This article is copyrighted by Skip Prichard, republishing is not permitted. It’s still about metrics; the key question is which metrics? I figured life is too short and I want to be around people I enjoy, in a business I enjoy, with a culture and a way of doing business that I enjoy. We want to have a family atmosphere.” How do you create a culture where this is possible? It’s just a neat cultural thing. Define reality corporately and individually. I was much more autocratic. Manby is committed to growing HFE whilst reinforcing the ethics established by the Herschends – HFE’s mission is to “create memories worth repeating”. The company owns and operates (or co-owns), more than 25 amusement parks in about 10 states. See Andrew Wexler's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. Cary founded Churchill Coffee Company, Adventure Legacy and Legends, and Treasures of the Holy Land. Herschend Family Entertainment is a privately owned themed-entertainment company that operates several theme parks and tourist attractions within the United States. We are all evaluated on the seven words outlined in Love Works. It does amazing things and people get really energized because they know that the company cares for them. After a few years with Saturn, Manby was promoted to CEO of Saab Automobile USA. We had no editing rights and the first time I saw the episode was when 18 million Americans saw it. Join thousands of subscribers in the Leadership Insights community for a regular diet of ideas to fuel your success. We have Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park where we actually cover the huge laser lawn with snow and we open up all winter [see image left]. In the car industry I had worked up from the ground level and I knew every job. So with the team we put together a definition of the culture down on paper so that everybody knew what was expected. However, we only require our employees behave in a manner consistent with the seven words. To have accommodation near our big parks that would be our new business. If you read this and get excited you should come here. They have good bones, they have good heritage and have been in those markets for a long time. I’m not pretending at all that we get it right all the time but I know that there are 700 people out there that are a lot more enthusiastic than they were before with our help. I love the concept of “be” versus “do” goals. After all, for once I loved my job and I loved the way people were treated; including myself. What was your approach to taking over the reigns of HFE in 2003 – what were the challenges you faced in becoming CEO of a long standing much loved family business? I have never understood in life why people feel like at work they have to throw away whatever values they hold dear to them at home. July 16, 2012 | Books & Authors, Leadership. Everybody is energised around that and a lot of magic happens. [Above: While undercover, Joel Manby went back in time at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri]. Ours is to “create memories worth repeating.”. After reading this book, I could tell that Joel meant every word of it. I grew up actually very poor and I worked very hard to get where I was, but there’s no way you remember quite like you should, what it’s like to work from paycheck to paycheck and the struggles you go through. Themed Design: Scary Monsters and Dr Who in 3D, Mirage Entertainment & OCT Group’s Win-Win-Cooperation: OCT Hike — Children’s Professional Experience City, Blooloop talks to Great Wolf CEO Kim Schaefer, Interview with Merlin Entertainment's Mark Fisher, MD Theme Parks, Blooloop interviews Tom Mehrmann, Chief Executive, Ocean Park Corporation, World Leadership through People and Creative Ideas : An interview with Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group, Retro Squad: back to the 1980s at Alton Towers, Recycling and transforming retail spaces to create new experiences. We don’t want to have a partnership that doesn’t fit our brand. So throughout the company you see these little handwritten notes from Jack framed on the walls. Herschend Family Entertainment is a privately-held company that has secured a strong clasp on the second tier of the theme-park business across huge swaths of America, operating popular attractions in places bypassed by behemoths like Disney and Six Flags. As long as you clearly define what success is and they are left to get on with it then I find that it works better and everyone is happier. That is not a simple answer, but I would say to those reading to read the book to find out. Joel Manby is the incoming CEO of SeaWorld and the former CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment. Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE) CEO and President Joel Manby announced today three key promotions as the company continues to grow it . Are there any particularly exciting new attractions that you can tell us about? What key lessons have you learnt in your time with HFE and in the Industry generally? I’m sure there are other attractions run like this but for me the Herschend’s approach was very different. Corporate success? That’s probably been the biggest change for me because it’s all about making sure that the front line is enthusiastic. But I think the bigger thing, the most important thing that I did, was to define what our culture was. Joel’s is the author of Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders, a book about practicing love at work. I can achieve that in a number of personal endeavors; but feel blessed to be able to achieve it in a growing, profitable business. Are you seeking to expand current brands in this cash efficient model, using CNL or a similar partner for capital investment? The Company offers adventure aquarium, stone … Just as I set aside time to accomplish my “do” goals, I also set aside time to accomplish my “be” goals. I’m a big believer in handwritten notes, and have written about their power. I know for a lot a theme park companies they have taken the exact opposite approach and have kind of used their customers and are selling advertising to them. The former CEO of Saturn, Skip LeFauve, said something that had a big impact on you. It was the kind of leadership that leads to actions pleasing to Jesus. It’s family … Doyle worked for Herschend Family Entertainment from September 2008 to December 2011, according to his LinkedIn page. If he looks familiar, you may recognize him from his appearance on CBS’ Undercover Boss. The top score in both gets the highest raise. When I left the auto industry after 20 years and began a new chapter in my life at HFE, I created a set of “be” goals for myself. Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) is a privately owned themed-entertainment company that operates several theme parks and tourist attractions within the United States. We have actually debated that on all of our parks. On our logo that leaf represents our desire to keep trees standing. I just think its good business. I define personal success as being consistent to my own personal mission statement:  to love God and love others. We have an interesting thing at Newport Aquarium called Penguin Palooza with some new incredibly attractive arctic Rockhopper penguins. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site. We don’t try to connect most of our parks with the Herschend name. But happiness in the workplace eluded him until he answered what he describes as “a calling” to join HFE; Manby has served on the HFE Board since in 1998 and was appointed CEO in 2003. Jesus #1 command is to love others as he loved us: unconditionally. At a Herschend board meeting I get just as many questions about the people scores, our guest scores, our employee scores, reinforcing all the time that our own people and customers have to come first. Any employee at any level has the power to make a difference. The frontline employees, they’re the key. I know that if you went to all of our properties and asked, I would be shocked if there was anybody who didn’t know that that was our mission because we’ve been worked so hard to train it, and every host, every employee understands what their role is to create memories worth repeating. Herschend is the largest family owned theme park in the US owing 26 locations including Dollywood and Stone Mountain. Their enthusiasm has to be high so we have to try to help them solve their issues. On today’s episode we are joined by Jack Herschend, Co-Founder and former CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment. If we had hours I could bore you with incredible stories of what our employees do. I’m soooo grateful you all choose to share him with us. If they spend too much money doing it then we try to coach them on how they could spend less next time or in a different way, but they will never get in trouble . It was great for the very hard working front line employees that we have there. As an example, when I was in the car business I would go to a board meeting and ever question, every grilling that you got was always about the numbers – only about what your margins were, what your growth was. Jack, as a young employee when working for his mother Mary, was fired twice by her for knocking down trees unnecessarily. It’s subjective but it leads the conversation. Harvard Business School. Images: Kind courtesy of Herschend Family Entertainment. Last year we helped over 700 families and we increased our giving by over 200% so were headed in the right direction. Most leaders are too busy taking the next hill to ever thank those helping them get there. It was really hard in some ways but Jack and Pete made it quite simple. Are you looking to increase partnerships? The room was filled with a variety of students pursuing careers in theme parks, computer science, engineering and business, hailing from as far as Dubai. What is the role of partnerships for HFE and how do you balance corporate promotional goals with your mission? Tell me more about your transition from hard-hitting analytical executive to someone who sees love as a business success factor. We actually measure people on the numbers but also on their behaviour and that reinforces the culture. Upon graduating from Albion, Manby worked at General Motors and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Properties include Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri and Tennessee's Dollywood, in partnership with country legend Dolly