Rumor concerning Phil Holmes

[jakeman]

Hopefully this is true even though many are unhappy with him..no one wants to lose their job these days..and when people do, in my opinion it is a sad thing..:shrug:

I agree Dana!

I definately wouldn't want to be an out of work executive in this environment (meaning trying to get another job).

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

You have to look at what power park VPs have. Remember how Jim couldn't do anything of any size for the Epcot 25th? Then look at MK, how do you expect the VP there to get 10 million + refurbs signed. For the people involved in those decisions, you need to go further up the organization chart.

Remember as well that MK has by far the oldest infrastructure. A lot of finance goes into upkeep of things the guest never sees. Doesn't directly help the guest experience, but very neccessary.

Right...So I guess my earlier post said it? That the VP's are pawns for the TDO/WDC execs to work through?

And yeah, I hadn't thought about the infrastructure. I wonder what has been done for it. I know Wishes was recently plussed, perhaps that had to do with it.:shrug:

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.:wave: It's interesting, as always.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I agree Dana!

I definately wouldn't want to be an out of work executive in this environment (meaning trying to get another job).

You could always work for the Michael Scott Paper Company. I hear he's hiring:lol:

 

[wannab@dis]

Right...So I guess my earlier post said it? That the VP's are pawns for the TDO/WDC execs to work through?

And yeah, I hadn't thought about the infrastructure. I wonder what has been done for it. I know Wishes was recently plussed, perhaps that had to do with it.:shrug:

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.:wave: It's interesting, as always.

Interesting... you were told those same things last night -- almost point by point. But, you and others just kept going on about how great it was that someone was losing their job and how MK is falling apart at the seams and it was ALL his fault.

Why not actually think logically about the situation and step back from the self-centered viewpoint? I promise, you will get much more enjoyment from your experiences at the parks without the pessimism. :wave:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Interesting... you were told those same things last night -- almost point by point. But, you and others just kept going on about how great it was that someone was losing their job and how MK is falling apart at the seams and it was ALL his fault.

Why not actually think logically about the situation and step back from the self-centered viewpoint? I promise, you will get much more enjoyment from your experiences at the parks without the pessimism. :wave:

I acknowledged those points last night, I was just interested at the prospect of change.

Ironically, you talk to me about pessimism. I only see you post in threads concerning them. Not being rash, but it's true. And I really don't go to the parks and illicit this commentary from them. I relish every moment I have in the parks.

The only real thing I want is Disney to do is to wow us again with a fantastic product. And before you say that's self centered, it's really not. Many other posters share these views.

 

[jakeman]

The only real thing I want is Disney to do is to wow us again with a fantastic product.

I definitely don't want to jump on a bash EPCOT Explorer bandwagon, but this caught my eye.

You may want Disney to wow you, but are you allowing them to? Perception is 9/10ths of reality.

Also Steve, if I may:

Remember these are things you have READ. And in many cases, they are third, fourth and fifth hand, if you are lucky. There are very few people who really know what goes on right at that level. There are some here, and they may post about it. In the main though, the people that really know whats going on don't publically post. That means a heck of a lot that you read online is chinese whispers and people looking to direct their aggravation at an individual.

This is a very valid point, especially here. People who really know and really can provide good factual information are not going to risk what we here would probably consider a dream job to post. There are of course exception to the rule, but in general those exceptions are also forthcoming with the limitations of their knowledge.

Being skeptical is a very, very, good thing on an internet board. I think with a little bit of research, some well thought-out, well targeted post, and a smattering of half-truths, anyone can pop on here and make us think they have influence and information they don't, all the while never providing any real information.

I'll be honest, everything on the internet is a lie.

 

[joel_maxwell]

It is sad when someone looses their job but like you said it is a business and sometimes the firing is deserved.

In my office the first casualty of the housing downturn happened about 4 weeks before Christmas in 2005. We were all kind of bummed about it but the simple fact was that had this guy been able to perform his job duties correctly and had the skills he claimed to have had he would have still been working for us today. The truth of the matter was that he was simply not good at his job. In a booming economy he could skate by but when it became crunch time he could not cut it.

I am nowhere near as well versed in Disney management personnel as some of the other members here but quite a few of the decisions made by Holmes really left me scratching my head.

these days it is so hard to actually fire someone without documentation proving it is valid. Lawsuit city baby.

I think some members here like to THINK they are well versed in management personel, but in reality, they just jump on the bandwagon. ie. Phil is evil, Jim is a saint. Either, or neither may be true, but a lot of the people posting on the subject really have no idea what they are talking about. I would bet most of the people on the bandwagon couldnt even identify Phil if they were standing right next to him in the park.

True. Ill admit, the only thing i know about him is what i have seen reported here.... which is never concidered the grail, but it is hard not to start believing things. It is human nature.

Alas, we will see i guess.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I definitely don't want to jump on a bash EPCOT Explorer bandwagon, but this caught my eye.

You may want Disney to wow you, but are you allowing them to? Perception is 9/10ths of reality.

Thanks!:lol::lol:

Very true statement. Perception is our view of the world. Please, allow me to assure you that I try to keep an open mind to all that I read, and and experience.

Saying that, when comparing today's WDW to the WDW of several years ago, there is a difference. Although it's my opinion, you can see that there is a difference on the scale of things done in WDW. Maybe it's the times, maybe it's the management, but something has changed. I simply want to see them reverse this and give us a new wave of attractions and projects that wowed us as there were in the 1990's.

