lifetime.

For the B2B industry, Disney’s cult of personality that cherishes the virtues of friendship, family, and personal development provide a better understanding of attaining success in aspects such as sales and marketing.

New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Shep Hyken lists the seven important insights we in the B2B marketing field can learn from Disney’s immortal legacy.

If you can dream it you can do it.

–Walt Disney 

One of the most famous Disney quotes, and great advice for anyone getting into business – and anyone who is trying to solve a customer’s problem. Sometimes it takes creativity to make a customer happy.

Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.

–Rapunzel (Tangled)

The best companies empower their employees to make good customer-focused decisions. Unfortunately, there are many that are afraid to do so, mostly because they are worried that their employees might make bad decisions. For those companies, it’s time to venture out of your comfort zone and empower your employees. Start by training employees to make good decisions, and if they make a bad judgement call, use it as a training opportunity. With the right training and management, you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll create the empowered workforce – and feel comfortable about what used to make you feel uncomfortable.

Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.

–Rafiki (The Lion King)

This is a perfect follow-up quote to the last one. No doubt our employees will make mistakes. And some of them, while painful, will be learning opportunities in disguise. Embrace the past to help you and your employees grow in the future.

A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.

–Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh)

Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Show empathy, sympathy and consideration. It goes a long way to building a relationship with your customer.

The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.

–Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Attitude is everything. At work, and in life, we’re faced with problems every day. And, it’s the same for our customers. Our attitudes about our customers’ problems can turn angry customers into loyal evangelists.

Just because it’s what’s done, doesn’t mean it’s what should be done.

–Cinderella (Cinderella)

Perhaps this is one of the earliest quotes about innovative thinking, and it came from Cinderella! You don’t always have to do things just because they’ve always been done that way. Once again I’m using that word, “empowerment.” If you empower employees to come up with creative solutions to problems, you’ll be amazed at the results.

Always let your conscience be your guide.

–The Blue Fairy, although many think it was Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)

Okay, this really isn’t about customer service, but it is one of my favorite Disney quotes. It’s a rule to live by, and the message is simple: Do the right thing.

This post originally appeared at 7 Important Business Insights from the Granddaddy of Animation

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