December 12, 2013 alyssakent3158

Most Reputable Company

For those of you that have followed our blog, you have read up on how Disney gives back to the environment as well as their employees and guests. Giving back to community is also one of Disney’s founding principles and is a major reason for why Disney is on top. Disney has created memorable Heroes, Heroines, Princesses and Sidekicks that everyone loves. They create a magical experience for their guests and provide their employees with incredible benefits. As an organization, Disney has done a tremendous job of strengthening the community and supporting the well being of families, and especially children. They give back to communities is through sponsorship, volunteering, and charity.

Disney sponsors many organizations across the world. My personal favorite is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) School Supply Drive. Their mission is to prepare children to succeed in school. One million kids fail to graduate high school every year and Disney is here to make a difference. This club provides school supplies, homework help, academic enrichment activities, as well as tutoring help. Did you know 15.1 million kids are left unsupervised after school everyday?! Thanks to BGCA, kids are provided with after-school programming to keep them on track to a successful future. Disney announced a $250,000 donation and Disney VoluntEARS helps support the cause and pushes kids towards a positive future. VoluntEARS is a charitable organization that provides opportunities for Disney cast members and employees to dedicate their time for giving back to local communities. The reason behind all of this giving and corporate citizenship parallels with Disney’s values.

Disney lives by three core values: compassion, conservation and creativity. Specializing in these areas really separates Disney apart from most companies. They donate, volunteer, and sponsor those in need in hope of creating happiness and encouraging imagination. So what happens when a company puts this much effort into corporate citizenship? Forbes ranked Disney the #1 company with the best CSR reputation in 2013. Actually, they are tied with Google for the #1 spot, but still how incredible is that!

As our blog is coming to an end, I must say I have learned how important it is for a company to be a good corporate citizen that supports healthy causes. I hope someday to work for a company as reputable as Disney. As a company, Disney excels in the area of CSR and has set an admirable tone that all other corporations should follow. Disney is without a doubt making a positive impact in the world and should be praised for their exceptional business model.

December 11, 2013 jonathanaal

The Magic Unveiled: Teamwork

In the past few weeks we at the Disney’s Corporate Citizenship blog have tried to give you a glimpse into all the CSR and sustainability goals that the Walt Disney Company accomplishes; however, have you really thought about the magic that goes on behind all those numbers, facts, and accomplishments? What makes all those CSR and sustainability efforts come to fruition? I would suggest that it is the employment TEAM under the Walt Disney Company umbrella that make all the aspirations and dreams of Walt—specifically those CSR and ‘green’ related—come true!

Throughout this blogging assignment I have often caught myself in awe of how much our blogging team has been able to accomplish, simply because we make a great team! While there are only four of us, just think about Disney’s 60,000+ member staff that accomplishes so much because those staff members are aligned as a team with similar focus and goals. Speaking of aligned team members, at Disney there is a focus called the “Green Standard.” The Green Standard helps motivate and facilitate employees to act in a green manner at work, while traveling, and at home!

I have come to realize that one of the most invaluable assets that the Walt Disney Company DOES NOT have on its balance sheet is its WORKFORCE. Through each of these blogs, each describing amazing CSR accomplishments, I see a great team/workforce behind those environmental and social endeavors making the magic possible!

I believe it is important to note that a great CSR program must be woven into the very fabric of an organization—touching every aspect of the business. The effectiveness of Disney’s CSR programs is a result of CSR not being isolated into a particular business silo; rather it is something that deeply penetrates each and every business segment of the Walt Disney Business.

It is hard to believe that the conclusion of this blog is quickly approaching, but I think that it is evident, through the dreams of Walt Disney, that CSR is at the heart of all people and it is PEOPLE, formed as a team, that make CSR a reality. I would like to take this time to give a “HATS OFF” to all the employees of the Walt Disney Company who make such a grand CSR program magical! Also, I would like to thank our blogging team for helping me re-realize the power of a great team!

