Do you want to build a snowman?

Disney's Frozen is now the highest grossing animated film of all time (for now that is). That begs the question -- Why?

Do a quick Google search of "Why is Disney's Frozen so popular?" and you will find a plethora of answers, explanations and thoughts in answer to that question. All, mind you, are after the fact.

The real question in my mind is did anyone predict ahead of time it would be so popular? Do a search for that and the results are absent in direct answer to that question.

During the early scripting and development of Disney's The Lion King, most of the Disney animators did not want to work on it. Instead they chose to be part of Disney's other production in progress, Pocahontas, one that Jeffrey Katzenberg, Disney's Creative Director at the time stated would be wildly successful. The few that were part of it initially were either placed there because they were junior animators, or they wanted a little more creative freedom. Twenty years later and people still celebrate and revere The Lion King while very few remember Pocahontas.

How does this apply to you as a CEO, or business owner? You do want to try and build the best snowman you can, but you also want to be nimble enough to take advantage when the snowball starts rolling down hill and gaining momentum. Perhaps that is what Disney is best at doing after all.

houston@figment-consulting.com