Why Seven Disney Business Books?
First, it’s important to set context for why there is such a crazy (impossible) dream to write seven Disney business books.
Secondly, who in their right mind thinks publishing seven Disney Business books is a smart move?
Do you know someone who has done this?
Ever heard of an author who’s done this?
Crazy, right?
Then why would someone dream it up?
And perhaps there could not have been a more challenging time in the last 60 years to think something this bold would work.
The economic tsunami in 2008 and 2009 was instigated when a massive and over-inflated real estate bubble burst – making most people fear for their professional future.
Once the real estate market hit bottom, many people got trapped owning a home worth far less than they owed on the mortgage – there was no way they could sell and pay off their mortgage.
It was ugly.
These unfortunate people thought they had made the greatest financial move of their life but were suddenly in an impossibly hopeless situation.
So 2008 and 2009 was not fertile ground for breakthroughs.
Which begs an interesting question.
When is it a good time to put your dreams on hold?
Do you remember what impossible dreams you were dreaming in 2008?
i do.
There was one i had, and although many years ago, that still feels like yesterday.
Here’s how it serendipitously unfolded at Disney Institute – our conversation played out randomly and innocently.
The conversation began the moment he walked by, “Jeff (James, Disney Institute’s new VP), do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
i asked Jeff, “What percentage of an average family’s children’s movie collection is Disney?”
He said, “Probably 70-80%”
i agreed.
Which led to, “Jeff, see all those business books on Jack’s (Santiago) top shelf?”
“Yes.”
“What if we could do the same thing with Disney Business books? Think of business professionals across the globe. Any country, any industry, any level employee. What if every work bookshelf had 70-80% Disney Institute authored books? Seriously, why not?”
The riff began quickly and ended quickly. There was no need to rattle off 101 titles (yes, an intentional number from a famous Disney movie). Just a few would paint the obvious picture.
“The Disney Approach to Orientation”.
“The Disney Approach to Exceeding Customer Expectations.”
“The Disney Approach to Creating a Clear, Concise, and Compelling Vision.”
“The Disney Approach to Hiring Right-Fit Talent.”
Our conversation didn’t last long. Two busy Disney leaders. One impossible dream. A dream so far out of reach that all you could really do is smile and say, “As soon as we colonize another planet…”
So yeah, seven Disney Business books can seem audacious to anyone who’s never written a book, but to a dreamer and lifetime Disney Cast Member, seven books is really just scratching the surface.
Do you recall when Walt Disney purchased 160 acres in Anaheim and how he quickly outgrew that space?
A decade later he orchestrates the undercover purchase of 43-square miles (27, 443 acres) of snake, alligator, and mosquito-infested swampland in Central Florida and boldly proclaims we will build the Vacation Capital of the World?
Bold is part of our Disney DNA.
Knowing many will question your mental stability because the odds are so unfavorable, you must always believe one of Walt’s most famous statements, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”
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Summary: Seven books seems impossible when in reality, seven books is simply the starting line.
Opportunity: Make dozens of books featuring Disney-insights for every business topic.
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