Bleeding Pixie Dust – Katy Ray

Company culture is a tricky topic. Let’s face it; we don’t all have Cinderella, Belle and Mickey running around to help us establish that childlike emotional commitment to our brands like Disney does. The ability to excite, innovate and entertain our future employees in the same powerful way would be amazing… but, that will never be the reality for most.

So, what can we do to create the same sort of passion and enthusiasm for our employment brands that I have found in one particular Intern at Disney Institute?

Katy Ray Sears lives and breathes Disney. Shortly after arriving to Orlando we met Katy for the first time – polite, enthusiastic and absolutely crazy for Disney. Katy is currently serving as an Intern for the Disney Institute. Her technical role is the Group & Convention Public Relations Intern… but, in all reality… she is much more than that! This “Intern” bleeds pixie dust!

When it comes to Disney, Katy is a true brand champion. Not in a forced down your throat, you must eat and breathe Walt Disney kind of way – it’s more of a childlike wonderment that is very difficult to not get excited over. It’s not in the words as much as the way that her eyes grow wide and sparkly anytime she speaks about the organization. She is, in my opinion, the type of cast member (internal employee to Disney) that truly captures the spirit of the organization.

So, for fun, I asked this passionate Disney ambassador to give me her top ten list of things about Disney that stick out in her mind and why she chose them.

Katy Ray Sears’ Top Ten Favorite Things About Disney

Walt Disney – Because he shows that one person can change the world!
Main Street USA – It embodies the spirit of America, comfort and memories.
Peter Pan’s Flight – Where else can you fly over London in a Pirate Ship?
Princesses – They symbolize dreams that everyone has.
Carousel of Progress – Walt’s own idea from beginning to end…
Great Movie Ride – Ride through Hollywood’s greatest movie scenes and get right in the middle of the action!
Parades & Fireworks – Especially “Wishes”
Fantasmic – Greatest show ever!
The Kids – Walt Disney World gives them something to believe in, no matter their circumstances.
Cinderella’s Castle – It’s a real representation of dreams coming true!

Here is the actual note…

Katy Ray is a fantastic addition to the Disney team. She will represent them well now and into the future with her amazing level of intensity for the organization and her commitment to delivering on Disney’s key standards for guest satisfaction.

Company culture and the way in which it flows through your employees’ veins is highly dependent on their abilities to emotional connect and verbally communicate what makes their company great!

Give your employees something to get excited about! Develop stories and examples of your culture that they will eagerly want to share with their families, friends and everyone else they come into contact with.

Can you imagine what a group of Katy Rays would do for your organization?

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Tagged as: Company Culture, Disney, Disney Institute, Employee Engagement, Katy Ray Sears

Shennee

GREAT!’
Shennee

GREAT!’
http://thehumanracehorses.com Michael VanDervort

We all said Katy Was “adorable” when we met her. That is how she is described by her boss, Stacey.

Michael really did a great job of summing her up.

Here is what I know from talking to her. She doesn’t work at Disney for the money. She works at Disney because it is her passion. Every employer should be lucky enough to have at least one employee as passionate as Katy Ray
http://humanracehorses.blogspot.com Michael VanDervort

We all said Katy Was “adorable” when we met her. That is how she is described by her boss, Stacey.

Michael really did a great job of summing her up.

Here is what I know from talking to her. She doesn’t work at Disney for the money. She works at Disney because it is her passion. Every employer should be lucky enough to have at least one employee as passionate as Katy Ray
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Debbie Brown

I have enjoyed your institute blog and twitters all week for two reasons. One, I have a passion for client satisfaction, and experience. And two, I have tremendous respect for how Disney creates it (the insight has been terrific). My family has been to both Disneyland and WDW this year- so we are fans! The experience translates to corporate america, I have seen it when I have walked into the Coca Cola Company and asked a passerby for the direction to the bathroom. Or, when I have a need at Nordstrom, and/or have been lucky enough to attend a meeting at the Ritz. I love when firms focus on every interaction at every intersection- clearly it is training, tops down walking the talk, and inspection that helps make it stick. “Applause, and WOW’s” all around this week for sharing- Thank you!
Debbie Brown

