This semester I was enrolled in two Disney courses that were wonderful. Those courses were Studies in Advanced Hospitality Management and Human Resources Management. In both courses, I was amazed by all of the new knowledge and perspectives I was able to learn and experience. However, one of the concepts I learned that stood out the most, I learned in both of my classes. That concept was, motivating your employees. We looked at the different ways that companies motivate their employees and the long-term effect of doing so. This is a very important concept to learn. In an article I read called, Motivating Employees, by the American Printer, it relates directly to this concept.
The article, Motivating Employees, discusses the different type of ways we can motivate our employees and how that leads to success. The article also mentions many examples. One of them includes the incentive plan that a manager of a $50 million company shared because of its success. The plan is simple. If an entire department goes the whole month spoilage free, they all get taken out for lunch. In one year, they have been taken out for lunch eight of twelve times. This demonstrates how important it is to take care of your employees and treat them well.
While working at the Walt Disney World Resorts, I have been able to put this concept in perspective. I have also learned what the company lacks in when it comes to motivating their employees. It is important to take care of your employees as much as you want to care for your guests. In Walt Disney World Resorts, they do a great job motivating their professional employees. However, there is a gap between the motivation of professional employees and hourly ones. I have seen it occur in the housekeeping departments around the resorts. I have observed the development of those in professional roles always spoken about. When it comes to minorities in the workplace, it is not as common or advertised.
Also, in addition to taking the employees out for lunch, the company also values feedback. The article mentions that each month, the employee who gives the best feedback is given a gift card. That also shows that the company genuinely values the employee feedbacks. When a company is open to the feedback of its employee, it also motivates that employee. It gives the employee a chance to be a part of the decisions and makes them feel empowered. While working at the Walt Disney World Resorts, I have realized how important it is to listen to employee feedback with an open mind. The employees are really the working engine of a company’s success, there for, the employees should be motivated very well.
After being exposed to multiple experiences and talking to many cast members here at Disney, I have learned how important it is to motivate your cast members. It is also important to keep your employees motivated. This task can get difficult at times, but it is very crucial. All companies should care about their employees as much as they care about the success of their company.
Resources:
“MOTIVATING employees.” American Printer, 1 Oct. 2002. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=cuny_nytc&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA92825857&it=r&asid=0c9796228ff20f4ca8712e4378530009. Accessed 7 May 2017.
Since I took that class with you, I really know how right you are. I think that class will push us to success! I totally agree with you, I think it is very important to study thoroughly how business keep their employees motivated and happy. We absolutely learned so much in this class.