A Spirited Perfect Ten

[baymenxpac]

this has to scare the bejeezus out of the skipper:

http://variety.com/2015/digital/new...els-people-would-actually-pay-for-1201520900/

just 35.7 percent said they'd be willing to pay for ESPN in an a la carte TV package. conversely, ABC (66.7%) is the number one channel people would pay for. score a big win for shondra, and a big L for the NFL/lebron james hour.

 

[ChrisFL]

Who said anything about hate?

We're just tired of Orlando paying for the mistakes made in Paris, Hong Kong and God forbid, Shanghai.

We don't get nice things because of poor decisions made elsewhere. And that's a valid criticism.

I think Universal Orlando did great after the mistakes of Paris actually.

 

[ChrisFL]

Employee morale is nowhere near the radar when it comes to Business Process Optimization.

They expect it to be a revolving door anyway. No such thing as lifetime employees or even very long term employees at most places anymore, it seems like.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Employee morale is nowhere near the radar when it comes to Business Process Optimization.

Well on Wall Street, yes but when you look at the product being sold in a Theme Park, its the experience, the guest service and the feeling you get. Disney theme parks are all about selling emotions, something a six sigma can't quantify.

Now when you're prime product is guest service and you slash the benefits and morale of those giving that service, you're going to put out a poor product.

This is just simple stuff. Its not rocket science.

 

[PhotoDave219]

this has to scare the bejeezus out of the skipper:

http://variety.com/2015/digital/new...els-people-would-actually-pay-for-1201520900/

just 35.7 percent said they'd be willing to pay for ESPN in an a la carte TV package. conversely, ABC (66.7%) is the number one channel people would pay for. score a big win for shondra, and a big L for the NFL/lebron james hour.

This is the first NBA finals I've watched. Ever. I watched all the games because it was such a great matchup.

It was the league's two best players and the leagues two best teams going head to head. Very entertaining. I had no emotional investment in either team but it was just fun to watch.

And yes, If I could just get WatchESPN as a Standalone product? I'd get rid of cable in a heartbeat. I can stream everything else and get ABC/NBC over the airwaves.

 

[PhotoDave219]

*Raises hand*

I don't know that. If AK IS becoming the place to go when you are at WDW (ahead of Epcot/DHS), and Avatarland is successful, it's going to need additional capacity improvements sooner, rather than later. Given the time it takes to do anything. Otherwise it will become crammed MK part deux.

EDIT: But I agree we don't have to worry about them, because WDW will have allotted all the AK funds to the current stuff.

The crowd distribution data supports that assertion.

 

[AEfx]

I don't know if Star Wars is gonna break the worldwide box office opening weekend record. Star Wars isn't as popular in some places of the world.

I was actually referring to the general audience make-up, and the nostalgic pull of the film leading to great success. Obviously, Star Wars has that going for it...and then some. Not only the return of an iconic franchise, but also the original actors, etc.

The only prediction I have made is that by this time next year, Avaturd will no longer be the #1 film and will take it's footnote in history as the anomaly that it was - the convergence of an unusually empty box office season, and a new technology that people found exciting to check out (before the audience became so quickly jaded to it). It had no resonance culturally whatsoever.

 

[Nubs70]

What is on it? Because I swear ever transaction I have with a CM takes FOREVER. To do simple, basic things even. They A. aren't confident in what they are doing B. Move with the molasses speed, of oh, crap I have to actually work C. Or even the "good" ones are yakking up a storm so my simple purchase takes 5 minutes because they aren't focused on what service I actually NEED from them at that moment, and want to know all about my day (maybe to cheer up theirs?) as the line stacks up behind. A simple, "enjoying your day, where are you from," fine. But not the hold my item in your hand, not scanning it or taking my money while you pelt me with questions.

Business Process Optimization (BPO) is about reducing all employee activity to a number. If you, a number, does not reach a preset metric you are gone, regardless of skill set or abilities.

In the case of the non paying/ non CM blackout dates, the non paying guest is less value than a paying guest. Therefore, this perk is gone.

In the case of inhouse IT professionals, we can jettison the in-house staff for outsourced staff to save money. In house IT gone.

