Jim Lewis Fired from WDWCo

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am just starting a pool on the first complaint about his replacement....

My bet is on two weeks after the announement someone goes on the DIS and whines about how bad the replacement is....

 

[debloco]

Aulani sales have been on hold for about a month due to some unspecified legal issue. Only thing DVC would say about that is documents are being revised.

One report suggests that the proverbial "other shoe" dropped in the midst of promotional events in Pasadena to promote Aulani. They had 4 nights of presentations lined up. According to one person, all was well and good the first night but by night #2 there was no word of Aulani and CMs were told not to discuss any Aulani sales topics with attendees.

Wow. I was at the Pasadena event the first day and all seemed fine. Lots of talk about Aulani.

 

[tjkraz]

I disagree, majority of the membership probably doesn't even know who Jim Lewis is and will not know he is gone until they put an article in Disney Files announcing his replacement. DVC does not need a head chief to keep trucking along. The biggest reason for a quick replacement is to sort out the mess in Aulani and reassure their investors and sort things out with the regulators.

Lewis did a pretty effective job of getting his name and face out there. Not everyone follows on-line forums but he was a consistent presence in marketing materials, Disney Files and other DVC tie-ins.

And I do firmly believe that the more voracious fans (like ourselves) would be worked into a proverbial tizzy if several months went by with no word of a replacement. There's a member cruise a month from now and the annual meeting in less than 4 months. Those are perfect opportunities to immediately earn points with some of the most critical elements of the membership base.

Beyond that, it's not just about members. DVC has ongoing relationships with vendors, contractors, local government officials, business partners such as RCI, lending institutions, and so forth. Someone needs to pick up those relationships immediately. This isn't a forced retirement situation where his duties can be transitioned to a successor over the next few months--Lewis was shown the door. There are decisions to be made, projects to manage, egos to smooth, hands to be shaken and so forth.

Internally people need to know who is in charge at DVC. The new head has work to do and doesn't need to meet resistance from staffers who are unaware that he/she is Lewis' super-secret replacement.

DVC is a multi-million dollar division of a multi-billion dollar, publicly-traded corporation. The incoming head doesn't have the luxury of staying in the background, glad-handing sales booth agents for a couple of months while others make critical decisions and repair any damage left by Lewis' abrupt departure.

In the end, I don't see any value to the new head remaining anonymous. He/she can still spend spare time getting to know front line staff members. But there is unquestionably work to be done. A fair amount of member anxiety--even if largely limited to the DIS and similar forums--can be placated with an announcement and a few select public appearances.

 

[jodifla]

Unless the state of Hawaii wants to turn its back on 500 timeshare units and thousands of recurring visitors, I don't think there will be any long term impact. But, not knowing any specifics, it seems conceivable that millions of dollars worth of fines and restitution could be involved.

It won't be long before details are known. The only question is whether the Sentinel or Honolulu Star Advertiser will break the full story first.



Agree. Although other aspects of his job performance probably didn't help.

If his performance had been exemplary in other regards, it might have been enough to allow him to ride out this situation. Might have been "reassigned" within TWDC or at least given the opportunity to resign.

But other negatives weighing against him probably made this an easy decision. Two things that particularly stand out in my mind are design missteps at BLT and the OKW extension (which JL publicly admitted could/should have been handled differently.) Sounds like there was a fair amount of discontent among staff internally, which doesn't help either.

I doubt point reallocations, valet parking or banking windows played any role in the decision. If this as serious as it appears, decision-makers didn't even need to reach the point of second-guessing every policy decision over the past 8 years.

I agree with this...if a manager's performance is exemplary and he or she is well-loved, most companies will want to keep the person, even with a big mistake that costs them money. But make a big, costly mistake AND be an arrogant jerk that nobody likes, and the decision becomes easy.

 

[TisBit]

Lewis did a pretty effective job of getting his name and face out there. Not everyone follows on-line forums but he was a consistent presence in marketing materials, Disney Files and other DVC tie-ins.

And I do firmly believe that the more voracious fans (like ourselves) would be worked into a proverbial tizzy if several months went by with no word of a replacement. There's a member cruise a month from now and the annual meeting in less than 4 months. Those are perfect opportunities to immediately earn points with some of the most critical elements of the membership base.

Beyond that, it's not just about members. DVC has ongoing relationships with vendors, contractors, local government officials, business partners such as RCI, lending institutions, and so forth. Someone needs to pick up those relationships immediately. This isn't a forced retirement situation where his duties can be transitioned to a successor over the next few months--Lewis was shown the door. There are decisions to be made, projects to manage, egos to smooth, hands to be shaken and so forth.

Internally people need to know who is in charge at DVC. The new head has work to do and doesn't need to meet resistance from staffers who are unaware that he/she is Lewis' super-secret replacement.

DVC is a multi-million dollar division of a multi-billion dollar, publicly-traded corporation. The incoming head doesn't have the luxury of staying in the background, glad-handing sales booth agents for a couple of months while others make critical decisions and repair any damage left by Lewis' abrupt departure.

