Help When Thinking About the Disney Business

 by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

February 27, 2024

 

As an economist, I’m attuned to how CEOs, managers, analysts, and elected officials talk about a business, an industry and the economy. That tendency obviously gets particularly focused on The Walt Disney Company in my role as a columnist for and publisher of DisneyBizJournal.com, not to mention as host of the “Daily Dose of Disney” podcast.

 

As a result, I often hear views that sound authoritative but have little basis in sound economics. That seems to most often be the case when politicians decide to speak out on business and the economy.

So, one of my vocations in life is to help people think more clearly about economics and how the economy works. This mission is executed, in part, in my Weekly Economist series. The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist has just been published, and it follows on The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist.

 

Why does this matter? Well, the answer is straightforward. As I note in The Weekly Economist III, “Get the economics wrong and things usually don’t turn out so well… Get the economics right, and while life will not be perfect, it will be better.” That’s the case from decisions made for particular businesses to decisions by policymakers that affect much of the economy.

 

In recent years, for example, Disney fans have been witness to questionable or controversial decisions made by company CEOs, as well as leading politicians, that have impacted the well-being of the Disney company. And too often, we hear views on such matters that also are unrelated to how business and the economy actually work.

 

It’s my hope that people following Disney, doing business with Disney or related to Disney, or simply ranking as fans of the House of Mouse can benefit from reading the latest Weekly Economist book, as well as the first two books in the series.

 

For example, those interested in Disney should find value in reading essays in The Weekly Economist III that explain the “10 C’s” of capitalism, cover top worries and positives looking ahead for the economy, address the tight labor market, examine intellectual property investment, and deal with trade and subsidies.

 

Likewise, in The Weekly Economist II, Disney aficionados should find insights in chapters touching on innovation vs. regulation, corporate welfare, inflation, interest rates, labor unions, corporations, stock buybacks, and corporate social responsibility.

 

And in The Weekly Economist, Disney-interested readers should appreciate chapters on the role of profits, policies for growth, Wall Street and Main Street, the stock market, shorting stocks, the business cycle, automation, advertising, bankruptcy, and supply chains.

 

By the way, there are chapters covering aspects of entrepreneurship in all three books, and the points made there line up with many of the views held by Walt Disney on entrepreneurship. And why not? After all, Walt was one of the great entrepreneurs of the 20th century.

 

Getting back to why getting our thinking clear on economics matters, as I write in The Weekly Economist III, “If you’re concerned about raising incomes and reducing poverty, the overall quality of life, and expanding opportunity, for example, then you should care about sound economic thinking on all kinds of issues. It’s important to put aside mistaken assumptions, and get to economic reality. That’s why I became an economist in the first place, that is, it became clear to me that if we got our economics clear, then we could improve decision-making on many different fronts, from investment to management to public policymaking, with beneficial results for everyone.”

 

I hope you agree, and enjoy the Weekly Economist books.

 

By the way, get paperbacks and Kindle editions of each book right here, and all three signed books here.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist.Signed books here and Kindle and paperback editions here.

 

• Order The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed books here.  And Kindle and paperback editions here.

 

• The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks at RayKeatingOnline.com or paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions at Amazon.com.

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Consider other books by Ray Keating, including…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon. 

 

• The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

NEW BOOK: “The Weekly Economist” by DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating Helps Readers to Think More Like an Economist

 Ray Keating’s New Book Offers Quick Reads on Wide-Ranging Topics and Questions Related to the Economy and Business

If you don’t have a degree in economics, how do you figure out what actually makes economic sense and what doesn’t? Ray Keating, a leading economist on small business and entrepreneurship, offers help with a new book titled The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist.

 

Whether via CNBC, CNN, FOX, websites, or other outlets, many assertions regarding the economy and economic policy are presented that leave people wondering what’s accurate and what’s not. That’s especially the case when declarations by one talking head are conflicted by the next one. The Weekly Economist offers quick reads on topics essential to thinking clearly on economics, or applying sound economic principles to hot topics.

 

Ray Keating notes, “Yes, economics and thinking more like an economist matter. It is my hope that individuals, by taking just a few minutes for a quick read each week, can clarify their thinking on economics, and thereby, improve their own lives, and the lives of family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, as well as people across the nation and around the world."

 

Beyond a general readership interested in the economy, The Weekly Economist is ideal for the classroom, boardroom and workplace.

 

The Weekly Economist complements Ray Keating’s Free Trade Rocks: 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know, which is an excellent economics introduction to the often controversial topic of free trade.

 

Paperbacks, hardcovers and the Kindle edition of The Weekly Economist are available at Amazon.com, and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com. 

 

Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request. 

