Teamwork is an integral part of every organization, allowing for collaboration and efficiency. Yet, some organizations have stronger teams than others. Why is this the case?

In her blog post, Gurleen Gill discusses the benefits of good teams in organizations. She notes that teamwork can strengthen an employee’s productivity and dedication to their organization, leading to higher employee satisfaction. This would benefit organizations because it would help them retain their employees and produce higher quality work.

Walt Disney Co. is the company that Americans want to work for most.

Walt Disney Co. is the company that Americans want to work for most, and is known for its excellent culture. So how can organizations learn from “The Happiest Place on Earth” to improve their own teams?

Disney thrives off creating connections between people using storytelling. Fans and employees of Disney alike share a common passion for the stories that Disney tells, from classics like Dumbo to modern tales like Frozen, and even the story of the founder, Walt Disney himself. Employees have often grown up with Disney stories, and they will always have a lasting personal connection to Disney’s culture, enabling them to believe in the company’s brand.

Another important element of Disney’s culture is the unique language used within Disney, creating a new level of connection and team spirit. Disney preaches that it is “The Happiest Place on Earth”, creating an air of positivity for employees. The naming of locations as “Disneyland” or “Disneyworld” evoke feelings among employees that the company is its own kind of dreamland, making it clear that this is a truly unique place to work at. Jobs around the theme park are also given their own special Disney-related terms. For example, engineers and artists who design the attractions are called “Imagineers”, and resort service workers are called “Mousekeepers”. The use of these special terms helps to forge yet another unique connection between employees and Disney.

Mickey Mouse and his friends are important symbols for Disney’s company culture.

Organizations also require material symbols to demonstrate pride in their company culture, and Disney has no shortage of this. Mickey Mouse has been the symbol for Disney for years, later joined by Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. Through establishing a long-lasting connection with these characters and producing stories about them, they have become the face of Disney and help to create a family atmosphere. Other important symbols for Disney include castles, Tinker Bell, and the Disney princesses, all of which contribute to creating long-lasting connections between Disney and its customers and potential employees.

Through its success and popularity throughout the years, Disney demonstrates that by establishing a personal and tangible connection to the organization, strong teams and organizational culture can be developed to allow a company to thrive. If companies want to make their own teams successful, they should take a page out of Disney’s books.

_____________________________________________________________________________

References:

Whisenhunt, J. (2013, September 08). Disneyspeak: Do You Speak Disney’s Language? Retrieved March 31, 2017, from http://www.chipandco.com/disneyspeak-speak-disneys-language-62241/

Zillman, C. (2016, June 6). Disney is Named the Company Americans Want to Work for Most. Retrieved March 31, 2017, from http://fortune.com/2016/06/06/fortune-500-disney-most-desired-employer/

It’s the American Dream: work hard, and you can achieve success and prosperity. But is this dream really achievable?

Many workers move to North America in hopes of achieving a prosperous life. But exactly how realistic is this ‘American Dream’?

In her blog post, Mariana Martinez-Rubio discusses the disadvantages faced by lower class entrants to the workforce in their search for internships. Often, internships are offered at very low rates or for no compensation at all. While the focus is on the student gaining work experience rather than making a living, looking at internship programs demonstrates an inherent disadvantage for those coming from lower class backgrounds. Those who already struggle to make a living simply cannot afford to work for free and can have trouble surviving on free or lowly paid internships. Thus, internships are often a luxury that only the privileged can afford.

The disadvantages faced by lower class students and workers do not stop at internships. If these people cannot participate in internships, they will be at a disadvantage in comparison to candidates with intern experience when entering the workforce. This demonstrates only one aspect of the classism prevalent in the workforce.

Other factors that prevent the lower class from achieving their potential is the cost of education and job training. While the wealthy can easily afford to attend post-secondary education or receive job training, low-income households find it very difficult to receive proper training. Scholarships and loans are offered, but students will still need to worry about keeping their grades and extracurricular involvement up to qualify for scholarships or making enough money to pay off their student loans. After struggling to receive an education, the lower class continue to face difficulty in finding work. Even if they do get an interview, they must be able to afford nice haircuts and professional clothing to appear presentable at interviews. The costs of gaining work training, experience and resources are an unfair barrier to the lower class, preventing them from breaking out of their current place in the class hierarchy and from achieving the so-called American Dream.

What can be done to help achieve equity among all prospective workers? Lowering the cost of education, making financial need-based scholarships more readily available, and placing less emphasis on the physical appearance of job applicants are examples of a few steps that can be taken to improve the situation. Through the provision of methods of empowerment for lower class workers, individuals can all have a fair opportunity to reach their potential and achieve success and prosperity.