How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
Whether you’re in the Blue Angels, on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier or an elite athlete, being on a high performing team isn’t about you. Your success depends on working together, sacrificing, covering for each other and collaborating.
In order to do this right, everyone on the team has to hold up their end of the bargain. The leader has to be willing to hold up a mirror to their own performance and be the basis of all the values they want the team to have.
The team member has to carry their weight. Collectively, the organizational mission has to precede the personal mission.
The moment you have a group of people with their own agendas is the moment performance and ultimately, results get compromised. How do we uphold the 5 core tenants of high performance teams? How do high performance teams have hard conversations?
In this episode, aviation executive, pilot, speaker, former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels and author of High Trust Leadership, George Dom returns to share how great teams operate, learn from mistakes and work towards their goals.
When you’re a team, your success depends on you working together, sacrificing, covering for each other and collaborating. -George Dom
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- 5 questions to ask yourself everyday
There are interconnected things every single high performance team needs to have. How do we make them part of our daily routines? - Every organization needs a post-flight debrief
One of the biggest gaps is corporate America is the inability for leaders to give and get candid feedback. Why is it so important for teams not to shy away from holding a mirror up to their own performance? - High performance team vs. high performance person
You either have a team or a group of individuals with their own agendas. What are the core characteristics of a real team?
Guest Bio
George is an aviation executive, pilot, speaker and former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. Today he is the COO of ACI Jet and the author of the new book, “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team”. Through inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, and expert coaching, George shares critical lessons on leadership, team-building, and high performance based on his 26-year Navy career that included aerial combat missions, flight leader of the Blue Angels, and Topgun instructor. Participants learn the skills that transform managers into leaders and groups into cohesive teams -- High-Trust Leadership and Focused Engagement. To learn more go to https://georgedom.com/ and connect with George on LinkedIn.
Buy the book “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team” here.
About Your Host
Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Airplanes aren’t retiring the way they used to. They are more sophisticated than ever before. They are staying around longer and they are getting larger with each generation.
This creates a challenge and a lot of complexity for MRO but also a massive opportunity.
How do you run an organization with the capacity, talent and sheer size to support all of this growth?
That’s something West Star Aviation has figured out at a really high level. As a 77-year old company, the business has a storied legacy. But what they’ve accomplished recently is impressive and they are only getting started!
The MRO ecosystem has a lot of demand to go around and a huge customer base to serve, and this is great news. What is the secret to their success? Why did the integration with Jet East go so well?
In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO and COO of West Star Aviation, Stephen Maiden and Allen McReynolds. They share their story, how they are solving the talent shortage and why there’s so much business to go around right now.
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- An incredible success story
West Star Aviation has been around for 77 years. How have they turned a storied legacy into the incredible growth they’ve seen in the last few years?
- The ecosystem has a ton of demand
Airplanes aren’t retiring how they used to. How will this shape the next decade of MRO?
- The fastest, smoothest, greatest integration in aviation
When Jet East and West Star came together, they became a bigger force in the marketplace. Why did this integration work so well?
- How to find strong technical talent
The aviation talent shortage is something we’re all aware of. How do we get young people interested in fixing airplanes?
Guest Bio
Stephen Maiden is the CEO of West Star Aviation. Allen McReynolds is the president and COO at West Star Aviation. With over 75 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, we offer comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, Missouri; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Chicago, and West Palm Beach. Our extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide. To learn more, head to https://www.weststaraviation.com/.
About Your Host
Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.
Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
With the recent Boeing and Textron strikes, it seems the business of manufacturing new planes just can’t catch a break.
These labor woes are just another challenge clobbering the production and availability of new aircraft, and we have to brace for a challenging few weeks (or months).
Unfortunately, this could be the tip of the iceberg that can trickle down, but it’s not all bad news for the whole industry. There is a glimmer of hope - the aftermarket.
Since the pandemic, this side of the business has been white hot, and the strikes are set to make it hotter. That means a strong M&A market, deals at good multiples and a perfect opportunity for owners looking to cash out.
Why is manufacturing’s loss the aftermarket’s gain? How can we expect strikes to affect every sector of the industry? How did smaller companies get ahead of it?
In this episode, President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns for his quarterly M&A update. Today, we discuss the recent strikes and how they will shape the rest of 2024.