Parton. Storyline Joel Manby is a former big cat in the auto industry who has settled down into the wholesome and fulfilling job as CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment. From our guest feedback we wanted something for smaller guests. He'll give up his executive office and expensive account to work on the front lines of his own company. Get Your Guide to a Solid Night of Sleep free when you sign up to receive blog updates via email. Yes, I was nervous to do it. That note had a powerful impact, as can notes from any of us. I’m a student of successful culture. That, in fact happened for the first 10 years of Saturn. Can you tell us of any particularly interesting initiatives and what they bring to the company? (And what a great name he has!) For most of the company’s first 50 years Mary’s sons Jack and Pete headed up the business, imbuing the organisation with their family values. The numbers, the financial results will fall out of that and are not the primary objectives. Its properties include branson, Missouri's silver dollar city theme park, showboat branson belle lake attraction, white water park, and celebration city theme park. You’re quoted as saying, “We have such a twisted perception, most companies, that work has to be bad, it has to be hard. Stick to your values in all circumstances. So for me, leading with love is a perfect way to integrate my faith into my work. We’re going to bring stability back and grow the local brands. The last one came out of Undercover Boss. Would you briefly explain that concept? Actually, we don’t focus on faith at HFE; we focus 100% on behavior. Of course Dolly has been a fantastic partner and it was great to see her get recognition. With HFE are you trying to develop or roll out your own brand or enhance the local brands? We were very excited about it. Get Your Guide to a Solid Night of Sleep free when you sign up to receive blog updates via email. I actually feel better about this style of leadership. We’re not perfect : we do the best we can do, and we do it because we believe it’s right. My dad passed away in 2004 and they have been like second fathers to me. And now CEO Joel Manby is leading the Atlanta-based, $350-million, family-owned concern on a new adventure as great as any of … What was the significance of Dollywood winning the Applause Award in 2010? To the outside world we won’t try to hang the Herschend name on it . Jack attended Northwestern University and served as a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps before returning home to … (Brief Article, Interview, Company Profile) by "Wall Street Transcript Digest"; Banking, finance and accounting Business Leisure industry . Joel Manby, Herschend Family Entertainment President and CEO which owns Silver Dollar City and Stone Mountain park among other things, was the latest CEO to be an "Undercover Boss." As an example of what we do I know for a fact that since I’ve been here as CEO we have planted more trees than we’ve knocked down. It’s not a perfect system, but its better than saying it’s important and not putting anything behind it. Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. owns, operates and manages family-oriented theme parks and attractions. I’m not surprised you kept the note from Jack Herscend and love the fact you included it. Lead With Love Joel Manby is the incoming CEO of SeaWorld and the former CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment. Yes that will definitely go in there: how we treat people, the fact that were trying to create memories worth repeating. However, what came a week later was even more impressive. At Dollywood we have the Barnstormer [$5.5 million family thrill swing ride pictured below right]. Are you going to be rolling out your values and management style? What they did and how good they were didn’t surprise me at all. The eagle sanctuary is incredible [Dollywood is home to Eagle Mountain Sanctuary – a 30, 000-square-foot aviary that houses the country's largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles, pictured right]. But if you aren’t a CEO or divisional leader, you can still make a difference. Nobody every gets in trouble when they make this happen. We have created a whole new business that had never been done before in conjunction with a theme park operator. The president and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment — which owns Branson's Silver Dollar City theme park, among other attractions — has been named president and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment. You'll find out why high-functioning leaders take their sleep seriously and how you can find your way to satisfying, rejuvenating slumber. In fact, the top raises are given to those who hit both measurements; and all senior leaders are expected to be good at all of the above. We don’t want to just make a guest happy, we want to create an emotional connection with that guest in some way, shape or form. It’s all about metrics. How many of us have done that?!? The company was founded b Mr. Thomas: Herschend Family Entertainment is a corporation based in Branson, Missouri. If you go to our parks some of the buildings are actually wrapped around trees so we’ve always done it because that’s what we were taught to do and we believe it’s the right thing. Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation provides entertainment services. I am so glad you asked that. I give my be goals the same priority as my do goals. I can be a good husband, father and friend while at the same time being a good leader. We also don’t market it. We are clear that these principles are based on how Jesus loved others. We all have enough failures each day to feel really lousy about ourselves and we have to remember the successes. Blooloop talked to Manby about joining the HFE family, appearing on Undercover Boss and how to create values worth working for. Our focus area is our core theme parks, waterparks, aquariums and our new business which we have made public that we want to grow is the resorts. Appreciatively, Jack.”. As a part of the family of entertainment companies within the Herschend Enterprises portfolio, their team of more than 10,000 employees creates, develops and operates entertainment … Corporate success should be defined the same way:  ultimately, what is the mission statement of the company? He was a part of the start-up team for Saturn Corporation and helped launch Saturn's marketing and distribution strategy. At the Half Dollar Holler at Silver Dollar City  they’re adding all these attractions in a wooded area and they have a goal as to how few trees they’re going to knock down. Continued use of our website confirms acceptance of our necessary cookies. It came from the ethos of Jack and Pete to start with. They have had so many owners over the years they have lost some consistency and to have great brands you need consistency. On Monday, April 28, Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment, spoke to aspiring theme park leaders at Rosen College as a guest of The Future Theme Park Leaders Association. We’re huge on trees. We debate it and are careful with it. It reinforced me and my team and the results we were getting in the worst recession since the Great Depression. It is Judy Ward, an executive assistant. Skip Prichard is an accomplished CEO, growth-oriented business leader, and keynote speaker. So many companies put in big rides for teenagers and we wanted something for 0-7 year olds. Storytelling after COVID-19: the show must go on, No, museums should not be “gloriously empty”, The London Resort passes first test of Planning Inspectorate, Major expansion for the International Slavery Museum, Largest ever climate survey says urgent change is needed, Pompeii's historic Antiquarium museum re-opens, Red Sea Project will be smart destination with IoT sensors, ProSlide presents KidzADVENTURE Tower at Atlantis Aquaventure in Dubai, Dream Island opens new Hotel Transylvania attraction. For anyone not yet aware of Undercover Boss, it is a reality television show that places real life CEO’s in undercover positions working for their own company in working regular wage jobs. That’s a higher bar and takes a ton of leadership time and effort. Can you tell us what your experience is with green initiatives? Competitors: UNKNOWN. Extended interview footage from From Dreams to Screams: Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City. My wife and children received a handwritten note from Jack that read:  “Dear Marki, Lauryn, Erinn, Jesse and Anna, Over the last 2 days I had the privilege of watching your dad provide the most awesome leadership to the President’s team. © Skip Prichard. Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) makes more than a few silver dollars. The biggest thing that I’ve learnt quite honestly is how incredibly focussed the Herschends are on people. A letter to the spouse of an employee? We’re always looking at new ones. Join to Connect Herschend Family Entertainment. Please share, but don't repost in its entirety. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or iHeart Radio. Free Online Library: CEO INTERVIEW: BRAD THOMAS - HERSCHEND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION. Be goals are about defining the kind of person I want to be. When they ran the company they only had six properties and now we have 26 properties. During his four-year tenure, Saab's sales increased by 67 percent and their J.D. Today HFE owns, operates or partners in family orientated attractions in 26 locations in ten states including Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, Stone Mountain Park, Newport Aquarium and new additions Darien Lake and Elitch Gardens. The company's mission is to "Create Memories Worth Repeating". I just fell in love with the industry, and with how Jack and Pete ran the business. when you sign up to receive blog updates via email. Keyword Title Author Topic. The answer is that we are going to promote the local brands. For example at Dollywood, the person who has the greatest impact on the culture of the park is not the president or general manager. Our employees donate into a non-profit foundation and then the company matches it and then the owners match it, so $1 becomes $3. When I’m on my game I spend the morning writing those notes and it’s incredible what it does for your own spirit and getting the right focus.

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