One day during my internet “wanderings” I noticed an interesting advertisement at the top of a page I was reading. It had the Disney logo on it, but for something I’d never heard of, a branch of the company called “D’Think.” Curious, I clicked on the ad to find out more about it. And that’s how I learned about the Disney Institute.
When I first saw the phrase “Disney Institute” my mind went to all sorts of wonderful, if obviously fictional, places. A Disney-themed school perhaps, studying my favorite subject of myth and modern media in a tree-surrounded, cobblestone-covered building with architecture reminiscent of the bucolic settings from Disney’s many fairy tales.
But of course that’s not what the Disney Institute is at all. It took awhile for me to cut around all the “business speak,” but I eventually discovered that the Disney Institute is Disney’s sort of corporate strategy lesson program, and D’Think is their catchphrase for what they teach.
If you’re in the position of needing to build a new corporate model, either if you’re starting your own business from the ground or in charge of giving yours an overhaul, and you admire the stratagems of the Walt Disney Corporation, then the Disney Institute was created for you. Basically, you can sign up to have professionals from Disney Corporate teach you how to follow their successful business strategy.
I know that most of you reading this don’t need to D’Think (and I don’t blame you, because the grammarian at me winces whenever I see that “word”), but I thought I’d point it out for those who might, or who know those who might. It does all seem a bit silly, but it’s not so much when I think about it.
Forbes Magazine recently rated Walt Disney Co. the third most reputable company in the world (something I’ll examine more at a later date). So despite the many qualms I might have personally about the current direction of Disney’s corporate strategy, it looks like there might not be many better companies from which to get business advice.
A trip to the Disney Institute web site provides interested parties with case studies elucidating how the Disney Institute has helped its customer companies, and gives readers the opportunity to sign up with one of DI’s two options: a public or private program.
A public program is a session for smaller groups, from 1-9 people, and a private program is for larger teams. Public programs are held at various locations across the country, for which multiple companies can register. Businesses send their teams of 1 or more to a Disney Institute Public Program and they get together for a session DI gives to multiple teams from various companies. In contrast, a private program is set up by DI for just the group from an individual company.
Though the Disney Institute web site does not provide many details on what, exactly, happens at a session, I’m assuming the whole thing is essentially a tutorial in how to run a company based on the Disney business model.
Like I said earlier, one definitely cannot dispute the success of Walt Disney Corp. as a conglomerate, so if you’re looking to improve upon your business model, maybe you should consider heading over to the Disney Institute web site to learn more.
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