I have enjoyed your institute blog and twitters all week for two reasons. One, I have a passion for client satisfaction, and experience. And two, I have tremendous respect for how Disney creates it (the insight has been terrific). My family has been to both Disneyland and WDW this year- so we are fans! The experience translates to corporate america, I have seen it when I have walked into the Coca Cola Company and asked a passerby for the direction to the bathroom. Or, when I have a need at Nordstrom, and/or have been lucky enough to attend a meeting at the Ritz. I love when firms focus on every interaction at every intersection- clearly it is training, tops down walking the talk, and inspection that helps make it stick. “Applause, and WOW’s” all around this week for sharing- Thank you!
http://theredrecruiter.com/ The Red Recruiter

Debbie,

I really appreciate you tuning in to the coverage! It’s been a lot of fun… that’s for sure. And yes, it’s interesting to see how practices at Disney have spread around to the various organizations who have adopted. Arriving back home to San Antonio today, I found myself observing the environments around me. The next week or two should be interesting…

Thanks for the comment!

Looking forward,
Michael
http://theredrecruiter.com The Red Recruiter

Debbie,

I really appreciate you tuning in to the coverage! It’s been a lot of fun… that’s for sure. And yes, it’s interesting to see how practices at Disney have spread around to the various organizations who have adopted. Arriving back home to San Antonio today, I found myself observing the environments around me. The next week or two should be interesting…

Thanks for the comment!

Looking forward,
Michael
http://hrringleader.wordpress.com/ Trish McFarlane

Loved this story about Katy. She sounds like the perfect ambassador for the Disney brand. Wouldn’t each of our companies love to have interns with her passion about the brand? And, wouldn’t each of us love to have a company to work for each day that we feel this passionate about? Great post!
http://hrringleader.wordpress.com Trish McFarlane

Loved this story about Katy. She sounds like the perfect ambassador for the Disney brand. Wouldn’t each of our companies love to have interns with her passion about the brand? And, wouldn’t each of us love to have a company to work for each day that we feel this passionate about? Great post!
Katy Ray

Thank you so much Michael (and Mike)!! I am so flattered. I look forward to your next trip to Walt Disney World!
Katy Ray

Thank you so much Michael (and Mike)!! I am so flattered. I look forward to your next trip to Walt Disney World!
http://theredrecruiter.com/ The Red Recruiter

Thank you Trish! Yes, Katy Ray is fantastic and it would be great to more passionate people like her working for organizations around the country.
http://theredrecruiter.com The Red Recruiter

Thank you Trish! Yes, Katy Ray is fantastic and it would be great to more passionate people like her working for organizations around the country.
http://theredrecruiter.com/ The Red Recruiter

You’re welcome Katy! Thank you for the fantastic hospitality while we were in Orlando! Great stuff!
http://theredrecruiter.com The Red Recruiter

You’re welcome Katy! Thank you for the fantastic hospitality while we were in Orlando! Great stuff!
Annie

I went to college with Katy at CNU. She certainly does embody all of the values of Disney. Not a day would go by where you wouldn’t hear Disney songs coming from her room. She has a bubbly, friendly personality. She mentioned to me once that one of her dreams was to become a “Disney Princess”, and in a sense, she has. Anyone who comes in contact with Katy can’t help but become infected with her excitement and love for Disney. Disney has gained one of their most valuable interns/employees in Katy. She has, and will continue, to do wonderful things for Disney. I, for one, cannot wait to see her change the world someday.
Annie

I went to college with Katy at CNU. She certainly does embody all of the values of Disney. Not a day would go by where you wouldn’t hear Disney songs coming from her room. She has a bubbly, friendly personality. She mentioned to me once that one of her dreams was to become a “Disney Princess”, and in a sense, she has. Anyone who comes in contact with Katy can’t help but become infected with her excitement and love for Disney. Disney has gained one of their most valuable interns/employees in Katy. She has, and will continue, to do wonderful things for Disney. I, for one, cannot wait to see her change the world someday.