Recently our Government Advisory Coordinator Xely Martinez was invited to check out Walt Disney World's Disney Institute, which now offers classes in Spanish and Portuguese. Her class, “Perspectiva de Disney en Excelencia Empresarial,” marks Disney Institute's first ever class in Spanish. Xely says it was inspiring to learn how Disney applies their leadership principles across every part of their organization and how any business can implement them.
That this program is now being offered in Spanish and Portuguese expands its reach to more diverse business communities. This initiative is a powerful reflection of Disney’s commitment to inclusion and its mission to create happiness with a big heart. Many of the attendees at this first Spanish-language class were business leaders and owners from across Central Florida and Latin America. The class is appropriate for everyone from CEOs to small business owners. Business owners can learn a lot from the program about how Disney does things and adapt that knowledge to their own businesses of any size.
After two incredible days filled with insights on how to achieve business excellence, Xely was inspired to learn that "you don't have to be a CEO to create real impact; change can start from wherever you are!"
Find info on Disney Institute's Spanish and Portuguese programming HERE and other Disney Institute classes HERE.
See some photos from Xely's experience below, then scroll down to read our original blog about our Disney Institute experiences back in 2022.
This summer, members of The Osceola Chamber staff enjoyed professional development classes at The Disney Institute. In groups of two, staff took part in four-day courses on Disney’s Approach to Quality Service and Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence.
The Disney Institute offers these courses, as well as Disney’s Approach to Employee Engagement, on-site at Walt Disney World as four-day experiential programs. Disney promotes their Approach Series as an opportunity to “Explore a holistic perspective of how Disney leaders approach a specific business topic and begin applying these principles to your own efforts.” Throughout the four days, Chamber staff members learned about the processes implemented by Disney to set up their Cast Members and leadership teams for success and position them to provide the world-class service for which Disney is known. The classes were small – 13 to 30 people in our experiences – with two instructors who were well-versed in all aspects of Disney operations. The course was guided by an interactive workbook and included opportunities to work with classmates from a variety of industries (everything from Space Force to daycare) and all over the world. Trips to the four Walt Disney World theme parks and creative video content helped bring the material to life.
In Disney’s own words, “Disney Parks and Resorts act as living laboratories, integrating your in-class exploration of Disney methods with first-hand observations in the field. Our daily operations bring the Disney approach to life in real time, so we can inspire practical applications that you can take back to your own team or organization.”
Chamber President John Newstreet noted that these courses provided the Chamber team with new ideas for improving and implementing new processes that will impact our consistency, service, and environment.
Said Sue Ring, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, “My participation in Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence was a thought-provoking, insightful experience that provided a fresh approach to fundamentals of leadership. Through field experiences, tabletop discussions, and small group exercises, the curriculum showcased the value of defining, establishing, operationalizing, and sustaining a strategic approach to leadership excellence. I left with a better understanding of how I can strengthen and empower my Chamber teammates and organization.”
The Disney Institute also offers courses at other locations around the country, online versions of their courses to be experienced from your own office or home, and customizable courses just for your team. You can learn more at disneyinstitute.com.
Christina was raised in St. Cloud and holds degrees from the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. She joined the Chamber in April 2015. As Director of Administration, she manages the Area Council’s events, sub-committee meetings, projects, and board engagements.
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