You example has more to do with training and frontline management. BPO is more strategic/tactical than operational.

 

[AEfx]

http://variety.com/2015/digital/new...els-people-would-actually-pay-for-1201520900/

just 35.7 percent said they'd be willing to pay for ESPN in an a la carte TV package. conversely, ABC (66.7%) is the number one channel people would pay for. score a big win for shondra, and a big L for the NFL/lebron james hour.

I don't find that surprising at all, especially since it's the most expensive channel and we all have to foot the bill for a minority who are obsessed with it.

The ABC thing is funny, though - since ABC is a "free" broadcast network anyway.

 

[Goofyernmost]

That became SOP when companies decided that employees are just liabilities and not assets.

Being an employee doesn't automatically make you an asset. There are many, many liabilities out there. Only those that show initiative and drive become assets. Just because someone pays you something doesn't make you valuable. I can pay money for a worthless piece of stone or money for gold, which one is an asset. Until they produce an employee is nothing more then an expense. It doesn't matter what we think of ourselves concerning it, we do not make that determination for them. Those that spend time talking with friends, show no interest or motivation for doing the job that they agreed to do are not of any value other then a warm body that they are getting the minimum of return from. No one really has to look very far to find out which one they are... simply look in a mirror and ask yourself, if I were running this place, how would I measure an employee's worth? Just showing up is not enough.

 

[Shaman]

I can say my experience was also the same during my MBA classes. The problem will arise once you try to apply this revived ethical focus while reporting to those with diminished ethical focus. I still haven't figured that out yet. I think this is a generational issue that will be around for a long time.

I get the impression, younger folks are bit more ethical in the traditional sense. Millenials seem much interested in ethics than Gen X. Definitely generational, but at which point will Boomers and Gen Xers move out or be moved out of the way?

 

[Nubs70]

Well on Wall Street, yes but when you look at the product being sold in a Theme Park, its the experience, the guest service and the feeling you get. Disney theme parks are all about selling emotions, something a six sigma can't quantify.

Now when you're prime product is guest service and you slash the benefits and morale of those giving that service, you're going to put out a poor product.

This is just simple stuff. Its not rocket science.

This is why BPO initiatives need to be practiced within the context of the business that is being optimized. Kind of what the Disney Institute professes but P&R does not practice. P&R appears to practice textbook BPO when they should practice a style of BPO that is tailored to theme parks.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not to hijack your point, but this makes me wonder how Vekoma could set this up. I figured Disney would have patented the living daylights out of the Soarin' system. How close to the original could a clone be and not get into an infringement kerfuffle?

Patents protect a specific process, not a general idea. Disney can patent how Soarin' technically functions, but not the idea of a flying theater. Brogent (whose system Vekoma sells) uses a different system. Even Dynamic Attractions, which built the Soarin' ride systems for Disney, offers their own, different take on the flying theater that operates in different ways from Disney's or Brogent's.

Don't forget the shoddy workmanship!

No, no, not take over.

However, Disney is the minority partner. The majority partner essentially is the world's largest Communist government.

Business partners have disagreements all the time. Sometimes, they even take their partners to court to settle those disputes.

In the case of Disney/China, who do you think is going to win every dispute?

Prior to this venture, corporate Disney always was careful to retain control over its ventures, even in the days of Roy & Walt when it was a much smaller company. Now China is the 800 pound gorilla in the room; Disney is along for the ride.

Yep. And totally different situation.
Despite not owning a single bit of the TDR, Disney can hold and enforce the OLC to much higher standards for quality and showmanship than it practices in all the parks it either owns outright or owns a large percentage of. And if there is a disagreement, then democratic legal institutions would deal with that if an agreement couldn't be reached by the two parties.

You can't compare it to China, unless you admit to comparing tangerines to Toyotas.

Disney is apparently holding the [more than likely] state-owed LDI to enforce its much higher standards for construction quality. How is that not Disney winning a dispute with the state?

 

[Nubs70]

I get the impression, younger folks are bit more ethical in the traditional sense. Millenials seem much interested in ethics than Gen X. Definitely generational, but at which point will Boomers and Gen Xers move out or be moved out of the way?

