What are the key Disney principles to success?

So many stories are telling of downfall in business and leaders are often wondering what can be done to increase sales? You have looked at everything and still cannot come up with a plan. Often, we look to those around us that are successful and search for keys for their success and try to incorporate them into our own culture.
The Disney Institute has been delivering seminars and advice since the 90's on what the key principles are to their success. Now, Disney is certainly not going to give away all their secrets but enough of their cast members ( Disney talk for colleagues or employees) have spoken about it for years that they decided to create a program that other companies and leaders could benefit from.

Here are 5 key principles to the Disney Institutes program for success:

1. Leadership- Disney has always taken much pride in their leaders. From Walt Disney himself to the present CEO Bob Iger and the hundreds of current leaders from Disney Parks to Resorts, Cruise Ships and beyond, the key to this empire is leadership. There is much training that is involved to be a Disney leader and that is what sets them apart from many corporations.
2. Training- As mentioned above with leadership, training goes hand in hand with each one of these keys to success. Training is started with everyone attending a Traditions class. From street cleaners, servers to trash collectors to the CEO, everybody who works for this dynamic company flows through this class. Offering a glimpse at the Disney traditions incorporates and encompass all that is Disney. Remember folks, its not WHAT you sell but what you BELIEVE. Thus, when you are told of the beginnings of Disney and everything it entailed and how far they have come, you get to start to see exactly what you signed up for when you were hired. If you do not believe in your product how can you expect anyone to buy into it? No matter if you sell cars, real estate or corporations, if you believe in it, you can sell it to others.
3. Guest Experience- No one certainly ever needs to discuss exactly what sets Disney apart from every other company in the world.....GUEST EXPERIENCES. MAGIC as it were. It truly is the people that make the difference with Disney and this follows through with the guest experience. You want to ensure you are meeting and exceeding EVERY last expectation of your guest. In the Hospitality world this is what makes or breaks your business. Disney strives to ensure that each and every guest that walks through those turnstiles, checks into their Resorts and boards those ships has been given the very best possible experience. Trust me, those guests certainly provide feedback on that. GOOD & BAD!!! Their expectations are high, Disney set the standards and they are expected to uphold it. DAILY!! 
4. Brand Loyalty- No one could ever dispute this of Disney. Those magical experiences that occur every moment at Disney means that those feelings you get, remember and cherish account for brand loyalty. It also represents colleagues as well. When you believe in something, you have loyalty towards it. Have you ever worked for a company that had employees that only talked of experiences they had working for other properties? BRAND LOYALTY!! If you can win that, you will have guests for life. Remember that. You are creating something here. Feelings, and those my friend will equal dollar signs if created properly.
5. Creativity- Every single part of Disney is about creativity. Walt Disney had a dream, we have heard it time and time again. Could you ever imagine that over 40 years ago that this simple man who wanted to merely create a place where his daughters could go, was safe and that parents would be just as entertained? Today, Disney is still 100% committed to creating magic. Each cast member is encouraged to be creative as well. Their leaders hopefully inspire them enough to create magic for each and every guest they come in contact with. This also includes those that are backstage or not in direct guest contact. Those people deal with others and those are called their guests. For example- Cosmetology- they are not in direct contact with guests however each and every cast member they have to dress IS their guests. From Imagineers to the street cleaners are all inspired to be creative. Speaking of which, nowadays, you might even find a Park sweeper creating Disney characters out of merely a bucket of water and a broom. THAT is creativity and has started to spread to the other Parks in the World. You see what alittle creativity can do?

All in all, business is a business and the almighty dollar rules. However, Disney has certainly started to offer other business that have been struggling as of late the opportunity to learn and train the Disney way.