December 10, 2013 isabelkieszkowski

Isabel’s Choice: Enviroport

Hello readers! My topic of choice for discussion today is Disney’s annual environmental report: Enviroport. This is a report communicating major topics within Disney’s citizenship performance. Enviroport is available for anyone to view at the website Disneysenviroport.com. I think this report is fantastic because of how much information it provides (124 pages in the 2012 report, to be exact) on some of the Walt Disney Comapany’s projects that would normally be difficult to find information on. Disney makes a point in the introduction of last year’s report that they believe acting responsibly is an integral part to its brand.

The report lists various goals the company wishes to reach each year or by a stated date, then it provides a status for the project followed by a short summary. By writing an easily coherent report, the Walt Disney Company has obviously made its projects accessible to anyone wishing to know more of Disney’s philanthropic and environmental endeavors. Being a business student myself, I know from past experience in writing essays and doing research that not every company shares a simple, yet detailed environmental report like Enviroport. It is especially rare for a company to dedicate an entire website to its corporate citizenship report. This is exactly why the Walt Disney Company has been named one of Fortune’s top ten “World’s Most Admired Companies” in 2013.

2012’s Enviroport, the most recent report to date, included information on five major categories: community engagement, responsible content, environmental stewardship, ethical conduct and responsible workplaces. This blog has covered some of the information in the report such as Disney’s cruise line environmental initiatives and emissions and electricity conservation. But this report goes into specific details on projects that Disney has initiated in terms of philanthropy and environmental consciousness.

One project that struck me as interesting is Disney’s goal to support the creation of 50 play spaces for children by 2016. Under the status of the project lists “on track,” with a description stating that “in 2012, 22 spaces were completed.” Disney’s overall goal for its community engagement is to build on their philanthropic legacy with programs that share resources to make lasting, positive change in communities and promote the happiness and well-being of kids and families. This specific program is a great example of how The Walt Disney Company aims to positively affect its community at such a magnified level.

Enviroport also discusses the details of a broad goal for Disney: to make a net positive impact on the ecosystem. This may seem like an extensive target to reach; yet the report coherently lists projects that will achieve Disney’s goal for positive environmental impact. One plan supporting Disney’s goal is to apply the company’s integrated approach to sustainable design, engineering, and habitat protection for a pilot construction project by 2013. This project is listed as “on track.” Currently this plan is being implemented at new building sites and is experimental, but the goal of the project is to set a future standard for new construction sites in designated ecosystems. Many companies claim to be working for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, but this project actually supports Disney’s desire to be considered a socially conscious corporate brand.

I have only mentioned a few of Disney’s target goals and projects to being a socially sound corporation. Enviroport lists a total of 139 economic, environmental and ethical impacts of the Walt Disney Company’s performance. The projects range from small-scale plans to globally designated changes. Be sure to check out the latest Enviroport yourself! (click here to view 2012’s report)

All in all, the Walt Disney Company has truly created a business focused on delivering happiness. Happiness can mean many different things, but to some a healthy planet and conscious society means all the happiness in the world. I would like to personally thank the readers of this blog and my fellow authors for taking part in learning so much about the wonderful corporation that is the Walt Disney Company and what they aim to offer to the world.

December 9, 2013 carlisolomon

Carli’s Choice: The Impact of Walt on Disney

As you might already be aware, this will be the last week of posting for these CU students. In order to make this a happy ending, as a group we decided to deem this week’s theme as author’s choice. Throughout this journey you have read a lot about how Disney is trying to establish a smaller eco-footprint. Today I would like to pay a tribute to Walt Disney, who respected the environment greatly. He was quoted saying:

“Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of trees, fresh-water ponds, seaweed jungles between tides and even drops of water. Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine. How could this earth of ours, which is only a speck in the heavens, have so much variety of life, so many curious and exciting creatures?” – Walter Disney

Walt Disney became interested in personalizing animals’ characters after carelessly killing a small owl as a young boy. He felt deeply remorseful and guilty and vowed never again to kill a living creature. Personally, I forget that most of Disney’s characters are modeled after animals. And for that reason, it is no surprise that Disney plays a large role in ensuring nature conservation and animal care. Disney is such an inspiring business because they choose to act on their late founders values to this day. To act on Walt’s values, the company founded their very own organization, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, in 1995 (on Earth Day), to help scientists and communities worldwide study animals and their habitats. The fund supports the study of wildlife and the protection of habitats and the development of community conservation and education programs in critical ecosystems around the world. Recently the organization has expanded their focus to help connect kids and nature through exploration and discovery. The goal of this program is to help educate kids to ensure they will have lifelong conservation values.

