everything designed

Our staff recently had the pleasure of meeting with Roger Berry, Chief Information Officer of Disney Parks and Resorts and to say the least “we have been inspired”. What an amazing experience. Just to make good use of time I am copying or “stealing” notes from my good friend Aaron Unnasch who seems to be a bit more disciplined at recording his thoughts electronically.

Comments from Roger below: (Thanks Aaron)

• At Disney, technology doesn’t make the “magic” happen, but it does enable it.
• God has given everyone the gift of technology. It is our responsibility to learn how He wants us to use it.
• When things are good, the demand for technology goes up. When things are bad, the demand for technology goes up.
• IT must have a seat alongside Finance, HR, and Marketing at the governance table.
• IT must be a part of the decision making process. If not, it is a formula for disaster.
• His 5 points of focus: 1) Stability & Performance 2) Talent Management 3) Segment Strategy 4) Total Cost of Ownership 5) New Technology & Innovation
• Disney knows everything about their customers. They are a trusted brand and, therefore, people willingly share lots of personal information.
• We are more alike than you think. Disney has Intenders –> Repeaters –> Worldphiles. The church has Seekers –> Members –> Disciples.
• You don’t have the resources that Disney has, but you do have power that Disney doesn’t have.
• I believe technology is given to us by God, but it is also a tool of the devil.
• Does your technology plan align with the mission and vision of your organization?
• Are you continually leveraging new technology?
• Will technology change your brand?
• Iteration is important at Disney. We release then release then release….improving each time.
• When I was at Campbell Soup, consultants told us that bad marketing decisions 15 years ago caused us to miss an entire generation. Don’t be late.

Who have you encountered that fits the bill of a Chief Innovation Officer and are you on the journey to take that next step into leadership? Are you truly earning that title “Innovator”? I am refreshing my vision of where I can make the largest impact and seeking God for guidance in this process. Always fun. Always challenging. Who would have it any other way.

Thanks for the feedback: Comments Welcome

Still compiling notes from some outstanding talks with amazing leaders this week. To quickly summarize the things that stood out the most are vision, energy, strategy and execution. They all have it, they all live it and they all expect it. If we are going to be effective in the marketplace, ministry or anywhere for that matter – we need to lead. Check out the line-up below, blog posts to come this week.

Part I
Glenn Gienko
Motorola
Executive Human Resources – Retired
Topic: “Leading with Strategy & Integrity” – (Talk plus Q&A – Half Day)

Part II
Bobby Gruenwald, Terry Storch, Craig Groeshel, John Otjen
LifeChurch.tv
Pastors, Digerati & Innovation Team
Topic: “Innovation, Technology, Church Online & More” – (Round table and Tour 2-Days)

Part III
Kerry Shook
WoodlandsChurch.tv
Senior Pastor and Best Selling Author One Month to Live
Topic: “Capturing the wonder of an untamed God.” (Staff Refresh 1-Day)

Stay tuned. Can’t wait. Peace.

Myra and I got our tickets to this Friday’s Hillsong United Conference. Pumped about checking out these guys. Watched their television program for the first time a few weeks back. Talk about serious quality. Video, worship, message, style, all of the above; excellent. Justin Keller gave me the heads up a month or so back. Even better, planning on heading out to Australia next year to catch them in their home town. How nice would that be? Ok, maybe I’m just praying to go at this point.

It’s still early, grab your tickets and join us Friday night and all day Saturday. Now we got to get Dave, Stan, Chris and Duncan to head down with us. Ready to check out Carl Lentz from the Wave Church, Virginia Beach, VA, Joel Houston the Creative Director at Hillsong Church, Phil Dooley, Chrishan Jeyaratnam Youth Pastor at Hillsong. The past few years has been an amazing time of learning, new experiences and impact. I thank God that He kicks us in the butt sometimes and let’s us know that we are missing it. We always need  to continue learn, we always must be equally comitted to making an impact in our community and where ever God leads.

Link here: http://www.hillsongunitedconference.com/

“Different” is no longer a differentiator. What is? Creating an authentic relationship with your customers.

This is what it means to forge an authentic relationship with your customers. It’s not the kind of relationship that lasts for only one season or that comes on suddenly because your product is cheaper or more beautiful than another’s. It’s the kind of relationship that emerges because you offer something that caters to an essential desire and makes your customers feel they can be themselves. It’s the kind of relationship that allows for mistakes and creates a bond of loyalty. And having established an authentic bond doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels. People change, trends change, and you must always be willing to reinvent yourself as both your company and your customers evolve.

Link Here:
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id20080528_503953.htm

It is amazing to see people step-up into their area of influence. It is just interesting how many leaders it takes all pushing in their own areas to take things up a notch and then somehow God provides the intersection where something amazing can take place.

I just experienced it again today.