How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
2020 has been anything but the norm for businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, and customers. Every business has been hit with new challenges.
Some businesses have come out stronger. These are the companies that successfully pivoted, kept a focus on their marketing, treated their employees well, and kept going despite the challenges.
Anchor Harvey is an example of a company that pivoted, rolled with the punches, and found a new path to success. How did they stabilize their business and identify new opportunities?
In this episode, Anchor Harvey President and CEO, Tom Lefaivre shares how his team is navigating the challenges of running a business in a COVID economy.
The things you should do for your employees cost money, but there’s always a payback. -Tom Lefaivre
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Our clients, prospects, and customers want to hear from us during this time of uncertainty. They want to know that we’re still active and working, and how we’ve shifted operations in response to the pandemic.
- With more people working from home, website clicks rates and email open rates have increased significantly. This is a great time to intensify our online marketing efforts instead of slowing or shutting them down.
- For many business owners, the 2020 crisis has been a time to put more into taking care of their employees and boosting morale. When we show our people that we care, especially in tough times, we earn a lifetime of loyalty.
Guest Bio
Tom is the President and CEO at Anchor Harvey Components. Anchor Harvey is a data-driven aluminum forging company with a century-long legacy in precision manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain management. They’ve modernized the age-old aluminum forging process by introducing sophisticated technology to monitor and control every step of the operation. For more information visit https://anchorharvey.com/ and connect with Tom here https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lefaivre-8804a013/.
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 Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to the airline and aircraft leasing industries, but the cracks were already there pre-pandemic. The pandemic merely sped up the inevitable. How do we rebuild?
Do we play it safe until the storm passes over or do we try new things in a frozen aircraft market?
Industry expert and Partner at Split Rock Aviation, Andy Mansell shares how the industry should use this time to plan for the future.
If you’re patient during this period, the returns can be unbelievably good. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to plan more realistically: Develop a playbook that factors in bad news and the impact it will have on pricing. It is easier to deal with a crisis when it is planned for it in advance.
- How lessors can make the most of the post-COVID industry: The market is cyclical and business challenges are inevitable. The best way for lessors to stay profitable is by aggressively investing immediately after a correction and exiting before the next one begins.
- Why owning every aspect of the production process puts us in danger: Operating without partners may seem like an attractive idea because doing so means we keep all our profits. However, while having partners means we’re sharing profits, it also means we’re sharing the burden of losses.
Guest Bio-
Andy Mansell is a commercial aviation leasing industry veteran with an extensive background in developing, implementing, and executing strategies for aircraft trading and leasing. He is a Partner at Split Rock Aviation and has previously held leadership roles at Charlotte Parker and Associates LLC, Aviation Capital Group, and Boullioun Aviation Services.
To find out more, head to:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mansell
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 24, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Hiring the right people is never easy. If we’re seeing talent and potential in someone, odds are our competitors see that too.
It’s also important to remember that people exist in a fluid marketplace – our existing talent is constantly being enticed with other offers. Thus, it is OUR responsibility to ensure they’re happier with us.
What can we do to make sure top recruits are drawn to us, rather than our competition? How do we retain our existing employees?
In this episode, we discuss that hiring and retention are dependent on a clear communication and negotiation process.
We’re not trying to figure out world peace, we’re just trying to see what it’ll take to keep a great person in our organization. Keep it simple and ask the right questions. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The simplest way to find out what someone wants is to ASK! Do not assume what they want or that what you’re offering is good enough.
- Be clear on what you’re willing to give. When we’re clear on what we can and can’t accept, the process becomes very straightforward.
- Negotiation can be a tense experience and it requires emotional intelligence on our behalf. It’s just business… Don’t make it personal.
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.
Contact Craig on 910 509 7129
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
In a completely online world, the difference between Harvard and the University of Phoenix becomes very small. How does one differentiate the two without the personal classroom and extracurricular interaction?
In similar fashion, the Work From Home trend certainly has its advantages. But as the business world goes virtual, how does one differentiate themselves and grow without the ability to network, build relationships, or show leadership ability?
Where new talent could once climb the ladder by taking initiative in the office, the shift towards an online world may lessen that impact. It is hard to impress or bond with co-workers whom you’ve never personally met!