The Tree of Life at Walt Disney World

In addition to hands-on learning, they inspire kids through Disneynature films. These films share a wide variety of wildlife stories, hoping to engage and educate everyone, not just children. Through donations for these films, Disneynature, through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, has planted three million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, established 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, protected 65,000 acres of savanna in Kenya, protected nearly 130,000 acres of wild chimpanzee habitat, educated 60,000 school children about chimpanzee conservation and cared for chimpanzees.

A Disneynature Film

In case you had any doubts, it is true that 100 percent of every dollar goes directly to DWCF projects. In addition, The Walt Disney Company matches all guest contributions to the DWCF and covers all overhead costs associated with the Fund. Projects are reviewed and evaluated by Disney’s Environment staff which includes, scientists, animal keepers, and educators to ensure the funds will truly make a difference for wildlife. Not only is this process efficient, but it is extremely self-less of Disney to put their values before their profits. Disney is able to do this successfully because they structure their business to achieve their desired goals and targets by creating strategies and solutions. Disney recognizes the importance of ensuring that their values last much longer than the business itself. Walt Disney was a smart, imaginative man.

December 8, 2013 alyssakent3158

Last week’s conclusion

Some thoughts on last week’s topic from the authors…

“After doing some research on how Disney’s parks make an effort to engage in sustainable tourism, it has really made me interested in how the tourism industry as a whole deals with the environment. I think now wherever I travel I will keep in mind what Disneyland does to promote environmental sustainability.” –Isabel

“Wow, what a week! It has been a blistering cold few days in Boulder and after learning about all the great things Disney World Park is doing to promote sustainability I can’t dismiss that fact that a vacation to the park in Florida sounds pretty good…for many reasons! Thanks for following us and stay tuned for another round of great information about Disney CSR!” –Jonathan

“It is a peculiar thought to think about all the things that go into running the Disney Parks that we are not even aware of. After reading about the parks and resorts worldwide, I am inspired by Disney’s ability to expand while improving their standard of quality. I think other business can learn a lot from Disney’s practices. I now have a strong desire to go to their resorts because I know my money will be well spent.” –Carli

“After learning all about Disney’s environmental stewardship, I value the company so much more. Their efforts in sustainable tourism are beyond other companies, which makes them a leader in their industry. I would love to go on a Disney vacation due to their love for the environment.” –Alyssa

Thank you all for following our blog! It has been a great experience for all of us. I am sad to say this upcoming week will be our final week of blogging. The last few blogs will be the authors choice so stay tuned!

December 5, 2013 Image alyssakent3158

Euro Disney develops green destinations

Hello all, previously this week everyone has touched on how Disney parks use innovative thinking to maximize their environmental stewardship. Today, I will be sharing with you two resort locations that will blow your mind. Disney’s environmental sustainability parallels with their parks.

Disneyland has partnered with the public to develop a model town focused on energy innovation and ecosystem treatment; it is called Val d’Europe. Euro Disney started this partnership in 1987 and has been extended to 2030, with an emphasis on improving the community of France as a whole in the present and for future generations. This town provides housing for Disneyland Paris employees, as well as increases the need for labor. They continue to build the public facilities. They have a smaller university called Marne-la-Vallée, daycare centers, nurseries, five media libraries, and they recently opened a new hospital. Val d’Europe is focused on benefiting the community by developing this “new town” that demonstrates environmental goals. Disney is definitely going above and beyond with this idea. Euro Disney really helped develop this major urban center into something special that brings a community together while staying green.

Here is a bird’s eye view of Villages Nature. So much green!

