Walt Disney moved to California with little money and big dreams. He succeeded. We can too. Photo: Offbeat Training LLC

Some people think that everything Disney touches is magic. The Walt Disney Company’s long-term track record is certainly successful. But they have had some terrific failures too.

• Pinocchio? Bambi? Fantasia? Lost money.
• Disneyland opening day? Disaster.
• California Adventure? Underwhelming.
• Pleasure Island? Gone.
• Mickey’s Kitchen? Never heard of it.
• Home on the Range? Bomb.

Failures discourage many people. Not Walt. He would say, paraphrasing, “This is good. Now we can try that instead.” Failure was, for him, success.

• Pinocchio, Bambi and Fantasia built Disney’s reputation, developed advanced animation techniques still applicable today and became financially successful in rerelease.
• Disneyland management learned quickly that they needed payless restrooms, more dining facilities and better customer service.
• California Adventure, underfunded and underbuilt, was refocused as Walt Disney’s California experience and then updated with the highly successful Cars Land.
• Pleasure Island, Walt Disney World’s adult themed area was, owing to its contradiction with Disney’s clean image, redeveloped into the family friendly Disney’s Springs.
• Mickey’s Kitchen, Disney’s attempt to compete in the fast food space, closed before it could do any damage to the brand.
• And the animated Home on the Range was such a dud that Disney soon purchased Pixar. Pixar leadership revitalized Walt Disney Animation. The success of Tangled, Zootopia, Moana, Coco and Frozen followed.

Walt explained the approach, “To some people, I am kind of a Merlin who takes lots of crazy chances, but rarely makes mistakes. I’ve made some bad ones, but fortunately, the successes have come along fast enough to cover up the mistakes. When you go to bat as many times as I do, you’re bound to get a good average.”

The secret is going to bat, often. if a product or service of yours has failed recently, and you’re still trying other ideas, good for you. You’re on your way to a real success. So, a perfect New Year resolution to make is the following: I will fail more often.

So, happy New Year. Here's hoping you have a few "failures."

Prefer video versions of MIC Key Snaps? Visit our YouTube page.