 

Praise for Ray Keating’s work…

 

“Keating is at his best when tackling the issue that introduced him to the world of conservative thought: the benefits of the free market.”  - Kirkus Reviews

 

“Keating is no sour-puss conservative... Keating’s pro-growth agenda of dramatic supply-side tax and regulatory cuts, school choice, and much smaller government stands as New York’s only chance at rebirth.”  - Steve Forbes

 

Ray Keating's "take on the economy is unabashedly supply-side, offering a clear understanding that risk taking and entrepreneurship are the engines of economic growth.” - Jack Kemp

 

“Keating manages to bring this seemingly dull subject to accessible life with real-world examples often torn straight from recent headlines, along with a comprehensive and (mostly) impartial view on the topic.” – Self-Publishing Review on Free Trade Rocks!

 

“A common-sense explanation of why politicians and bureaucrats shouldn't throw sand in the gears of global trade.” - Dan Mitchell, Chairman, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, on Free Trade Rocks!

Adventures with Indiana Jones and Walt Disney

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #227: Walt Disney’s Business Was a Thrilling Adventure – Walt Disney was on an adventure, an exciting voyage in business. How about you?

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #228: An Adventure with Indiana Jones – Can life and work be something like going on an adventure with Indiana Jones?

 

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Darth Vader, the Dark Side and Business

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #151: Darth Vader, the Dark Side and Business – Darth Vader offers an insight on human nature, life and business that needs remembering.

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Jon Favreau Gets Us Thinking about Artists and Business

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #113: Favreau on Artists and Businesses – Jon Favreau makes a point worth building on regarding the relationship between artists and business.

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Like Walt Disney, Choose Dynamism

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #54: Moving Forward or Running in Place – In your business and career, Walt Disney points to picking dynamism over stagnation.

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Obi-Wan, Mos Eisley and ... Washington, D.C.?

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #24: Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Wisdom on Mos Eisley – Ray Keating loves Obi-Wan’s quote in Star Wars about Mos Eisley, and can’t help but think of a real-life city.

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Disney on How NOT To Do Diversity

 by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 17, 2021

 

The statement kind of hits like a cold bucket of water over the head: “I will tell you for the first time we received some incredibly well-written scripts that did not satisfy our standards in terms of inclusion, and we passed on them.”

 

As noted by the Hollywood Reporter, Walt Disney Television chairman of entertainment Dana Walden made this declaration recently during a panel discussion. And it’s the direct result of a set of inclusion standards – i.e., actual percentage breakdowns of “groups” populating on-screen presentation, creative teams and behind the scenes – set up in the fall 2020 by ABC/Disney.

Before pondering possible implications, and given the political powder-keg that such declarations can ignite, there are a few quick things that need saying. First, there are those on the Right who mistakenly believe that racism and prejudice simply don’t exist. Second, many on the Left see racism and prejudice everywhere, and believe that racism is as bad as it has ever been in this country. Disagreements in this area often rank as the most strident and ugly in our public life, and feed an increasing tribalism – that is, I have my group, you have yours, and we are not together in any true sense. So much for the U.S. motto of E Pluribus Unum. The reality is that racism and prejudice very much exist, much work still needs to be done in healing our divisions, but also so very much already has been accomplished. Anyone who cannot see all of this is ignoring history for the sake of playing divisive politics.

 

As for actions being taken, private companies are free to choose to implement whatever policies they see fit to expand diversity. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that such policies should not be examined and subject to criticism.

 

Diversity as an objective for a business is not new and can be beneficial, such as by bringing various viewpoints and perspectives to decision-making. When done thoughtfully and constructively, it can send positive messages beyond the firm as well. 

 

At its best, corporate efforts to improve diversity and inclusion mean opening more doors, and expanding the number of chairs at the table. The point is that business is not a zero-sum game. The right decisions mean growth and expanding opportunities, hopefully, for all.

 

But that is not the message behind Walden’s comment. That drips of zero-sum, us-vs.-them thinking, with diversity and inclusion efforts resulting in the exclusion of certain people. How tragically ironic.

 

It also clearly points to politics trumping quality. Disney is a storytelling company in the storytelling business, and that is perhaps why this statement, while not surprising in parts of the business world today, is shocking and dismaying. Disney should be welcoming to all who tell good stories. That would seem to be one of the tenets upon which Walt Disney built the company. It’s not, or should not be, a case of either diversity or quality. Why not both?

 

Indeed, creators should be most distressed by such declarations, along with formulas as to who effectively can and cannot create with the company. As a storyteller myself (a novelist), I create the best material I can, and work with others to bring those stories to the public. My hope is the same for other creators. 

 

What’s nice is that technology makes statements like this from Walden, and percentage breakdowns on the “groups” that Disney will and will not work with, largely irrelevant. Technology has empowered writers and filmmakers like never before. Creators can create, and gain direct access to consumers like never before. That’s exciting for all creators, including those who have suffered due to racism and prejudice, and those who fail to align with leftist dictates from certain companies. Perhaps there is an opportunity for creators to truly unite.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15^th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Understanding Bob Iger Stepping Up at Disney

by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 13, 2020

Last night, DisneyBizJournal highlighted a report from The New York Times noting that Bob Iger effectively has taken back control of The Walt Disney Company from Bob Chapek.