In this episode, we talk about the challenges faced by young recruits as the world moves online.
Your choice to interact with leaders in-person might be taken away, but you’ll always grab their attention by solving problems. -Matt Johnson
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
How to learn about company culture when everyone works from home
We may not be able to walk into a lobby to catch a glimpse of company culture anymore, but we can still do our research. Reach out to employees through tools like LinkedIn to get a better idea of company values.
Being proactive identifies us as future leaders
Identifying problems and providing solutions is a great way to capture the attention of leaders. By taking charge, we’re sure to impress our superiors no matter where we’re working from.
The importance of branding in a virtual world
Being known for what we’re good at is a surefire way to stand out to the right people. Build a personal brand based on strengths and a proven track record.
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.
To contact Craig,
Call or text him on 910 509 7129
Or email him at craig@northstaresg.com
Books mentioned on this episode:
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Starting a small business is daunting. Many people with massive potential don’t take advantage of the opportunities out of fear, but that’s exactly why we need to take the plunge.
There are unique benefits to running a smaller, more nimble operation, especially right now. Small business leadership isn’t for everyone, but those up for the task stand to gain massive success.
What unique opportunities do small businesses have? How can we keep pushing forward and stay optimistic even when faced with challenges? How can we build the right teams to make the most of the opportunity?
Scott Ashton, President and CEO of Aerox, joins me to discuss how he’s built a small business that packs a punch.
As a small business owner, every day is a learning experience. If you’re open to adapting every day, hour and minute, you can be really successful. -Scott Ashton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to instill a sense of responsibility in our teams
Our reputations are on the line as small business owners, so we have to ensure our employees deliver. The best way to do this is by leading by example. When a leader gets the job done in spite of challenges, the team sees it’s possible for them too. - The importance of checking in with our teams
One of the benefits of a small business is the ability to communicate easily with our employees. Share positive feedback with everyone so they know they’re on the right track. If a customer commends the service, let them know! - How to stay optimistic in the face of setbacks
It’s second nature to feel despondent when something goes wrong, whether we receive negative feedback or don’t meet our targets. To combat this, we have to learn from the experience and keep moving forward.
Guest Bio:
Scott Ashton is the President and CEO of Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems. A passionate business aviation executive, Scott thrives on building client-focused, operationally excellent organizations led by highly skilled teams. Scott has extensive experience in the aviation industry, having served in multiple management and leadership roles throughout his career.
To find out more, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottashton
https://m.facebook.com/pg/aeroxoxygen/posts/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0
You can also email Scott at:
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 Jul 30, 2020
Thursday Jul 30, 2020
With domestic air travel reopening across the world the airlines are bouncing back. But there is more short term pain.
To move forward from this crisis let’s focus on the fact that there’s opportunity for long-term gain. Who do the airline turn to for survival? Governments? Capital Markets?
Industry expert, Senior ISTAT Aircraft Appraiser and successful investment professional, David Yu, shares his thoughts.
Domestic flights have bounced back somewhat, but when it comes to international travel, governments will be the wild card. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How investors should respond to the ongoing crisis
In light of the continuing challenges faced by the industry, lessors and benefactors may need to consider a second wave of rent deferrals. Debt repayments need to be restructured realistically. - Why we need to avoid liquidation during this period
We’re essentially a frozen market, so now is not the time to liquidate or sell. - Why we need to stop tending the wound It makes sense to reduce risk in a crisis market but there must be a shift to growth. If we keep holding back, we’ll never reach the next stage of development.
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.
Guest Bio
David Yu is the Chairman of China Aviation Valuation Advisors (CAVA) and its sister firms, Asia Aviation Valuation Advisors (AAVA) and Korea Aviation Valuation Advisors (KAVA). He is the only Senior ISTAT Aviation Appraiser in North Asia and China, and is a Forbes Contributor and thought leader in cross-border financing, real assets, and aviation finance and leasing. David is also a Professor of Finance at New York University Shanghai and Stern.
To find out more about David, head to:
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
No one could have predicted everything that’s happened in 2020, or what the rest of the year holds. Uncertain times are tough, but they’re also opportunities for innovation.
