Katrina Ballard
MGT/230
October 16, 2012
Disney 's Business Factors The Disney Corporation is a leader in both the family entertainment and the movie media industries. They are internationally acclaimed for their amusement parks and resorts, media networks, studio entertainment, and interactive media (Bahera, 2012, para. 1). Through Walt Disney’s vision, drive, creativity, and passion, Disney has become one of the world’s most successful multi-media corporations. Disney established its core values from the beginning, and they are still lived today. Since Walt Disney’s departure in 1966, Disney has had several leaders, including the current CEO, Bob Iger, who have duplicated Walt’s style and have continued to make Disney the powerhouse entertainer it is today. There are four functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. These four functions are affected by several internal and external factors, including globalization, technology, innovation, diversity, and ethics. Disney became the success it is today by successfully applying the four management functions and understanding the impact the internal and external factors have on each of them. Internal factors are somewhat controllable, as they pertain to the strengths and weaknesses inside an organization. Disney emphasizes diversity and ethics above all, and has been able to get “buy in” from its employees. Disney has built a strong internal foundation with its committed employees and views on corporate responsibility, enabling to withstand the impacts of external factors. External factors, such as government, global, and economic aspects are not as controllable, and require careful planning to maneuver around. From the beginning, Walt shared his vision with his employees and set goals to give them a sense of involvement and belonging. Today, Bob Iger sets strategic goals while using a loose-reigns management style. “From his living room, he saw the
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