Disney Institute – How Twitter Made the Difference

Proudly displaying the BusinessWeek.com article

I was doing my early morning ritual of checking twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc, etc, etc.

While making my pit stop on twitter to @Disney Institute, I noticed their shout-out looking for people who had attended a Disney Institute workshop and wanted to talk about their experience.

Well I knew I loved to talk about my experience but was there anything a small business owner in Indiana had to say that was worth telling a Fortune 100 company?

I have to tell you, I am so glad I faced that little insecurity.

Before I knew it, I was having a laid-back  telephone interview with a delightful woman from the Disney Institute.  Just discussing what I learned and how I adapted it to my business.  Simple, sweet, and no guarantees that our conversation would be used.

Fast forward to Wednesday Dec 2, I was checking my emails as I all to often do, and there it was ” The Google Alert.”    There was something about this google alert that just looked different.  What could it be?  I was one “double-click” away from my 15 minutes of  BusinessWeek.com fame .

Lessons learned –  sign up for google alerts, face your insecurities and don’t underestimate the power of this thing called “social media”.

Check out some of my favorite sites in alphabetical order to avoid playing favorites !!

Adventures with Ben ~ click here

BusinessWeek.com ~ click here

Disney Institute ~ click here

It’s All About the Customer ~ click here

junglejeff.net ~ click here

Mid Life Celebration ~ click here

Open Mike ~ click here

The Disney Driven Life ~ click here

ValpoLife.com ~ click here

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I really appreciate it and have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me: I believe in the Law of Attraction.

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Disney Institute – The Disney Difference

The children were tired, hungry and needed a break. We decided to try the restaurant at our Disney World resort in Old Key West called Olivia’s. In predictable fashion we were greeted promptly and escorted to our table.

While looking over the menu, our server came to the table and gave my granddaughter Reese, then 6 years old, a coloring page and crayons to occupy her time.  Although a welcomed distraction, it was not unlike many restaurants that offer children the same.

Half way through our meal, the server noticed the coloring was completed and politely asked Reese if he could have it, we assumed to be displayed on the restaurant wall.  Wow, that was unique, most restaurants just expect you take your masterpiece home.

What happened next is a prime example of the Disney Difference….

Shortly before finishing our dessert, the server came to our table and presented Reese with a personalized certificate and told her she had been chosen  “Artist of the Day”.  Well let me tell you, I had to use the wide-angle lens to capture her smile.

As if this was not magical enough, while leaving we noticed that her “art work” was framed and visible for all to see at the check-in counter.  Now even I was bursting with pride.

In my next post, I will discuss how we adapted this into our small business in Indiana and how it lead to our business being mentioned in BusinessWeek.com. (Click here)

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I learned to water ski on my very first try (many years ago).

The magic and enthusiasm of the Disney Institute workshop is over, now what? This blog is about exactly that,  for a small bulk mail business in Indiana. Click Here.

Disney Institute is Alive and Well in a Neighborhood Near You

The Disney Institute is alive and well and coming to Indianapolis on September 28, 2010.  To find out more click here.

Whether you tune into a Disney Institute WebCast, attend a workshop in your city, or immerse yourself in a multi-day program at a Disney Destination, the lessons are rooted in the time-tested visions and ideals of Walt Disney. As you “experience the business behind the magic,” you’ll discover  innovative training methods focused on three key program outcomes: Knowledge, Comprehension, and Application. These outcomes will clearly illustrate ways that you can adapt and apply these lessons into your organization. (excerpt from Disney Institute Website)

There are so many different options that it would be hard to discuss them all here, so I have included some easy links to more information about the Disney Institute Programs.

Disney Institute home page

D.I. Events

D.I. Locations

D.I. Pricing

D.I. Topics

D.I. Formats

If you have a hunger for all things Disney, I urge you to sign up for one of their world-class programs.  You will not be disappointed.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me: I struggle with exercise.

Popcorn in Paradise

2010 Kernel's Kup Award

 

Follow-up from Disney Institute – 76 Trombones.  2010 Parade them is Popcorn in Paradise.  

For those of you that read my previous post, we are proud to report that we just won the “Kernels Kup” award in the 2010 Valparaiso Popcorn Parade.   Another day of great memories.  

Have a wonder-filled day,  

Donna Flanagin  

Random me:  New York cherry ice cream is my favorite.  

The magic and enthusiasm of the Disney Institute workshop is over, now what? This blog is about exactly that,  for a small bulk mail business in Indiana.

Disney Institute – 76 Trombones

The Blueprint

Excitement is in the air. The street is lined with lawn chairs, blankets, strollers, eager children and everyone is straining to get the first glimpse of the approaching parade.   The scene is the same whether in rural Indiana or Orlando Florida.  Who doesn’t love a parade?

After attending the Disney Institute workshop, I re-evaluated the impact participating in a hometown parade could have on a local business.  How often do you have a captive audience of  thousands of onlookers, all waiting to see “you” ?  There is no question that it requires a commitment of time and money but how can you put a price on creating memories?

In 1979 Valparaiso gave birth to the first Popcorn Festival and Parade inspired by Orville Redenbacher, a Valparaiso native who became a household name with his very own brand of popcorn? 

Fast forward  to 2009, the theme for the parade is “Celebrate Valparaiso”.  It is our third time participating in the parade and we needed a float theme.  While looking through our vacation photos we realized that the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade could be the blueprint.   It was perfect.

With the creative brilliance of my daughter Erica, 7 gallons of colorful paint, carpet padding, carpet roll tubes,  hula hoops, vinyl flooring, cardboard boxes, lamp shades, and of course popcorn, my favorite float, to date, was born.

Our Interpretation

Check out the "centerpiece"

Doug's 1937 !!

We won the 2009  “Kernels Kup ” Award.

Stay tuned to find out if we can win an award for our wacky interpretation of this year’s theme “Popcorn in Paradise”.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random Me: I moved to Valparaiso IN in 1978.

The magic and enthusiasm of the Disney Institute workshop is over, now what? This blog is about exactly that,  for a small bulk mail business in Indiana.