Cult of the Mouse: Can We Stop Corporate Greed from Killing Innovation in America? | 
 enlarge | Author: Henry M. Caroselli
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
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Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 576768
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 190
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 1580086330
Dewey Decimal Number: 338.0640973
EAN: 9781580086332
ASIN: 1580086330
Publication Date: November 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Meet Disney's most recently inducted eighth dwarf: Greedy. In corporate America, innovation is being crippled by a blatant focus on short-term profits-the incessant need to "maximize share-holder equity." Disney, a company known worldwide for its innovation and creativity, has become an example of this insular thinking.In CULT OF THE MOUSE, ex-Disneyland director of creative services and successful entrepreneur Henry M. Caroselli uses this once-ingenious company as a framework for a timely, compelling discussion of why America's greatness is in jeopardy and what needs to be fixed to restore our ability to do what we do best, generate paradigM-changing ideas. Drawing upon fascinating historical references not only of Walt Disney, but also of other great innovators, Caroselli provides sage advice for growing a company by giving creativity a boost. Part expose, part how-to, this intriguing, practical business book shows how bad things can happen to even the greatest of companies-giving businesses large and small a much-needed, swift kick in the pants.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
Excellent, Important Book -- and Publisher's Weekly Review Proves Author's Point July 25, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Other customers reviewing Cult of the Mouse here have written that it's excellent and wise; a fresh, important inside look at the ossification of an iconic American corporation -- Disney -- due to its managerial snuffing of the very innovation and creativity that made it great. I agree and recommend the book to you without reservation.
What I need to comment on is Publisher's Weekly hatchet job "review," which fails to disclose a key fact necessary for any reader to judge that review's credibility: The publisher of Publisher's Weekly, Reed Business Information, is also the publisher of several entertainment industry trade publications such as Variety, Daily Variety, Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, etc. etc. As any subscriber to these publications can see on a daily basis (and I am such a subscriber), Disney is one of Reed Business Information's larger advertisers and customers. Shouldn't a credible journalist or reviewer reveal such an important business relationship to the reader? Shouldn't the reader who comes to Amazon for information about a book be informed that the "Editorial Review" is not written, as most customers would assume, by an impartial reviewer, but by a reviewer in business with the company that is the highly displeased subject of the book? Isn't that usually the way journalists and reviewers behave -- disclose their conflicts of interest, rather than hide them?
Caroselli describes artfully within Disney the "don't tell the truth, just tell the toppers what they want to hear" type of communication that is so antithetical to the innovation and creativity that was once Disney's hallmark. Is Publishers Weekly and its parent, Reed Business, guilty of the same in its "review?" Hard to say for sure. But it's easy to say that ANY reviewer worthy of that name should disclose its conflicts. The failure to do so here illustrates just how important Caroselli's message is for corporate America.
So let me make my own disclosure: I met the author once, at a conference I organized about the harmful effects media consolidation and concentration have on creative artists. He asked me to read his manuscript and I was so impressed that I was honored when he asked me to write a jacket blurb. Now, that disclosure wasn't so painful or difficult, was it, Publishers Weekly?
Read the book. Decide for yourself. You won't regret it.
Caroselli makes a statement May 14, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This highly readable and anecdotal observation by a talented and seasoned business professional defines the type of leadership that is critically needed in business today.
The business of America is business. And American business must continue to be innovative and idea-driven business. Idea generation involves seeking excellence through open-mindedness, vision, and tenacity. As the author explores the courage and cost of being an true innovator, he concludes that anyone can engage in a more free associative approach in the search for innovation and become an innovator himself.
Caroselli encourages readers to initiate lasting and real results by sticking to the essence of their vision while searching for innovative approaches to problem solving and effective execution.
Caroselli is accurate in observing that business managers often toss aside good ideas in favor of the easy sell. It will always be tempting to pay "lip service" to innovation and just "manage the work" rather than "make something happen."
It is significant that Caroselli recognizes that the Chinese and Euro markets are growing too quickly to be ignored. To maintain out standard of living as North Americans, we will be compelled to revisit the kind of Yankee ingenuity and idea generation that made this nation whatit is and to assure that our prosperity can continue.
A highly recommended read for any business person- management, creative or, optimally, a person who is both.
Well written, articulate, and accurate May 6, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Caroselli accurately describes the shortsightedness of corporate America today. While I'm sure there are exceptions, I could relate what was written to my 25, and still counting, years in corporate America. I've seen the shift toward short term results at the expense of the long term for many years. When the "long term" comes, corporations end up in fire-fight mode for survival which drives even shorter term decisions and the expense of true R&D and new "idea generation". The book enlists many excellent real world examples to deliver the message.
The book is written in a very entertaining and casual way to make the points feel close to home. Bravo Mr. Caroselli!!
A Big-Time Wake-Up Call March 19, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I worked closely with the author for over a decade and know first-hand that what he's saying here is both valid and smart. But what really knocks me out is something even bigger.
Henry is a thinker, dreamer, inveterate tinkerer and creative type. In another life, he could have been Michaelangelo. What he ISN'T, however, is an author. Until now. And that's my point.
What Henry 's done here is what he's urging you to do. To step forward, get out of your comfort zone and do something new, different and challenging. To rekindle your inherent spirit to create. These are the threads that we, as Americans, have been pulling forward since our nation was born. But as Henry points out, they've become frazzled
in recent years and good ol' Yankee ingenuity isn't what is used to be.
I was in the meeting when a client asked us to take a "Safe risk". I'm a writer and simply walked away shaking my head over its inherent lunacy. I never thought about writing a book. Henry, an art director, used it as the thesis for his book.
I told you he was smart.
Balancing economic reality with creative mandate March 11, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Caroselli bangs the drum for more creative input and control within the corporate structure.
What happens when bean counters are given carte blanche to reorganize an activity that is essentially a product of creative thought?
The short term answer is obviously greater profits but at what cost? Every member of a board of directors should read this book. It explores the real cost of sacrificing everything to the great profit Moloch.
Perhaps long term corporate prosperity is better served by open communication within the company and this would perforce include those pesky creative types and their expensive ideas.
Clearly Disney was a uncompromising mavarick genius who risked everything to acheive an ideal. Shouldn't we be looking for the same attributes in our corporate leaders?
Well written and interesting.
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