Anyone who thinks you shouldn't put money back into the business is not a very good business man.
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"People look at me in many ways. They've said, 'The guy has no regard for money.' That is not true. I have had regard for money. It depends on who's saying that. Some people worship money as something you've got to have piled up in a big pile somewhere. I've only thought about money in one way, and that is to do something with it. I don't think there's a thing I own that I will ever get the benefit of except through doing things with it. I don't even want the dividends from the stock in the studio, because the government's going to take it away. I'd rather have that in (the company) working..." —Walt Disney
"I knew if this business was ever to get anywhere, if this business was ever to grow, it could never do it by having to answer to someone unsympathetic to its possibilities, by having to answer to someone with only one thought or interest, namely profits. For my idea of how to make profits has differed greatly from those who generally control businesses such as ours. I have blind faith in the policy that quality, tempered with good judgment and showmanship, will win against all odds." —Walt Disney
I agree but modern business seems to be focused on short term gain, leading to long term loss (which the powers that be seem to think is someone else's problem)
If only we could have someone in charge who truly loves the business. Walt wasn't perfect and yes he was a business man but he loved the business. :mickey:
Everyone likes to quote Walt, but these are quotes from the 1950's and 60's and the business world is not the same. We really don't know how Walt would have adjusted in today's business climate. We can guess, but we are using data from almost 50 years ago. How would he have handled the financial problems of the company in the 80's when Eisner took over? Would he have brought him in? Would he have tried to do it his way to save the company and possibly have the company be a part of a hostile takeover?
Both great points to ponder. Would they have bought ABC? For that matter, how would Walt and Roy felt about the explosion of the cable industry? I think they would have embraced digital technology, but still tried to keep drawn animation alive.
Actually business (as a "thing") isn't radically different now. Most companies have the same goals and the core methods are startlingly close to what they were 50 years ago. Globalization has certainly put a unique spin on things, but the core principles are the same. Walt was different because his goals were different. He was consumed by the desire to create and innovate; two words that did (and do) scare the pants off financial types. He saw money as just another tool, not the end goal. If he lost a chunk on something (which happened A LOT) he would pivot and attack his projects from another angle. He was able to do what he did because he used methods that typical businessmen thought were insane. Unfortunately, it seems that his namesake company has for too long been run by "typical businessmen."
I see a major bottle neck in front of that pavilion.