My quandary is how millennials will last to make it to the top. If you are working for lesser ethical superiors, you will have to have taken on the lesser ethical traits in order to remain and be considered for executive leadership.

 

[AEfx]

I get the impression, younger folks are bit more ethical in the traditional sense. Millennials seem much interested in ethics than Gen X. Definitely generational, but at which point will Boomers and Gen Xers move out or be moved out of the way?

They are also incredibly idealistic - almost to a Ned Stark-liability-level. Young = idealism has always gone hand in hand, but with the Millennials the issue is that they do not generally understand how the real world works until it's too late and it's smacked them upside the head.

They have been coddled and coo'd their entire lives, told that they are the most important people in the Universe, everyone deserves a trophy for just trying, and that certain ideals deserve a fascist-like response if anyone dare challenge any notion or tries to show even the slightest shade of gray. They are the most black and white generation in modern history - and it's scary.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Being an employee doesn't automatically make you an asset. There are many, many liabilities out there. Only those that show initiative and drive become assets. Just because someone pays you something doesn't make you valuable. I can pay money for a worthless piece of stone or money for gold, which one is an asset. Until they produce an employee is nothing more then an expense. It doesn't matter what we think of ourselves concerning it, we do not make that determination for them. Those that spend time talking with friends, show no interest or motivation for doing the job that they agreed to do are not of any value other then a warm body that they are getting the minimum of return from. No one really has to look very far to find out which one they are... simply look in a mirror and ask yourself, if I were running this place, how would I measure an employee's worth? Just showing up is not enough.

I agree... which is why Disney should be more discerning with who they choose for their front line guest service and train them accordingly. People who are simply not interested in performing guest service at Disney's level should go find a different career.

If they want to attract quality, they're going to have to invest in it a little. Or at least invest in the training and being able to weed people out.

 

[AEfx]

I agree... which is why Disney should be more discerning with who they choose for their front line guest service and train them accordingly. People who are simply not interested in performing guest service at Disney's level should go find a different career.

If they want to attract quality, they're going to have to invest in it a little. Or at least invest in the training and being able to weed people out.

That's the rub, though - very few make a "career" at Disney because unless you are one of the select few going into management, they only pay wages a teenager could sustain on.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Being an employee doesn't automatically make you an asset. There are many, many liabilities out there. Only those that show initiative and drive become assets. Just because someone pays you something doesn't make you valuable. I can pay money for a worthless piece of stone or money for gold, which one is an asset. Until they produce an employee is nothing more then an expense. It doesn't matter what we think of ourselves concerning it, we do not make that determination for them. Those that spend time talking with friends, show no interest or motivation for doing the job that they agreed to do are not of any value other then a warm body that they are getting the minimum of return from. No one really has to look very far to find out which one they are... simply look in a mirror and ask yourself, if I were running this place, how would I measure an employee's worth? Just showing up is not enough.

How well would WDW work without employees?

Then they are an essential asset, and shouldn't be treated like they do nothing but cost the company money.

I really hate that corporate mindset.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

That's the rub, though - very few make a "career" at Disney because unless you are one of the select few going into management, they only pay wages a teenager could sustain on.

Disney gets what it pays for. Which are people one step above homeless.

 

[Nubs70]

Being an employee doesn't automatically make you an asset. There are many, many liabilities out there. Only those that show initiative and drive become assets. Just because someone pays you something doesn't make you valuable. I can pay money for a worthless piece of stone or money for gold, which one is an asset. Until they produce an employee is nothing more then an expense. It doesn't matter what we think of ourselves concerning it, we do not make that determination for them. Those that spend time talking with friends, show no interest or motivation for doing the job that they agreed to do are not of any value other then a warm body that they are getting the minimum of return from. No one really has to look very far to find out which one they are... simply look in a mirror and ask yourself, if I were running this place, how would I measure an employee's worth? Just showing up is not enough.

In the world of BPO, all employees are liabilities no matter your personal ROI. BPO seeks to find the most liabilities that can be removed while producing a marginally acceptable product or service.