Kenversations™: The Mouse After Michael Eisner, and Vice-Versa
Page 2 of 2
Now, what about Michael Eisner?
Michael should bow out as gracefully as he can at this
point. He should work on transitioning Corporate Administration to make things
go as smoothly as possible. There is no question that he was a key player in
saving and revitalizing the Company, but things have changed since then, and the
company performance and reputation has taken some beatings in the last ten
years. It is still possible for Michael to be remembered by investors,
employees, and fans in a positive light if he pulls off his exit right.
One of the most ridiculous “charges�? leveled at the annual meeting was that Roy E. Disney “phoned in his work from a castle in Ireland.�?
So what if he did? That would be a smart thing! Roy should have some fun and relaxation. This life is over much too short, and there were plenty of capable people back the Studio, who didn’t need someone breathing down their neck at every turn.
You know what? Michael should consider living that way. Life is short, Michael. Prepare the Company for new leadership, bow out, and spend the rest of your time:
Investing- you’ve been doing that, right? You should have made more than enough dough to do that;
Speaking- you’re a likable guy in public speaking situations, and you’ve got a lot to talk about;
Doing charity work- as you have been doing;
Simply enjoying yourself. You’ve worked hard for a long time. Don’t work until your dying day.
Thank goodness my own father is about to retire. If that workaholic -a man who strived for a long time to make it to the top and gave it his all- can see the value in retirement, maybe he could convince Michael of the same.
Give me a call, Michael. I’ll set up dinner with the ol’ man and we’ll talk about it. I’ll even write your retirement speech for you.
Discuss It
Related Links
-- Ken Pellman
Ken Pellman is Disney shareholder who has been a Disneyana collector, a student filmmaker, a serial Walt Disney World tourist, a Disneyland annual passholder (five years) and cast member (thirteen years) a cinema aficionado, animation fan, and theme park nerd who has formally studied theme park design. He works in public relations. Ken can be reached directly at Kenversations[at]flash[dot]net or at http://www.Pellman.net, where you can learn more about him.
Kenversations is most often during the second and fourth week of each month.
The views, opinions and comments of Ken Pellman, and all of our columnists, are not necessarily those of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
--Posted March 22, 2004
©2004 Ken Pellman, all rights reserved. Licensed to LaughingPlace.com.