Disney Training Secrets: What I Learned From The Mouse!

Summary

In this video, Jeff from yourlearningcareer.com shares insights from his experience as a former Walt Disney World cast member and trainer. He emphasizes the importance of a strong new employee orientation, reinforcing company culture throughout training, putting on a good show for learners, incorporating storytelling, and ensuring interactivity in training sessions. Jeff also stresses the necessity of training the trainers, advocating for continuous learning and development for those in training roles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start Strong: Disney emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive first-day orientation that includes company history, culture, and park tours.
• 🎓 Reinforce Culture: Disney continuously reinforces company values and culture throughout all training programs.
• 🎭 Put on a Show: Disney uses show business terms and practices to create engaging and memorable training experiences.
• 📚 Tell a Story: Storytelling is a key element in Disney's training, making the content more relatable and engaging.
• 🤝 Show More Than You Tell: Disney focuses on interactive training methods over lengthy lectures to enhance learning.
• 🏆 Recognize and Train: Disney acknowledges that being good at a job doesn't automatically make someone a good trainer, hence they provide training for trainers.
• 🔄 Consistent Messaging: Disney ensures that the messages about company values are consistent across all training sessions.
• 👥 Interactivity is Key: Disney's training sessions are filled with activities and interactions to keep learners engaged.
• 👨‍🏫 Develop Trainer Skills: Disney provides multi-day classes for trainers to learn effective training techniques and adult learning principles.
• 🌟 Continuous Learning: Disney encourages trainers and learning professionals to continuously seek out new skills and learning opportunities.

Q & A

What is the first thing Disney does to train its employees?

Disney starts employee training on day one with 'Walt Disney World Traditions,' which is their new employee orientation program. It includes learning about company history, culture, and touring one of the theme parks.

How does Disney reinforce the training received during the new employee orientation?

Disney reinforces the training by consistently emphasizing the company's values and culture throughout all subsequent training programs, whether it's for a new job or department.

What is the importance of 'putting on a good show' in Disney's training philosophy?

Disney believes in creating an engaging and memorable experience for learners, just as they do for their theme park guests. This includes creating a welcoming environment, being prepared, and ensuring the training is impactful.

Why is storytelling important in Disney's training approach?

Storytelling is crucial because it helps to make the training material come to life, making it more engaging and easier to remember. Disney encourages the use of personal stories, case studies, and scenarios to weave into the training.

What does 'show more than you tell' mean in the context of Disney's training?

This principle means that Disney focuses on interactive learning experiences rather than just lectures. They believe that people learn more by doing, so their training involves lots of activities and on-the-job training.

Why is it essential to train the trainer at Disney?

Disney emphasizes the importance of training the trainer because not everyone naturally knows how to be an effective trainer. They provide multi-day classes to teach the skills needed to engage an audience and facilitate learning.

What are some of the activities included in Disney's new employee orientation?

During the new employee orientation, Disney includes activities such as music, greeting new employees, and touring one of the theme parks to create an engaging and interactive experience.

How does Disney ensure a consistent message across all training sessions?

Disney ensures a consistent message by reinforcing the company's values and culture in every training session, regardless of the department or role.

What role does interactivity play in Disney's training sessions?

Interactivity is key in Disney's training as it promotes active learning and engagement. They include activities, tours, and group work to keep participants involved and interested.

How does Disney's approach to training reflect its company culture?

Disney's training approach reflects its company culture by emphasizing the importance of creating memorable experiences, both for its guests and its employees.

What advice does the speaker give to those looking to improve their own training skills?

The speaker advises taking the initiative to find opportunities to learn new skills and develop as a trainer or designer, whether through in-house programs or external vendors.