Customer Reviews

Work in Progress: Risking Failure, Surviving Success

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

From about 1985 I was the senior executive assistant to Disney's Vice President of Strategic Planning, Lawrence P. Murphy. I therefore read this book with a special eagerness, and I was not disappointed. It teems with the wonderful people who make up the cast of top management at The Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank, California.

Mentioned herein are many, but not all, of the bright and driven executives who comprise Michael's well known "Dream Team", those brilliant businessmen and women who increased the company's market value from $2 billion to $75 billion in a scant 15 years. While many attempts have been made recently to explain the magic of Disney management (wouldn't everyone like to succeed this well), Eisner's book reveals a great chunk of the truth: As strategic planner Peter Murphy phrases it at one point, "We are a compulsive culture".

As important as smiling employees and customer satisfaction are, Disney management tests its own mettle on a daily basis, working incredibly long and hard upon every operations detail, research task, acquisition project and growth enterprise that captures its attention. No one can expect to duplicate Disney's success without emulating this crucial aspect of its management work ethic -- its people work tirelessly, passionately and often single-mindedly, and find immense joy and personal satisfaction in achieving the desired results.

This is a fine book and highly recommended for any executive who wishes deeper practical insights into how a brilliant but prudent Disney management team transformed the company's future.

Turning around the Disney organization was no small task for Mike Eisner...and a task he was prepared to accomplish. What this book succeeds in illustrating was the organizational culture of Disney pre-Eisner, the changes necessary to make things move forward, and a somewhat objective assessment of major initiatives since that time.

Certainly Eisner has a point of view. His heart attack changed his life. So there is a thematic construct here...change, change and more change. Change in management, how the organization does business, change in how Disney is viewed by others and itself.

Expecting that the book would be more critical of the organization is unrealistic. I found Eisner to be relatively self-critical and when I finished the book, having learned of his education and values, with a better opinion of this guy.

Readable, informative, balanced, this is a good book.

Having read most books about Michael Eisner and Disney, I was most anxious to see what his perspective was of the events and people that have made Eisner one of Americas icons. True to his personality, he does discuss the warts (Disney's America etc) and the personality conflicts with some of his closest associates, as well as the glowing successes that have taken place since he moved to Disney in 1984. The most interesting thing to me is his modesty and his constant reference to his wife and family. It is obvious that he has his priorities in order when he discusses a $19 billion acquisition of ABC in much the same tone as his son's hockey talents. No study of Disney would be complete without reading this book.

This book is truly one of the best books I have read in a while. I bought copies for all of my friends and realatives. I learned much about management and people in general. You may not like Eisner personally (I do) but you cannot argue with the success of the company. This book is a MUST read for anyone who even casually likes the Disney corporation. I came to understand many things about Disney that I did not know.

Here's a man who has influenced the lives of people all over the world for decades - through films, television shows, theme parks, stores, TV networks, sports teams... And here's a great, accessible, enjoyable book about the inside workings of world media. The stories and insights are candid and authentic (and several are downright amazing). There's a reason some people have the kind of impact they do, and Eisner's style -in writing and, apparently, in running Disney, must be it. I read this book nearly straight through in a few sittings, because it held me and because I was learning. Very few people have the experience of running a firm with a 160,000 employees and worldwide impact; and very, very few could have written about it as interestingly. Gavin de Becker, author The Gift of Fear.

I bought this CD to listen on a long road trip and it really made my trip a lot more enjoyable. The narration was very good, considering that the author actually did it himself. Maybe that's why it sounds very personal, like he is talking to me. The story is fascinating, especially for someone who is interested in Disney and familiar with the 'cast' of executives in the story, some of whom I didn't know had any connection with each other until i heard this CD. It's a great audio CD and I highly recommend it!

If you like Disney this is a must read. Even if your just like media in general and want to learn about one of the worlds most successful corporations. This book does drag a little, but all in all a very interesting book to read, and see what Michael Eisner went through to get the company to where it is today. I really enjoyed the parts in which some of Disney's ideas and plan didnt work quite as planned. Even Disney had some bad ideas, and some failed ideas but they learned and adjusted, and look where they are now.

The book is very well written and a pleasure to read. If you have any interest in the entertainment industry, the book does not disappoint with vignettes of Eisner's experiences at ABC, Paramount, and finally Disney.

Anyone who grew up in the 70's and 80's will find it fascinating to read about Eisner's early career at ABC and Paramount, and his influence in some of the television programs and movies that shaped our generation. And for the fan of Disney, the book is a must read. You won't be able to put it down.

The only criticism I have of the book is that some of Eisner's stories were too short -- more details about his experiences would have been fascinating to read.

From a business point of view, I found the whole story about Eisner's reshaping of Disney -- his very human experience of seeking the job with the Disney board is well told by he and Tony Schwartz. He doesn't try to compare himself to Walt Disney, but instead relates on how he is trying to continue Disney's dream of what the company could be.

If you are thinking about ordering a copy, do it today! You won't be disappointed.

Just a great read for anyone who loves show biz. You will better understand what really takes place behind the scenes, and how they make movies for less without sacraficing quality. This book could be used to help yourself succeed more just by using Eisner's ideas! Treasure trove of strategies of how to get ahead and stay there. I bet the guys at Dream Works have read this one! Go Mickey Go !

A wonderful inside look at the life of Michael Eisner and all aspects of Disney.