Walt Disney really knew what he was talking about | Travel Research Online

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Walt Disney really knew what he was talking about

Walt Disney left an incredible legacy behind when he passed away in 1966. Disney defined what great customer service is in the hospitality industry and crafted a conglomerate that I the envy of most every business.

If I had been in the travel industry when he was alive, you can be sure I would have gone to the ends of the earth to hear him speak or to (gasp) meet the man behind the mouse. Maybe not…I would have been 5, but you get the idea!

Why? Just take a look at some of his “isms”, and (my comments) and tell me these cannot be guiding principles for your travel practice.

Walt-ism: A man should never neglect his family for business. (Family first. Always. Your friends and business may come and go, but your family is forever.)

Walt-ism: I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it. (Competition is a necessary evil and makes us grow. Never lose sight of it.)

Walt-ism: Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money. (Don’t ever do anything for the money. Do it for the passion you have and the money you need will follow.)

Walt-ism: It’s kind of fun to do the impossible. (Never say never, and always ask why. When someone says it can’t be done [or shouldn’t be done], I look at that as a challenge.)

Walt-ism: The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. (We over-plan way too much. Do get a plan, but put it into action. Nothing happens until somebody does something.)

Walt-ism: You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality. (No one can do it all. You may be a one-person agency and think you need to do it all alone. No! Rely on your colleagues, bounce ideas around in Facebook or TRO.)

Walt-ism: Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.(Always be your worst [and best] critic. No matter how well you are doing, there is some way you can improve. Find it.)

And the final Walt-ism I found–

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

And let me just end it right there!

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