In the end, I don't see any value to the new head remaining anonymous. He/she can still spend spare time getting to know front line staff members. But there is unquestionably work to be done. A fair amount of member anxiety--even if largely limited to the DIS and similar forums--can be placated with an announcement and a few select public appearances.

Yes, I completely agree they will not have a super secret boss working the phones at MS just to get an idea of what is going on. I was merely pointing out that they do not need to rush a replacement. No one in a company is irreplacable and the show will still go on. All of those business relationships will remain intact and Jim Lewis probably had little to do with the day to day operations. Usually the President is more of a politician for the company and only called in on the big issues or to sign off on what the VP's and their underlings have already hammered out. Karl could easily fill this role as "leader" until they replace him or there will be someone appointed as interim until a final selection is made.

 

[pklein09]

I went on to look at point charts for next year's vacation, and the first thing that pops up is Aulani and "own a piece of paradise." If they're not supposed to be selling it or talking about it, someone forgot the website.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes, I completely agree they will not have a super secret boss working the phones at MS just to get an idea of what is going on. I was merely pointing out that they do not need to rush a replacement. No one in a company is irreplacable and the show will still go on. All of those business relationships will remain intact and Jim Lewis probably had little to do with the day to day operations. Usually the President is more of a politician for the company and only called in on the big issues or to sign off on what the VP's and their underlings have already hammered out. Karl could easily fill this role as "leader" until they replace him or there will be someone appointed as interim until a final selection is made.

Agree to disagree. Particularly if the Aulani situation proves to be as embarrassing for Disney as I'm sensing it will be.

 

[Mister Incredible]

Current members would be calling for blood if months pass and there are no signs of a successor.

Ironically, that is some of what I am talking about. Why should any member have any input on who or what DVC does with this position? Of course we are the ultimate customer, but we are only that, customers. We are not board members or active voters.

Almost like saying, I would have input into who Reebok hires as VP because I wear Reebok shoes.

I would rather DVC takes their time and hires an interim, then does a thorough search for a replacement.

 

[anniet]

I went on to look at point charts for next year's vacation, and the first thing that pops up is Aulani and "own a piece of paradise." If they're not supposed to be selling it or talking about it, someone forgot the website.

Someone forgot to update the website when they told the ASA's that the starting price was 19k and the website said 12k too. Which whenever I told someone the starting price I was INSTRUCTED to say and they used their smartphone right in front of me to look it up, made me a BIG FAT LIAR and compromised any credibility I or DVC had at that moment.

He wasn't big on communication, consistent or otherwise, or processes, or caring about the right person for the right job and frankly I could give a rat's behind WHY he's gone, I just know, I saw it from the inside and it was UGLY and I'm glad he's gone!

 

[tjkraz]

Ironically, that is some of what I am talking about. Why should any member have any input on who or what DVC does with this position? Of course we are the ultimate customer, but we are only that, customers. We are not board members or active voters.

Almost like saying, I would have input into who Reebok hires as VP because I wear Reebok shoes.

I would rather DVC takes their time and hires an interim, then does a thorough search for a replacement.

Nobody ever said that members should have a say in the decision. That's Disney's turf. And I don't have a problem with Disney taking a reasonable amount of time to find the right person...although it shouldn't take more than a few weeks even if they do consider a few outsiders.

What I specifically object to are these comments:

If by some miracle I was chosen, I would make sure the announcement wasn't made for months. In that time I would visit every kiosk to be "sold on DVC", stay in every resort, and interact with as many employees and guests as possible. All the time collecting data of the good, the bad and the ugly and make that my priority list.

If you were hired tomorrow, I would expect you to be front-and-center immediately...leading the division, meeting members, visible on the member cruise and at the upcoming condo meeting, cleaning up whatever mess JL left behind at 5pm on Friday.

I don't want DVCs next leader to be someone who chooses to hide in the wings and spend several months gathering information and glad-handing Cast Members. That's part of the on-the-job training. You do that after putting in a 40+ hour work week.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree, they need someone in there immediately to stabilize the situation. It sounds like there has been alot of anger in the cm ranks with JL. That's the first thing they need to address, not the members. Plus the Hawaii situation.

 

[mommacat56]

It seems so, maybe he took Dee Vee Cee with him. ;

OMG, I hope so! That vacuous character is (or hopefully WAS?) a total dumbing down of all that DVC represents for me personally... and a total waste of money, air, and space!! But let me tell you how I really feel...

And, I hope his replacement restores the value of ALL points purchased(direct AND resale) so that ALL members can choose to use them any way THEY wish (like I do for cruises or I wouldn't see DCL at all!)...this will bring a little value back to our contracts should we ever decide to sell... I won't, but others want or need to sell, especially in the current economic climate.

And lastly, and I apologize for being a bit off topic, but do I actually own the Aulani points I purchased a few months ago? Or are they (and the deed which I haven't seen) in Hawaiian regulatory limbo? Is Aulani even able to open this month?

Thanks for letting me vent!

Mary

 

[kikiq]

OMG, Is Aulani even able to open this month?
Mary

I can answer this. Aulani will have a "soft" opening on August 29 with Mickey Mouse and an guest family being selected as the "opening" family, along with Hawaiian festivities. Late September, there will a "media event" opening with TV and radio stations.