It seems to be a trend developing overseas, but Euro Disney and Pierre & Vacances joined forced to develop a new concept of a vacation destination that harmonizes humans and nature. This destination will be called Villages Nature and will be located just South of the Disney Paris Park. They developed a Sustainable Action Plan that relies on ten measurable targets aimed at reducing the destination’s ecological footprint, ensuring social responsibility, and developing synergies with the local communities. They are targeting European consumers and will offer a unique experience where they can connect with nature. 90% of the resort is retained as green space giving guests plenty of space and ultimate relaxation.

The resort is going to offer numerous recreational and learning activities hoping to inspire future generations to be environmental friendly. I think it is great that Disney is reaching out to our generation in hope for a better future for all. Across this resort will be nothing better energy efficient sources. It will be heated by a deep geothermal source that will produce no greenhouse gas emissions! Their corporate social responsibility isn’t just saving our planning, but it is creating 4,500 job opportunities once this resort is fully operational.

Seems like America’s environmental stewardship is behind France’s. I’m not complaining though, Disney has contributed so much to our planet and encourages everyone to as well.

December 4, 2013 jonathanaal

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World…it is the place where kids and adults can escape into a blissful magical adventure. It is also one of the most environmentally conscientious theme parks ever! To continue to realize the dream of Walt Disney it takes everyone involved in the operations of Walt Disney World to contribute to and take pride in making the earth we all share a better place for everyone. This team includes you…and all visitors! Together, the Walt Disney World resort has been able to manage its waste contribution, make significant leaps toward more green energy consumption, be caring stewards and researchers of the wildlife and animals found both inside Disney World Park walls and outside, and connect with the community to raise awareness on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Green energy has been a significant focus of the Walt Disney World Park. This includes running ride vehicles on environmentally friendly biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and electricity. Additionally, the Walt Disney World Park has undertaken a massive conversion of changing its light fixtures to LED. These efforts have gained the Walt Disney World Resort an EPA “Energy Star Partner” status.

Do you know how big the Walt Disney World Resort is? Well, it encompasses more than 40 square miles! Of those 40 square miles more than 13 have been permanently dedicated as wildlife conservation areas! While I am sure there are some pretty nice tax advantages to this, I have no doubts the Walt Disney World Park dedicated this land for the preservation of wildlife habitat—monetary perks are just some of the many economic benefits of practicing CSR!

Waste management is a huge concern of the Walt Disney World Park and in the eyes of Disney there is no better way to be environmentally conscientious than reusing and recycling what one uses! At the park recycling initiatives have resulted in the Walt Disney World Park recycling more than 100,000 tons of materials…every year! How about reusing the water that the park uses? Well it does that too! Reclaimed water is used for landscape irrigation and keeping all those park vehicles sparkling clean.

It’s no wonder why the Walt Disney Company and especially its parks are world-renowned leaders in CSR and environmental sustainability! I believe we could all learn a thing or two from the way the Walt Disney Company conducts business and aligns it priorities.

December 3, 2013 isabelkieszkowski

Sustainable Tourism

Hello all! Isabel here again, and today we will be discussing a few aspects of Disnyland in Anaheim, California, as being a major location for sustainable tourism.

Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, is a leader amongst many in a new category of travel: sustainable tourism. Walt Disney himself was a proponent to environmental respect and sound environmental practices with his ever-growing tourism business sector. Just small adjustments to some of Disney’s operations created a sound business model, which does not disturb the environment. For example, the many trains chugging through Disneyland Park are fueled with a soy-based biodiesel as an effort to decrease fuel emission. On a train track that spans 1.5 miles long in a loop, chugging through the park from 9 am to 8 pm, imagine how much of an affect it would have on the ecosystem if it were run by standard gasoline! Even the Mark Twain Riverboat is run on cooking oil biodiesel, maintaining friendly emissions from the Rivers of America in the park.