It’s interesting to read assorted reactions from people questioning the Times report, and saying that they would not believe the story until Disney makes an official announcement. Now, raising questions about media accounts generally is healthy, but blindly doing so is not.

Let’s be clear: No one should expect an announcement from The Walt Disney Company saying that Bob Iger is back as CEO, and Bob Chapek is out. That actually would be surprising (Disclaimer: I don’t officially toss aside any possibilities in the world we live in today), and that’s not what this report was about anyway.

Instead, this is about effective control of the company. That means no official announcements from the company about changing titles, etc. Instead, this is tapping Iger’s experience in running Disney as the company faces unprecedented challenges. This is about Iger stepping up to play the key role in helping Disney and Chapek navigate stormy waters, and guiding how the company emerges on the other end.

This also is about letting investors and the market know that Iger’s steady hand is on the wheel.

These developments make sense from a business perspective. But if you’re looking for an official announcement from Disney, that’s highly unlikely. Instead, what you might get is a statement from the company saying that the board has complete confidence in Chapek as CEO, and it appreciates the important leadership being provided by Executive Chairman Bob Iger in these uncertain times. Again, that would be logical from a business perspective.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution (now available at a deep discount) and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

Sign up for Ray Keating's DisneyBizJournal, Books and More Email List!

Join at https://raykeatingonline.com/contact, and receive free newsletters and updates, notifications about events, and 40% off coupons for all of Keating's forthcoming books covering Disney, entrepreneurship, business, your career – and more! 

Books scheduled for publication later in 2019 include:

• 10 Entrepreneurship Lessons from Walt Disney

• The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution

And more coming! Again, go to https://raykeatingonline.com/contact

Chance for FREE Book and 40% Off Forthcoming Disney Planner

Sign up for Ray Keating's email list for a chance to win a FREE copy of "The Realistic Optimist TO DO List & Calendar 2019," get a 40% off coupon to use for a forthcoming 2020 TO DO List Solution planner - including a new Disney Planner - and get monthly newsletter and regular updates. 

You must enter by May 13, 2019, to have a chance to win the free book. Go to https://raykeatingonline.com/contact

Tips From Former VP of the Magic Kingdom

by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 19, 2019

If you explore and pay attention, you can find tips for business, career and life in all kinds of places and from a wide array of people. That includes a former vice president who led more than 12,000 cast members at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

Dan Cockerell developed a 26-year career at Walt Disney Company, and now, as explained on his website, “provides customized, authentic presentations, focusing on leadership and management practices, drawing upon his extensive Disney career with relevant examples and inspiring storytelling.”

I heard Dan talk about Disney and his career on a Lou Mongello WDW Radio podcast (listen to the episode here), and decided to sign up for Cockerell’s weekly email. He provides a few insights from himself, a newsletter, and an article of interest.

Here are just a few brief, valuable points made by Cockerell that can help one’s business and career:

• “[H]aving a short list of things to work toward for our ideal selves is what will make life really interesting and will enable us to live with fewer regrets. So, pick something you want to do, a place you want to go, or a skill you want to learn and spend 20 minutes a day working on it. You will be surprised how much progress you will make. For me, it is not about the length of time I spend on projects but the discipline to spend time on them every single day. After a month, it's fascinating how much progress you can make!”

• “I've been in a few jobs where I was thrown into the deep end to figure the job out. Sure, you learn to be resourceful and self-reliant, but the hit to your productivity and confidence is pretty big. I suggest you dive into your training program and do an audit. Is it effective? Is it consistent? Is it happening?”

• “Did you someone frustrate you today? No, you chose to be frustrated. Did someone scare you today? No, you chose to be scared. Did someone make you happy? No, you chose to be happy. In the words of Morpheus, ‘choose wisely!’”

• “The days of acquiring education early on in life and cruising with that acquired knowledge is over! Everyday has to be a day of learning. Whether formal or informal, we all need to move our mindset to growth and improvement.”

• “Do you try things you may fail at? And I don’t mean high stake moments that will endanger your career. I mean talking to that person next to you on the plane, playing that video game with your son, or trying to learn about that new social media app. If you do, you have a growth mindset and that's good! Curiosity keeps the mind sharp and engaged. Are you curious? Do you challenge your co-workers and direct reports to be curious? If you do, you have a growth mindset and that's good!”

Sign up for these weekly email at Dan Cockerell’s website – go to https://dancockerell.com– and benefit accordingly. By the way, Cockerell also does a weekly podcast – “Come Rain or Shine” – at https://dancockerell.com/blog/podcast/. 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, with the three latest books being Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Storyand Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story. He can be contacted at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

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