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- You can’t change the rules of capitalism
The cash injection of covid was necessary but we weren’t going to escape scot-free. What’s driving the issues in labor right now? - The beauty of being small and nimble
When inflation puts a squeeze on wages, the big corporations have the hardest time. How were smaller companies able to get ahead of strikes? - Production problems = the aftermarket’s advantage
The aerospace and defense strikes are going to hit airplane production with another challenge. Why will this make the aftermarket more lucrative?
Guest Bio
William H. Alderman (Bill) is the Founding Partner of Alderman & Company. Bill is an M&A specialist in the middle market of the aerospace and defense industry with over $2 billion in mergers and acquisition-related transactions to his name. Prior to founding Alderman & Company in 2001, Bill worked for 15 years on Wall Street and in the Aerospace & Defense Industry, principally on M&A transactions in the middle market. His employers included BT Securities, Fieldstone, and General Electric. Bill is a Securities Principal registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and has four securities industry licenses (Series 7, 24, 63, and 65). Bill is a commercial pilot and owns and operates a Cirrus SR22.
- URL Link: https://www.aldermanco.com/
- LinkedIn - William Alderman https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamalderman/
About Your Host
Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
In the highly competitive and specialized world of business jet interiors, standing out with something truly unique is no small feat. The challenge of innovation is compounded by the complex certification processes involved, making it difficult for most companies in this space to create disruptive designs. Interestingly, some of the most significant innovations often come from outside the aviation interior industry. A prime example is RCO Engineering, a company originally focused on automotive interiors.
This small auto interior company was selected to build custom seats for Gulfstream, making the bold leap from mass production to a highly customized, bespoke business model for the aviation industry.
But what drove Gulfstream to choose RCO Engineering for such a critical task? How did they successfully navigate the shift from cars to jets? And what are the key differences between the automotive and business aviation industries?
In this episode of the Aerospace Executive Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Simek, General Manager of RCO Engineering & RCO Aerospace. We dive into the fascinating story of how aerospace came knocking, their business model, and why being a smaller, nimble company positions them for success in the aerospace sector.
There’s a lot involved in business jet interiors. There’s a lot of certification at stake and it’s risky to bring things to market so a lot of companies won’t do it. -Jeff Simek
Key Takeaways From This Episode
- Aerospace Innovation: Learn how RCO Engineering’s unique approach to building jet interiors caught the attention of Gulfstream Aerospace and set them apart in a competitive field.
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The Power of a Small Business in Aerospace: Discover how keeping operations small and focused has helped RCO Aerospace achieve agility and innovation, leading to significant impact in the aviation industry.
- Pivoting from Automotive to Aerospace: The transition from mass production in the automotive industry to a fully customized, high-end business jet interior model presents unique challenges. Find out how RCO made this shift smoothly and effectively.
Guest Bio
Jeff Simek is the General Manager of RCO Engineering & RCO Aerospace. He provides passionate leadership, team building, and strategic planning for cost, quality and delivery performance in the Aerospace and Automotive industries. With over 23 years of experience, his first 14 years were spent in the automotive industry where he held the positions of Program Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Greenfield Site Launch Manager and Plant Manager for large Tier 1 suppliers. Following these positions, he was hired as Business Unit Manager for RCO Engineering’s automotive plastics division. After two years with RCO Engineering, he was promoted to General Manager of Operations for RCO Aerospace, a new start-up, offering passenger seating and interior products for large cabin purpose built jets. Jeff is now in charge of both Aerospace and Automotive operations at RCO with a strategy for the 4th industrial revolution. He also serves as a board member for AIAM where he works to ensure Michigan’s Aerospace industry is aligned to local and global opportunities. To find out more, head to https://www.rcoeng.com/aerospace and connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.
About Your Host
Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.
Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
The pilot shortage might feel like a relatively recent thing, but it has been decades in the making. The foundation had been buckling for a long time and now we’re in full-on free fall, which is being reflected in the salaries and contracts we’re seeing today.
Will this be the new normal going forward? In order to solve this issue, the whole industry has to present a united front to create a solid pipeline of talent. The companies that refuse to pay competitively will suffer accordingly.
In this episode, I’m joined by speaker, author and CEO of The AirComp Calculator, Chris Broyhill. We discuss the roots of the pilot shortage and how it can be rectified.
OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight whether they know it or not. They have to lead by example. -Chris Broyhill
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The pilot pipeline crisis
Why is the barrier of entry for pilots so much higher than it was in the 1980s?
- Why so many companies suffer
Pilots are expensive to replace, how do we avoid losing them?
- OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight
How can the entire industry make a push towards retaining talent?