Disneyland has replaced old lighting and fixtures with more energy-efficient alternatives, and increased efficiency of chillers, heat exchanges, air handlers and pumps through technology enhancements and controls in an effort to conserve energy in terms of Disneyland’s climate and energy operations. Every time I have visited Disneyland, I have always been curious to see the electricity bills of such a huge establishment, just imagine! At night when all the lights on trees, rides, resorts light up, it is a spectacle to the eye, however I am sure it is not kind to Disney’s budget. It is reassuring to know that Disneyland has been proactive in minimizing not only their costs, but minimizing the energy that the park requires. The surrounding residential land in Anaheim is not affected by Disneyland’s expenses only because of their consistent efforts to minimize energy usage. This goes hand in hand with Walt Disney’s wishes to leave the environment undisturbed around his parks.

Sustainable tourism is especially noticeable with the consistent construction occurring in tourist areas. I have recently visited Las Vegas, Nevada, and am one of many tourists who frequently visit yet am always taking detours on the sidewalks due to construction. The fumes and ruble visible to a regular bystander in Las Vegas make me wonder how unfriendly construction efforts are. This is not the case in Disneyland. Disneyland Park has very high standards for its construction and refurbishing of attractions. Responsible wood is located for its buildings and attractions, literally framing Disneyland with consciously attained material. Existing recycling programs at the park have diminished construction-related waste with the recycling of steel and wood. To me, these efforts in the construction of new buildings and attractions maintain sustainable tourism for generations to come. Those who will visit Disneyland in the future should be comforted to know that the bridges they walk on in the park did not come from endangered rain forests.

Water conservation efforts have enabled Disneyland’s aquifer withdrawals to remain level over the past 20 years of Disneyland’s operation. 6 million gallons of water is reclaimed every day to recharge the park’s aquifer. With 14 water attractions alone in Disneyland, this water recycling effort allows for the park to eliminate over consumption of water from its surrounding area. Take a look at Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise, which has been decorated for the upcoming holidays! The Jungle Cruise is a famous attraction that used to operate on an open waterway and now floats visitors through an authentic jungle ecosystem.

I am glad to say that Disneyland Park in Anaheim has made multiple efforts to maximize sustainability for its tourists. Hopefully you too will be floating along the Jungle Cruise soon!

December 2, 2013 carlisolomon

Disney Around the World

Hello Readers! This is Carli back this week to talk about Disney’s various parks! Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, also known as Disney Parks, originally Walt Disney Attractions, is one of The Walt Disney Company’s five major business segments. In 2009, the company’s theme parks hosted approximately 119.1 million guests, making Disney Parks the world’s most visited theme park company Disney currently has theme parks in 6 locations around the world. They also manage a resort in Hawaii, Aulani, which was not intended to have a theme park.

Disney’s first original magic kingdom, Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, was built in 1955. Disneyland recently has undergone expansion for the new addition of Disney California Adventure. In 1971 Walt Disney World in Florida opened, featuring Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Today, it is the largest single-site employer in the United States featuring five golf courses, 25 owned-and-operated resorts, multiple retail and dining centers and a cast members who represent 80 nationalities and who speak more than 50 languages. Walt Disney World is the most visited theme park company and more significantly, it incorporates responsible environmental practices at all of its parks.

Beyond the Borders of The United States, Disney has theme parks in Hong Kong, Paris, and Tokyo and in 2015 they will open a park in Shanghai. The resort will include Shanghai Disneyland, two themed hotels, a large retail, dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities and a lake. Hong Kong Disneyland was the first theme park to be built in China and quickly became one of the region’s top tourist destinations. Over 31 million guests have visited the location likely because of the beautiful view of the South China Sea. Recently the resort announced a plan for expansion; the park will receive three new lands: Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land by 2014.

Hong Kong

The first Disney theme park to be built outside of the United States, Tokyo Disney Resort opened on April 15, 1983. The Resort includes two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland which was modeled after the original Disneyland Park, and its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea. These are the only Disney Parks in the world that are not owned by the Walt Disney Company.

DisneySea Tokyo

Disneyland Paris, originally Euro Disney Resort, is an entertainment resort in Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. The resort was originally modeled after Disney World in Florida, and now includes two theme parks, Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park.

This week you will learn about the various things these parks are doing to become more sustainable and how they are giving back to society. Check out our Social Media for more fun facts and information on our blog!

Disney's Corporate Citizenship

A DISCUSSION ON THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EFFORTS OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Month: December 2013