By Steve Huffman

Salisbury Post

John Formica worked 25 years for Walt Disney World Resort and on Monday reminded members of the Rowan Chamber of Commerce of a simple fact.

"Some people think they work for a rat," he said. "How'd you like to work for a mouse?"

Formica, founder of John Formica Enterprises, spoke to Chamber members as part of the kickoff for the organization's Business Week 2008. Activities continue throughout the week.

Formica's talk was titled, "Creating Better Relationships for Business & Life through Effective Communication Styles." He's an expert when it comes to addressing such gatherings, having previously facilitated more than 700 business and industry workshops across the nation.

Formica is upbeat and positive, a sort of one-man testament to the power of positive thinking.

He told those gathered in a banquet hall at Salisbury's Holiday Inn that Disney World employs more than 60,000 people in its Orlando, Fla., operation.

Then Formica reminded listeners of the enthusiasm those employees generate for their jobs. He joked that workers will sprint 50 yards and dive to retrieve a piece of trash before it hits the ground.

"If Disney can do that with 60,000 employees, think what you can do with five, 10 or 100 workers," Formica said.

He said employees can be lumped into one of four categories. Those categories include:

- The producer — a useful and practical worker who gets quickly to the point.

- The imaginist — more of a free-spirited worker who enjoys exploring possibilities and dreams.

- The analyst — a worker who provides information and details and labors to make sure everyone gets along.

- The teamist — includes workers who talk warmly, sincerely and emotionally. "These are the perfect people," Formica said. "They value correct results."

He said getting the various types of employees to work together can be a trick, but not an overwhelming task.

"The world is made up of different people," Formica said. "We think everyone thinks like us. That's not true."

But he said most people don't fall all the time into one particular style. For instance, he noted that when he was in the hotel business, he often had to forego his imaginist leanings to be more a producer.

"How many of you found yourselves in multiple boxes?" Formica asked those who attended the luncheon as he neared the end of his talk.

Most of the 100 or so in the audience raised a hand.

Formica told members of the group the importance of the Platinum Rule, which varies slightly from the Golden Rule that implores people to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Formica said the Platinum Rule is: "Treat people the way they'd like to be treated, not the way you'd like to be treated."

Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman @salisburypost.com.

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