Ouimet appointed to Cedar Fair board, seeks a ninth member

Carrie -- I agree. Its only symbolic of radical culture change if he intends to put in place radical culture change. Without the culture change its a hollow symbol that doesn't mean jack squat. And I suspect that if he does put into place radical culture change, all the evils of the Kinzel regime are removed and Cedar Fair becomes the best place to work ever, that folks would be fine with a formal wear requirement. And I suspect on the flip side that if he puts into place a jeans/shorts-and-t-shirts-or-whatever-else-folks-want-to-wear dress code, but all of the horrendous work environment policies that folks complain about so often here continue, the new dress code won't mean very much.

Jeff said:

I'm not going to argue causation, Carrie, or try to account for every work environment in the world, because I'm talking about just one. The symbolism of this one matters.

Ok. That's a bit dramatic, but ok. I will defer to your knowledge about the importance of ties at Cedar Fair. It matters because you say so.

Though I still contend, Ouimet can just not like to wear ties and it doesn't necessarily mean a culture change has occurred. If change occurs, it will likely be for other reasons.

Jeff is right. From everything I've heard so far, Ouimet may very well be Kinzel's opposite.

Fun said:
Jeff is right. From everything I've heard so far, Ouimet may very well be Kinzel's opposite.

The proof is in the tie. :)

Jeff is absolutely right. While I'm sure the CEO can wear whatever the heck he wants, at Cedar Fair, deviating from the standard established by Kinzel is huge, and cannot be overstated. This is a company that has a current CEO that belongs in the last attraction he'll be responsible for during his time, and even the smallest thing (like this) is going to equate to a bigger "ripple" than normal. The changes may not be very visible to even an enthusiast on the midway, but behind the scenes, I think things are going to change pretty fast in areas.

Gonch, didn't you say on a podcast that Ouimet was your new man crush? Do you like the tie or no tie? :)

I wanna see tie guys walking around the park, reminding all the smokers of the designated smoking areas :)

I just want decent food at a fair price.

maXairMike said:
While I'm sure the CEO can wear whatever the heck he wants, at Cedar Fair, deviating from the standard established by Kinzel is huge, and cannot be overstated.

Thanks, this is what I was really after. Jesus, why is everyone being all toxic about this? Am I really being too "inside baseball?"

CoasterDemon said:
I wanna see tie guys walking around the park, reminding all the smokers of the designated smoking areas :)

I rather the people doing that have guns and flashlights. lol

I've actually seen people with ties at Cedar Fair telling (or screaming at) park guests to put out their cigarettes and put on their shirts. I prefer the polite aproach, with a "please" and a "thank you."

Smoke329 said:
Gonch, didn't you say on a podcast that Ouimet was your new man crush? Do you like the tie or no tie? :)

I'd have to see side-by-side photos.

Jeff said:
Thanks, this is what I was really after. Jesus, why is everyone being all toxic about this? Am I really being too "inside baseball?"

I hardly think I'm being toxic. Really? If you want toxic, I can find some. :)

I'll be honest and direct. If the biggest complaint anyone has about an employment situation is the attire of the CEO and what he/she expects the employees to wear, then I would suggest said person is whiny and ridiculous.

I understand there were big cultural issues related to being employed at CF/CP. But I do not believe for one second they were initiated or fostered by dress code. That's just silliness.

All I am pointing out is that the lack of a tie is not an indication of significant cultural change. And GoBucks89 said it best... if the real cultural issues were addressed, I doubt anyone would care what the CEO wears to work each day or what they themselves are required to wear for that matter.

Beyond that, my comments are based on the fact that it's frustrating to hear people jump to defend against the criticism of casual dress and body piercings/tattoos and in the same vein take shots every chance they can at suits and ties. It's hypocritical, as I said before.

If that's too toxic, just let me know. :)

Ugh, it's not about the ties. Really. No one ever suggested (except perhaps me, facetiously) that it was anywhere on a prioritized list of complaints.

It is, however, a very symbolic change of culture, not in some global context, but in the context of Sandusky.

Ok. If you say so.

But now if you get called in for an interview, do you, or don't you wear a tie? OMG, the stress!

I do say so. You don't have to agree. :)

I don't. But then, I think I've been pretty clear about that. You know...through my toxicity.

:)

I think it is telling, though, that people with first-hand experience and understanding of the culture at the Point are all agreeing. Again, you may not notice it walking the midway and riding the rides, but behind the scenes, I am almost certain there are changes happening, and when the live dino is truly gone from the CEO position, it will happen fast.

I do hope that's true, about the speed. I think there are a great many dedicated and smart people below C-level in that company, and I look forward to what they can do without having every little decision requiring approval. I think the potential is massive, and in the long run it will be something you can notice on the midway.

Oh I believe it will be visible on the midway once the larger change is allowed and fostered. There is a lot of desire and realization of lurking potential as low as the seasonal hourly staff, and it is waiting to be allowed "out."* Ouimet knows how to harness that and turn it into results from his days at Disneyland, so that alone is going be be huge. Speed is going to be slightly relative, though. Things will change fast on the inside, and like most things, it will take its time working outward. In this specific case, that speed will be pushed by newfound enthusiasm, but will be pulled at by any leftover Kinzel cruft (planned capital expenditures, personnel, etc.). I think best case scenario is we see real outward change, especially at CP, after two years of Matt on his own. The biggest change is needed there, and necessary improvements will radiate, as the bad decisions did during Kinzel.

*It is no coincidence that there have been an impressive number of exceptional seasonal employees from fairly recent summers that have moved on to much greener pastures in the industry, especially through the Disney College Program. I think a fair amount of them could have been retained (several would have gladly stayed) in CF were it not for the glaring issues that kept mounting. Definitely not the same as the outflow of talented, high-level Paramount and CF folk, but still a net loss.