Guest Bio
Chris Broyhill is a speaker, author and recognized business aviation industry authority on compensation, personnel retention, leadership, and organizational culture. He is the inventor and CEO of The AirComp Calculator. The AirComp Calculator™ is business aviation’s only online compensation analysis system. It can provide precise compensation ranges for 14 business aviation positions in six aircraft classes at over 50 locations throughout the United States in seconds. For more information, head to https://aircompcalculator.com/ or send an email to drchrisbroyhill@aircompcalculator.com.
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In the world of business branding, there are 2 kinds of organizations. The ones that talk about what they do, and the ones that focus on what makes them unique.
You can guess which one grows faster and has more loyal customers.
Branding is non-negotiable - it’s the only way to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
In this industry, many companies don’t do enough to brand themselves differently, or the brands they do have are stuck in the past. As a result, there are hundreds of companies people can’t really tell apart.
That’s why it’s critical to take diligent steps to be memorable and recognizable.
How do you know it’s time to rebrand? What are the pillars of a good brand? How can legacy brands harness all their digital power?
In this episode, I’m joined by CEO and Founder of Moxie Global Consulting, Melissa Thomas. We talk about my recent rebrand, and inventive ways to make your brand come across differently.
There’s a big difference between branding that tells you what a company does and branding that tells you why they do it or how they solve a problem. -Melissa Thomas
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Put both your feet in the digital world
The world may have moved to the digital space but a lot of companies still haven’t caught up. Why is a website so necessary?
-The biggest branding oversights in aviation
The aviation industry is prone to mergers and product changes. We also have a lot of legacy companies that haven’t fully embraced today’s branding standards. How do you make sure your brand reflects the current state of your business?
-The right time to rebrand
In a rapidly evolving world, a brand can get stale really fast. How do you know it’s time for a refresh or a total overhaul?
Guest Bio
Melissa Lucas Thomas is the CEO and Founder of Moxie Global Consulting, LLC. She is a visionary business leader with expertise in the private aviation, luxury hospitality, and retail industries. Over the past two decades, she has worked as an innovator and turnaround expert with emphasis on developing inspiring leaders, managing service culture transformations, creating new revenue streams, and delivering operational excellence. Melissa’s innovative process and technology ideas have been a significant driver behind industry best financial results. To learn more, visit https://moxieglobalconsulting.com/.
About Your Host
Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.
Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Commercial Airlines in the United States have achieved an amazing accomplishment– 10 years without a major mishap. This is an enviable safety record that is a direct result of professionalism and industry improvements made through the years. Resting on our laurels, however, is not an option.
How do we maintain this stellar record despite massive industry changes?
In this episode, I’m joined by former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines, Bob Waltz shares what’s behind the improvement of safety and how to keep it that way going forward.
How we’re training pilots is better than it was even a couple of years ago.
-Bob Waltz
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to set pilots up for safety: With rampant pilot hiring what training gaps needed to be closed?
- Solving the pilot shortfall: Would it be wise to reduce the 1500 hour rule?
- Why the human-machine interface is still needed: As aircraft become more complicated, how do we make sure pilots are familiar with the basics?
Guest Bio
Bob is the former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines. At the core of his experience is leadership in the operational and training arenas of aviation, both in the military and the civilian sectors--but his interests are wider than commercial aviation alone. He enjoys helping others see the value of Safety Management Systems and continuous improvement and bringing these concepts to life in their enterprise. Bob’s skill set translates well across other industries and areas of focus, from unmanned systems to space to formal education and educational administration to venture capital start-ups. His background was forged while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, leading crews flying combat/combat support sorties in the Middle East and the Balkans, serving at the national level as the head of a recruiting team delivering educational opportunities to the widest audience, and guiding a multi-billion dollar OPEX and multi-million dollar CAPEX team of 10,500 folks through the pandemic while completing his Ph.D. in Aerospace Science / Safety Management Systems.
For more information, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-waltz-1829a51b/.
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
Check out this episode on our Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Leading an aircraft carrier with a 5,000 person crew is like running an entire city. The flight deck is dangerous, the number of moving parts is countless, the stakes are high. and the magnitude of responsibility is unparalleled.
How do you deal with all this and still manage to be an approachable leader with the respect and loyalty of your crew? Why is delegation THE key to success?
In this episode, I’m joined by retired Navy captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Brett Crozier. He talks about his incredible career, his philosophy on leadership and what any leader can learn from running an aircraft carrier.
