Being a paramedic during the formative years of my working life, I’ve been surprised at how many of the lessons that I learned on the job have translated to the business world. When I worked on the ambulance, 24 hour shifts were the most common. A standard rotation on our “modified Kelly” shift averaged out […]
Everyone’s Method of Productivity is Different, and Changes
A couple years ago I Googled something along the lines of “how to optimize my time” or “top ten ways to stay productive” and stumbled upon a 2015 Harvard Business Review assessment that gauged productivity styles (found here). Jackpot! I was eager for direction on how to stay productive throughout the day because what worked […]
Essential in the Airline Industry: Vision and Commitment
While the term “business transformation” has been floated around for decades, digital and the deployment of modern technology remain the cornerstone of today’s investment decisions. Customer expectations have changed greatly in recent years. Strong brands like Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google, which investors often refer to as FAANG, have changed consumer behavior. Not only […]
Cost-Cutting and Technology Investments in the Airline Industry
Cutting unnecessary costs and investing in technology (e.g., digital, planes) to support the business is a complex task, but certainly a requirement for long-term growth. Fuel costs – the number-one non-labor expense for airlines – can only be hedged to the degree the petroleum market allows and that is by and large outside the control […]
Customer Satisfaction in the Airline Industry
Customer satisfaction is always top of mind for airlines. Unhappy or disengaged customers naturally mean fewer passengers and less revenue. It’s important that customers have an excellent experience every time they travel. On-time flights, good in-flight entertainment, more (and better) snacks, and more legroom might be the obvious contributors to a good experience and more […]
Operational Performance and Reliability in the Airline Industry
Operational performance (or operational reliability) is about running an airline like a well-oiled machine. Pun intended. It’s about on-time performance and completion rates. It’s about reducing involuntary denied boardings and the rate of mishandled bags. It’s ensuring that continuous improvements and efficiencies are always in motion. A smoothly run airline enhances customer perception, satisfaction, and […]
Key Strategic Initiatives in the Airline Industry
If you listen closely to industry executives, you’ll note that many of them typically hone in on several key strategic initiatives. Naturally, there’s a crossover between them, and each one can affect the other. Operational performance or operational reliability is one. Customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, or brand strength is another. Last but not least are […]
[Guide] 2018 State of the Airline Industry
The airline industry is scrutinized by passengers and analysts alike, mostly for two reasons. One, many people take one or more flights a year and have personal experiences that leave lasting impressions. Two, the industry’s economic impact is unprecedented. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), “Aviation accounts for more than 5% of our [United […]
Driving in the Fast Lane: Microsoft’s Connected Car
Last week at CES, Microsoft announced the “Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform,” which the company describes as: “…a set of services built on the Microsoft Azure cloud and designed to empower auto manufacturers to create custom connected driving experiences. This is not an in-car operating system or a ‘finished product;’ it’s a living, agile platform that […]
You Don’t Mow Your Own Lawn. Why Manage Your Own Intranet?
Living in Atlanta, GA, I know a little bit of something about heat and humidity. When the pollen count is up and the temperature is registering 95°F in the shade, the last thing I want to be doing is mowing the grass. This wasn’t always the case; as a teenager, I earned spending money and later gas […]
You Can Take it with You – A Mobile Monitor Review
We all have our normal workstations setup just the way we like them. The monitor, or most likely, monitors, speakers, mouse, desk space, etc. But what happens when you need to work away from your normal workstation? I always feel cramped looking into the single viewport on my laptop. I’m definitely not as productive as […]