(PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 3, 2003) - Although students cannot take a journey through Space Mountain or It’s A Small World, many do enjoy their experience while being advised at the Phoenix College Advisement Center. Cheryl Axtell, Director of the Advisement Center, has incorporated many Disney philosophies, helping to create a relaxed working environment for employees, and a welcoming place for students.

When Axtell discovered a Disney seminar in Arizona, she was immediately interested. As a caring and involved manager, the management techniques that Disney taught served to validate Axtell's personal management style, as well as introduce her to new ideas and concepts to implement in the Advisement Center.

After attending the Disney seminar, Axtell was able to visit Banner Thunderbird Hospital where the Disney management style has proven effective. Seeing the Disney philosophies in action served as conformation to her that the approach really works.

Of Disney’s many philosophies of management, two core aspects are service excellence and loyalty. By bringing these ideas into the workplace, internal communication improves, customer service skills are sharpened and employees learn to work well as a team and to pay attention to detail. These aspects are evident in all of the themes taught by the Disney institute.

The first theme that the Disney seminar focused on was called How Do You Bump Your Lamp. The silly title refers to a scene in the movie, Roger Rabbit, where a character accidentally bumps a lamp and it swings back and forth, illuminating the faces of the two characters in the scene. The two faces illuminated on and off are hardly noticed, but given a closer look, are very noticeable. That is the point: Paying attention to detail counts, and someone will notice.

A second idea that is now part of the Advisement Center’s work philosophy is called Magical Moments. This is about planning ahead, crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s.

"If we are able to look ahead and plan for what’s to come, it alleviates stress," said Axtell. "How employees are feeling is critical and by being prepared, they are able to relax and enjoy their jobs, even during stressful moments."

Examples of this concept are the coloring books designed by two Advisement Center staff, Elena Hernandez and Cecilia Quiroz-Vasquez, for the children of students who are waiting for advisement. By implementing the Magic Moments philosophy of planning ahead, the Advisement Center is able to turn what might be a stressful time into a fun one for the children.

The third theme that Axtell incorporated into her office is called Take Five. This spontaneous action involves stepping out of the moment and doing something different in order to maintain happiness and possibly reduce stress in the workplace.

Axtell used this concept successfully at the end of summer when, at the spur of the moment, she decided that the next day would be "Slipper Day!" It had been extremely busy in the Advisement Center and Axtell overheard her staff talking about how they wished they could come to work in slippers. She used the Take Five approach and told the office that everyone could wear slippers the next day. This served to lighten the mood, turning negative energy into positive energy.

"Instead of talking about another busy day, they were chatting about what slippers they were going to wear tomorrow," said Axtell. "There was much less stress in the office the next day. If the stress level rises, it can carry over to the students and we don’t want that to happen."

As far as the Advisement Center staff is concerned, Axtell’s Disney style of management is a huge success. It was mutually agreed that bringing fun and happiness into the workplace helps everyone work together as a team and support each other.

Raymond Lira who works in the Advisement Center is also a cartoonist. He takes it upon himself to draw a cartoon about a situation that occurred in advisement. The cartoons are a way to make people laugh and everyone in the office looks forward to them.

Recently it was spirit week at Phoenix College, and everyone had a chance to see the Advisement Center in action. Their spirit theme was Your Degree Is Not 70,000 Light Years Away. Dressed as space visitors with painted faces and tin foiled hair, the advisors met with students and everyone went about their daily activities.

"This shows they have a sense of humor," said Ruth Flamenco, student at Phoenix College. "It gives the students a chance to just relax instead of being so serious about school."

Because of Axtell’s successful management style, she was asked to take the lead in starting a Service Excellence Team on campus. This team is open to faculty, managers and staff and is working to develop a service excellence plan for Phoenix College. For more information about the Service Excellence Team or to participate, please contact Cheryl Axtell at (602) 285-7558.

(Cartoon by Raymond Lira, Advisement Center)

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