Understanding Walt Disney: The Values, Mission, and Culture
Overview
Walt Disney is an American entertainment company mainly focusing on international mass media productions. The company headquarters are located in Burbank, California. It operates in Latin America, North America, Asia, and Europe. The company has several other business segments, including consumer products, parks, resorts, media networks, and studio entertainment. Disney is regarded as the world’s largest media corporation in terms of revenue. The company was started in 1923 when Roy and Walt Disney set up their first studio in Hollywood, California. Plane Crazy was the first cartoon by Disney Studios in 1928. The company has a wide market of consumers it hopes to educate on cultural and ethical values.
Walt Disney’s Mission
The Walt Disney Company is an international brand whose popularity has grown due to the effectiveness applied by the management. Theoretically, a corporate mission statement defines the organization’s business. Walt Disney’s mission mainly focuses on leadership (Willis 47). Nonetheless, like other companies, Disney can improve their mission to align it with the current industry trends. The corporation’s mission statement states, “To be the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services, and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative, and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world” (The Walt Disney Company 1). The mission is mainly focused on the product rather than the consumer needs. It lacks a life cycle since it does not integrate employees, technology, public image, and customers (Wills 47). Therefore, Disney’s mission should incorporate these concepts to guarantee continued success.
Walt Disney’s Culture
Disney’s culture rarely relates to American society. The corporation is believed to be a representation of American traditions. The organization’s culture is set on the firm’s traditions, values, and customs that influence the behaviors of employees (Williams 1). The morals of the employees reflect the ideas aligned with the target consumer expectations and preferences in media, resorts, parks, and entertainment. The culture of story writing has played a key role in satisfying the needs and expectations of the consumer concerning movies and TV programs. The employees are stripped of the “self” and become part of Disney, where they learn the Disney language, behavior, and looks (Mark 255). The success is evidence of the American cultural traits, and the main target market is aligned with Disney’s culture. Thus, the success of Disney is directly related to the connection between Disney’s organizational culture and the American way of life.
Walt Disney’s Values
Disney’s success is mainly related to the values and ethics it employs in its daily operations. Values are critical elements in Disney culture. Disney has played a key role in shaping American culture for several years. It has largely dominated the American entertainment industry, thus promoting basic concepts through movies and TV shows (Mark 255). The company has played a key role in promoting social and cultural values of morality and work ethic. The family shows created by Disney teach children about the good and bad behaviors in society. It teaches about the moral code where good always defeats evil. Disney is committed to producing shows which can be watched and enjoyed by people of different ages, thus making it a respectable company. Lastly, the company is committed to decency and honor that nurture trust within the organization (Scott 1). The values portrayed by Walt Disney have ensured the continued growth and success of the company due to the trust it has created among its consumers
Works Cited
MarketLine. The Walt Disney Company: Company Profile. www.citi.columbia.edu/B8210/read28a/disney.pdf Accessed 13th Nov 2018.
Pinsky, Mark I. Gospel According to Disney. Louisville: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 2004.
Scott, N. M. Walt Disney Company’s Mission Statement and Vision: Formula for Success. ToughNickel (Apr 2016). toughnickel.com/industries/Walt-Disney-Companys-Mission-Statement-and-Vision-A-formula-for-success. Accessed 13 Nov 2018.
The Walt Disney Company. (2018). www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/about/ Accessed 13 Nov 2018.
Williams, A. Disney’s Organizational Culture for Excellent Entertainment (Analysis). Panmore Institute. (2017). panmore.com/disney-organizational-culture-excellent-entertainment-analysis. Accessed 13th Nov 2018.
Wills, John. Disney Culture. New Jersey: New Brunswick Rutgers University Press, 2017.