Never overreact. The truth is always in the third report. -Brett Crozier
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The curse of the founder: Delegation is key to leadership efficiency, but why do so many leaders struggle to offload certain responsibilities?
- How to be an approachable leader: The temperament of a leader has a huge effect on the culture, how do we keep our emotions in check?
- The right way to process information: We live in a world of unfiltered information and rushes to judgment. How do we manage this as leaders?
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
Guest Bio
Brett Elliott Crozier is a retired US Navy captain and the author of “Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain”. He embarked on a thirty-year career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the commanding officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron, the world’s largest and most advanced communications ship, and ultimately the USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022.
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Check out this episode on our Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
If all you’re known for is what you do, you’ve basically rendered yourself uncompetitive. -Ken Schmidt
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
In a competitive marketplace, nothing kills you faster than trying to brand yourself on your product or service. That’s a lesson Harley-Davidson learned the hard way.
At one point, the company was being outpaced by Yamaha, Kawasaki and BMW…until they decided to position themselves differently. They went from a product-focused business to a thriving lifestyle brand, and that turned into one of the biggest turnaround stories in American history.
If you focus on what you sell, you’ll render yourself uncompetitive. If you focus on what people believe and say about you, you’ll create a unique brand no one can copy.
That’s how a historic company became an iconic brand.
How can we apply Harley-Davidson’s strategy to our own personal and corporate brands? How do we focus on memorability instead of marketability?
In this episode, I’m joined by speaker, consultant, former director of communications for Harley-Davidson and author of “Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance”, Ken Schmidt. We talk about the secret to strong branding, whatever industry you’re in.
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The lesson Harley Davidson learned the hard way
In business, competing on what we do is the death knell of market domination. How do we shift to something that sets us apart?
- A game of memorability
Building a brand is easier said than done, what are 3 major steps we need to take to build a strong personal or corporate brand?
- Stand out by delighting your customers
So many businesses are commoditized these days and they miss huge opportunities to stand out and gain loyalty. How do we get customers to come back for more?
Guest Bio
Ken Schmidt is a premium-fueled speaker, podcast host, author and consultant serving the world's highest- revving businesses (and those stuck in neutral). As the former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he played an active role in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history – and got paid to ride motorcycles. He is widely known and respected as one of the business world’s most outspoken, provocative, and entertaining thought leaders on competition, brand management, positioning, reputation management, human behavior, and loyalty, and has delivered more than one thousand keynote speeches to business and education groups around the globe. Ken’s book “Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance” teaches how to improve business and personal competitiveness and is shared from his, as always, extraordinarily unexpected point of view. To learn more, head to https://kenspeaks.com/ and buy the book here.
About Your Host
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Trust is really the water that all relationships swim in. When the trust is high, the water is clear and it’s a wonderful experience. When trust isn’t there, the water’s dark and there’s misery and drudgery. -George Dom
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
In the high-flying, high stakes world of The Blue Angels - trust is as vital as the air we breathe. In such an extreme workplace, trust can’t be selective or conditional. People have to fully and enthusiastically put their lives in the hands of their leaders and each other, and that requires high, unwavering trust at all times.
You might not be leading in such an extreme, life or death workplace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them. If we can apply lessons from these environments to our own civilian workplaces, we can push the capabilities of our teams.
From communication to competence, how can military leadership lessons make us better? How do you build a culture of high trust? In this episode, I’m joined by former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels and author of “High Trust Leadership”, George Dom. We talk about how to lead like a Blue Angels commanding officer.
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Get education from extreme workplaces
Some of the best leadership lessons come out of the most extreme environments. What do high-stress, life or death situations teach us about running great organizations?
- The 5 questions everyone asks of their leaders
Whether you’re in a high-stress, high-danger environment or an office, what do leaders need to be focused on?
- Transmit your message consistently
In military and aviation environments, people don’t just assume a message was heard. They have protocols to make sure a message was received. How can we implement this in our organizations?
Guest Bio
George is an aviation executive, pilot, speaker and former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. Today he is the COO of ACI Jet and the author of the upcoming book, “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team”. Through inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, and expert coaching, George shares critical lessons on leadership, team-building, and high performance based on his 26-year Navy career that included aerial combat missions, flight leader of the Blue Angels, and Topgun instructor. Participants learn the skills that transform managers into leaders and groups into cohesive teams -- High-Trust Leadership and Focused Engagement. To learn more go to https://georgedom.com/ and connect with George on LinkedIn.
More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
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