What is in question is when sales will start up again? And how do the paperwork reviews being done currently between the State of Hawaii and DVC affect the contracts already sold?

 

[gatorskin76]

I don't want DVCs next leader to be someone who chooses to hide in the wings and spend several months gathering information and glad-handing Cast Members. That's part of the on-the-job training. You do that after putting in a 40+ hour work week.

Have you ever watched Undercover Boss? I think the poster was making that statement because you can't truly find out how things run in a normal situation if you are the boss. If people know you are the boss they act different around you. I could be wrong, but I think that was the point.

 

[Tigger031266]

I think Dee Vee Cee is how Jim Lewis views us. He sees us as middle age, overweight, load mouth, low IQ, happy folks. Rather insulting really.

Would rather be the old guy from the movie "UP". At least he was an adventurer.

Honestly, when your in charge of 11 hotels that carry a world class name like Disney, the quality and service needs to be world class. There hase been dozen of us complaining about cleaning quality, check in issues, lack of perks and lack of overall magic.

If I ran the place my order of fixings things would be:
- guaranteed clean room or night is free (Hampton inns can pull this off)
- free valet again
- out with DEe Vee Cee. Have various characters
- instead of welcome home Wednesday. It would be BBQ with free burgers, dogs, chips, soda and listen to our pitch.
- forget grand floridian, we want poly
- a speacial meal plan for DVc owners
(feel free to add on)

 

[CarolAnnC]

This thread needs to remain on topic as a discussion of the departure of Jim Lewis from DVC.

Thanks all...

 

[arthur06]

If JL receives a severance, how would that be paid?
Isn't employee wages figured into our MF's, thus including JL's salary and severance?

 

[Sammie]

As to when the replacement will be announced I was told soon, the person has already been chosen.

As to the former banking it was staggered and you had a time line where you could bank 100%, then 50%, then 25%.

For someone like us with an October use year that takes summer vacations, we have to bank; if we are going to do by the end of May before our trips. So if we have to cancel we have no way to save any points by banking.

The old way we could save 50% by banking by June and 25% by banking by July. We were even given a chart that had the months for each use year.

But JL, said they changed it because the members were not smart enough to figure it out.

We had no problems with it prior to the change.

I think Dee Vee Cee is how Jim Lewis viewed us. He sees us as middle age, overweight, load mouth, low IQ, happy folks. Rather insulting really.

I have several friends in DVC and yes that would be pretty accurate, except be sure to include regulars on an Internet forum.

 

[mommacat56]

If JL receives a severance, how would that be paid?
Isn't employee wages figured into our MF's, thus including JL's salary and severance?

If he was laid off, retired, or "encouraged" to resign, a severance package would possibly be in order. Since he was fired (by all accounts here on the DIS), there may be something contractually that states "no severance or golden parachute" if fired for poor performance or another issue of importance (like selling timeshares before legally being authorized to do so).

I would think that if he costs DVC and Disney millions to correct this, the amount he may see, if anything at all, would be inversely proportional to that amount.

Whose funds? I certainly hope the vast majority comes from corporate, not DVC or DVDMC. We pay enough in dues and I for one want my dues to redo the recent OKW redo! Cheap and ugly!

I hope all is disclosed at the annual STOCKHOLDERS meeting...I think these sort of financial arrangements are supposed to be made public (at least to the shareholders, maybe not to the members). We will all have to wait and see.

JMHO...

 

[Goofy DVC]

Like many, my first response was, "wow, time to polish up the resume!"

I was then thinking about all the changes I would make, and then it hit me...can you imagine how hard this job must be? The first thing I thought of was you cannot please everyone. Something as simple as bringing back free valet parking would probably tick off a handful of people for one reason or the other. Then, every decision you make is questioned by your employees, your guests and then debated on hundreds of message boards. Not to mention how many people you impact on a day. Sure some of that is being a manager, but other items, not so much. Could you imagine if there was a message board at your work?

Who knows if between 2006 and 2007 he was directed to cut his budget by 10, 15 or even 25%. I'm not defending him, nor his decisions, just saying there are several times as a manager, I'm directed to do things that are against my better judgment. You would think with all the real estate lawyers and professionals who work for Disney THEY would have caught the problems in Hawaii. I guess there has to be one fall guy (or girl).

In a position like this you always have those members who believe they are elite and purchased DVC thinking they should be treated like kings and queens. I can't imagine dealing with people like that, and 99% of the time they are the most vocal.

Sure, I look for a few perks here and there. Also, there are several immediate changes I would make. However, I do hope the next person has a solid pulse on the employees, builds on the strengths of DVC and raises the bar with the weaknesses that have been created.

If by some miracle I was chosen, I would make sure the announcement wasn't made for months. In that time I would visit every kiosk to be "sold on DVC", stay in every resort, and interact with as many employees and guests as possible. All the time collecting data of the good, the bad and the ugly and make that my priority list.

Good luck to the person who fills this position!! All eyes (and ears) will be watching!![FONT=&quot][/FONT]

Very well said.