Walt Disney: life, legacy, and cultural impact

Walt Disney

Employees Benefits and Motivational Stories

The objective of this work is to answer the questions of: (1) What explicit rewards and status symbols are used to motivate employees of Walt Disney? (2) Are there any stories, legends or myths that are familiar to employees and customers of Walt Disney?

At this point in time employee benefits are under a great examination and applied focus. While there are many recommendations as to the benefits an employer should ethically provide to employees those of Walt Disney are interesting in terms of their effectiveness and motivational qualities. "Recognition works. It should be a critical component of your business." Patrick (2004) it is critically important for managers is the company's ability to not only attract but to retain good employees. Recognition is a tool for leadership and is effective in retaining employees. Recognition builds an individuals' self-esteem and is know to reinforce behaviors that are desires and makes contribution for satisfaction on the job and pride in relation to work done well. Finally recognition promotes the individual employee's "empowerment and involvement, and creates loyalty to the company." (Patrick, 2004)

Disney's Patrick (2004) states that: Strategies for recognition should mesh with the organizations strategic initiatives involving employees in the design and implementation process and should be based on "performance and fairness" through the allowance of a "cross-functional, multi-level group of individuals" in making determination of the recognition recipients. According to Disney and stated by Patrick (2004) "A recognition program does not have to be expensive. The structure of a recognition program is limited only by your imagination. An effective program contains two components: (1) Fairness (2) High visibility and consistency. One reward given by Walt Disney is the "Fred Reward." Stated is that one of Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida's 180 programs of recognition is called the Spirit of Fred Award. This award was first given to a Walt Disney employee named Fred who was "taught the values for necessary success at Disney." Stated in the article is that these lessons "helped to inspire the award, in which the name Fred became an acronym for friendly, resourceful, enthusiastic and dependable. First given as a lark, the award has come to be highly coveted in the organization. Fred makes each award -- a certificate mounted on a plaque-as well as the Lifetime Fred Award, a bronze statuette of Mickey Mouse given to multiple recipients of the Spirit of Fred Award." Walt Disney employees make and relive each day organizational stories and legends which serve as a reminder that there was a certain way that Walt Disney wanted thing to be done. There are legends and myths about Walt Disney as well which add to the excitement of being employed by the Walt Disney Corporation. (Mickkelson, 2003)