tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post467382984008005589..comments2023-08-24T02:14:52.248-07:00Comments on LIR826: Southwest Airlines: Gregory Takyi & David FroelichUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-65607638028718378792011-04-28T11:20:57.754-07:002011-04-28T11:20:57.754-07:00I always wonder about Southwest... sometimes I bel...I always wonder about Southwest... sometimes I believe the idea of the employee is everything isnt true. I feel like management wants every employee to add the most value as possible to the company, which seems understandable. But I wonder how hard Southwest pushes employees and if at the entry level position if they are true happy or engaged in their work? -- Not sure if it is possible for all employees at all levels to "love" their jobs as much as Southwest says they do.Matt Bauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17353409933767202818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-12578625421526135572011-04-27T20:32:42.616-07:002011-04-27T20:32:42.616-07:00Jackie: I don't think that Southwest would be ...Jackie: I don't think that Southwest would be nearly as successful as they are now if it weren't for their culture and the way they view and treat their customers. Of course they have their low fares but low prices can only go so far. If employees are not happy, they are less likely to take care of the customers, and if the customers aren't happy, then they are less likely to continue doing business with Southwest. <br /><br />David: Regardless of who was to blame, it was definitely bad press for Southwest and I'm sure customers or potential customers are now weary of flying with them, but I agree that they will definitely put more focus on the quality, and it will be interesting to see what strategies the company comes up with to overcome this incident and make customers feel comfortable again.Greg Takyihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685923009803921037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-21850685021032121592011-04-27T20:23:13.257-07:002011-04-27T20:23:13.257-07:00Julie, I think Southwest truly is innovative. The ...Julie, I think Southwest truly is innovative. The have made flying affordable for the masses due to their ability to efficiently squeeze more flights out of each plane daily. Overall, they provide the best value in low cost airline travel. The company is also in the process of redesigning airport gates to streamline boarding. They also paved the way with a software application called DING, which was started a few years ago which was available on computer, and is now available as a cell phone application alerts customers when exclusive, limited-time-only airfare deals on select flights are available for purchase. Of course other airlines followed suit. Although they haven't come out with anything groundbreaking recently, I still think they are innovative in their thinking and constantly refining the services and technology they currently have.Greg Takyihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685923009803921037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-72702912686304201532011-04-26T17:30:07.085-07:002011-04-26T17:30:07.085-07:00I feel like the CEO saying he believes "emplo...I feel like the CEO saying he believes "employees are the company's single greatest asset" is a bit cliche these days, but nonetheless I feel Southwest does place a heavy emphasis on their culture and employee happiness. I too wonder if and what effects will result from the recent plane incident regardless of which company is truly to blame.David Haspashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07988709732060244359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-42441122489524345222011-04-25T16:47:55.506-07:002011-04-25T16:47:55.506-07:00Adam,
That’s a good point. I think at Southwest t...Adam,<br />That’s a good point. I think at Southwest there is a trade-off. In exchange for lower pay, employees get a stronger, healthier culture. They also get to work for a company that truly values them and their opinions and ideas for innovation. Southwest is also in a much stronger position financially than others in the industry and that means that their head count is more consistent and less likely to suffer from involuntary un-employment. One example of this is that during the industry meltdown following the 9-11 attacks Southwest didn’t let go of anyone. At worst there were a few temporary layoffs and those who were affected were called back as demand increased; but mainly employees were kept and paid and given additional training in the process. Another thing to consider is that because the airline focuses on underserved, less popular locations the cost of living at these places is likely to be much lower than at the more popular, congested airports. <br /><br />Heather,<br /><br />I agree with you. I was surprised to hear that they were having trouble even though it could be blamed on Boeing. I was also surprised to hear about their deficiencies when it comes to fulfilling their maintenance schedules. Maintenance and upkeep processes are key to maintaining the fleet and ensuring that the product can be delivered to the customer. I don’t know how it will effect Southwest’s ability when it comes to turnaround time and on-time departures, but I think that if the company is really serious about preventing these problems it will also be able to compensate for any delay such measures will take such that there will be a minimal impact on the company’s reputation for timeliness. Whatever happens I think that the company will still be the best at what it does even if that means that the gap between them and their nearest competitor on these metrics closes somewhat in the process. <br /><br />Then again, dead customers are much less likely to complain ;)Dave Froelichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01237469721646395282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-13307741523332963792011-04-25T11:35:09.773-07:002011-04-25T11:35:09.773-07:00It's unfortunate Southwest received such bad p...It's unfortunate Southwest received such bad press re: their turnaround time affecting maintenance checks since they're thinking Boeing is the one at fault. I think at the same time, hopefully it gives them a more "red" awareness in their safety checks while still maintaining their quick turnaround.Heather Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010106361285946344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-91104429862776090712011-04-23T14:26:00.192-07:002011-04-23T14:26:00.192-07:00It does not surprise me at all that yellow is thei...It does not surprise me at all that yellow is their strongest quadrant. That is where their whole competitive advantage comes from and what really sets them apart from other airlines. I wonder if they would have survived or done as well if they were not so yellow focused. I think that their collaborative environment and approach towards employees is what allows them to have their fast turnarounds and enables them to have the culture for their success. At first glance I was surprised they were such a green company, but then I thought about how they were the first airline of their kind and really differentiated themselves from the other airlines.<br /><br />Even though other airlines are beginning to have the same operating strategy as Southwest, such as United Express, I think Southwest will continue to outperform them because of their culture and strong yellow quadrant.jackiemurrenushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00014738405816994780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-80726753039457196332011-04-22T08:55:14.678-07:002011-04-22T08:55:14.678-07:00In terms of the green quadrant, do you feel that S...In terms of the green quadrant, do you feel that Southwest is truly innovative? You've listed a loyalty program, an open door policy, and software that helps turn ideas into profit. This all seems to be relatively normal for most companies. The boarding system and low frills method were innovative when they were invented, but I don't see anything that is truly innovative since then. To me, it looks to be their weakest quadrant.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15072760276887514980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722634406376028570.post-60962963556353110042011-04-22T07:10:59.612-07:002011-04-22T07:10:59.612-07:00"Southwest recognizes that their employees ar..."Southwest recognizes that their employees are the competitive advantage". However, in the blue quadrant, there is a belief of lower wages at all levels. Do you think that having "lower wages at all levels" will deteriorate the company's "fun-luving" attitude and culture, along with affect the type of individuals that they hire into the company?Adam Jelenichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14769913737438626025noreply@blogger.com