And, saying that, there is much in WDW that still "Wows". Spaceship Earth (for the most part!), Reflections of Earth, Wishes, HM Refurb. Disney still knows what they are doing with MANY aspects of operation. They just need to expand these motions.

I certainly hope that was coherent...:lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Also Steve, if I may:
This is a very valid point, especially here. People who really know and really can provide good factual information are not going to risk what we here would probably consider a dream job to post. There are of course exception to the rule, but in general those exceptions are also forthcoming with the limitations of their knowledge.

Being skeptical is a very, very, good thing on an internet board. I think with a little bit of research, some well thought-out, well targeted post, and a smattering of half-truths, anyone can pop on here and make us think they have influence and information they don't, all the while never providing any real information.

I'll be honest, everything on the internet is a lie.

Right. It's hard to sift through all the electronic babble that's posted sometimes (This entire rumor, for a prime example!) but in that, I suppose I should infer a bit more.:lol:

 

[hokielutz]

these days it is so hard to actually fire someone without documentation proving it is valid. Lawsuit city baby.

True. Ill admit, the only thing i know about him is what i have seen reported here.... which is never concidered the grail, but it is hard not to start believing things. It is human nature.

Alas, we will see i guess.

As for point 1.... Top level firings don't necessarily come off as "You're Fired." It will be seen as a mutual parting with some compensation that is kept the shadows in return for a person's resignation. (a silver parachute) I have personally seen this happen, both ways. And the pending departure can be kept quiet until the arrangements are finalized.


And for point 2.... A myth can become a fact in our minds... if it is repeated often enough without something concrete to repudiate it at each instance. So when I see close to a hundred postings about the negatives of Disney upper management, I can admit, here and now, that is who I think of if something happens at Disney that I don't like.

Is it true..... I don't know first or second hand.

Its like politics

 

[hokielutz]

You have to look at what power park VPs have. Remember how Jim couldn't do anything of any size for the Epcot 25th? Then look at MK, how do you expect the VP there to get 10 million + refurbs signed. For the people involved in those decisions, you need to go further up the organization chart.

Remember as well that MK has by far the oldest infrastructure. A lot of finance goes into upkeep of things the guest never sees. Doesn't directly help the guest experience, but very neccessary.

Steve,

I'm not necessarily responding to this post, but to all of your input on this subject in general.

Thank You for keeping things real!

 

[jt04]

What an amazing thread. Without going into details the whole "Lord of the Flies" mentality of some on this board really bothers me. Especially since there is no accountability. Of course this is true of all on line forums these days.

I actually think it is all motivated and stirred up by a few disgruntled middle managers and we are just seeing evidence of a larger power play by employees and also former employees.


Thanks Steve. If I had made the points you have, I'd have been flamed straight to h___. :fork: :lol:

You are very good at making yourself clear.

 

[GothMickey]

Could it be that the person who first said this could know the truth? Maybe he really IS going to be leaving. But, being a high enough executive, they are going to finish laying off those under him. Then, in a month's time, maybe even shorter, a release will come out that Phil Holmes and Disney has decided to part way in a mutual agreement. The announcement will take time so they can work out the financial settlement, his severage package, and the proper wording, making this seem like a mutual agreement.

In a firm I worked in, we had lay offs spread out during the course of 2 days. All the lower level employees were layed off first. Then, once that was done, the managers who layed off their people, were in turn layed off. Basically, they were kept around to soften the blow, as much as they could anyway, to their people. They also were there so they could have their good-byes. This could very well be the case here too.

Not hoping, just saying.

 

[One Lil Spark]

My contacts at the MK at this point say it's not true.

Mine says as far as they know, Phil was at work today...

 

[MousDad]

All the piety and sagacity in this thread is starting to nauseate me a little.

If it was a rumor that wasn't true, so what? I guess Phil's luck continues.

 

[jt04]

All the piety and sagacity in this thread is starting to nauseate me a little.

Who is being pious?

 

[SirGoofy]

Sorry guys. I can't be happy with him staying. I can be flamed or whatever all you want, but has done nothing to help MK.

Maintenance cuts and budget cuts left and right. Now I'm not saying he was behind all of them, but I know he was behind others.

Flame me if you must.

 

[krankenstein]

Sorry guys. I can't be happy with him staying. I can be flamed or whatever all you want, but has done nothing to help MK.

Maintenance cuts and budget cuts left and right. Now I'm not saying he was behind all of them, but I know he was behind others.

Flame me if you must.

I agree with you. :shrug:

 

[jakeman]

Sorry guys. I can't be happy with him staying. I can be flamed or whatever all you want, but has done nothing to help MK.

Maintenance cuts and budget cuts left and right. Now I'm not saying he was behind all of them, but I know he was behind others.

Flame me if you must.

It's not about being happy with him, it's about looking at the larger picture of an actual person losing their job in these (not to be cliche) uncertain time.

For all the compassion that has been shown for middle managers who have been laid off, regardless of their quality of work, there seems to be none for Phil Holmes.

There is disagreeing, even strongly, with decisions a person made, but then there is demonizing to the point that you don't regard them as a person any more. That's the line that, in my opinion, has been crossed with many Disney Executives.

 

[brkgnews]

It is very easy to manage Disney form the safety of a laptop 2000 mile away. It is a considerably different thing to do the job for real.

Quote of the millenium.