Where can business leaders still find great opportunities for growth?
In this episode Chad Cundiff, President of the Astronautics Corporation of America shares his thoughts on the future of aviation and the role innovation will play.
Innovation doesn’t need to come with an exorbitant price tag. In my experience, people with innovative ideas can usually prove out their ideas without a big budget. -Chad Cundiff
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
Innovation isn’t limited by the size of your company
Small companies won’t always have access to experts on any given topic, but that doesn’t need to stop us from developing new, original ideas.
How to bring in new ideas & perspectives without breaking the bank
Recruiting straight out of universities brings opportunity to grow talent and get in fresh ideas.
Why money isn’t the problem in innovation
Even when there’s uncertainty, there will always be money for the right ideas to be developed.
Guest Bio
Chad Cundiff is the President at Astronautics Corporation of America. He has over two decades of experience in aerospace, having spent over 15 years at Honeywell Aerospace and later leading strategy and business development for UTC Aerospace Systems. Chad began his career as an engineer at Boeing, developing the Boeing 777 aircraft.
To find out more about Chad, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-cundiff-0434b66
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.
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
We live in a society that teaches that there’s only two paths, win or lose. But the path to success isn’t that simple, and one key ingredient of success is learning from failure. The truth is, there’s no such thing as failure. As Nelson Mandela so famously quoted, “I either win, or I learn.”
Even when things don’t seem to be working out, we’re learning valuable lessons.
To succeed in business and in life, we need to understand that we won’t always win in the traditional sense, and that’s okay! We have to stop torturing ourselves for making mistakes.
In this episode, Founder and CEO of Extraordinary Advisors, Todd Palmer shares how to fail forward.
If you’re not failing forward, you’re not succeeding. -Todd Palmer
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to be intentional in everything we do
Whether we’re struggling with finding the right systems to implement in our businesses or facing something out of our control, like a pandemic, challenges are inevitable. It’s how we handle the challenge that determines if we win. - Why we must lean into uncomfortable conversations
It’s okay to feel stuck in a box, but we have to tell people. Communicate about potential problems and ask for help. Uncomfortable conversations are often more uncomfortable in our heads than they are in the real world, so lean into them. - How to embrace mistakes rather than fear them
When things don’t go according to plan, we get an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and grow from them. There’s no way to lose; we either win, or we learn.
Guest Bio
Todd Palmer is the Founder, President and CEO of Extraordinary Advisors. He is also a business coach and keynote speaker within the organization, and is passionate about helping people find ways around obstacles in their businesses. Todd is the author of The Job Search Process, and also writes on Human Capital Issues at Production Machining and DBusiness Magazine. Todd served as the owner and President of Diversified Industrial Staffing for over 22 years before retiring from day-to-day operations in 2019.
To find out more about Todd, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddpalmer1
Find his book at:
https://www.amazon.com/Todd-Palmer/e/B019A60UQS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
You can also email him on:
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
The world we once knew no longer exists, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We can now rethink and reaffirm our values as business leaders.
But are we changing or transitioning? There is a difference! Whichever it is we’re doing, communicating who we serve and what we stand for is the key to success.
Michael Alan Tate, author of Roll Up Your Sleeves, returns and discusses what it takes to be an effective leader in a world filled with constant change.
Principles and purpose are extremely important. When the people in your organization return to work, remind them how important their job is. -Michael Alan Tate
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
Reaffirm purpose: Why it is leadership’s job to help teams navigate their emotions, affirm their purpose and remind them of their importance.
Have a 90-day vision: Short term goals are very effective to move our businesses forward, and make them as clear as possible.
Communicate effectively: Nobody ever died from over-communication! People are hungry for information. Tell your story, communicate your vision.
Guest Bio
Michael Alan Tate is an executive consultant and career coach. He is also the author of The White Shirt: Find Your Ideal Career with the Secrets Hidden in This Ancient History, Design a Life that Works and Roll Up Your Sleeves: Leading and Living in a World of Constant Change. Michael is the Founder and President of On the Same Page consulting.
To find out more about Michael, head to:
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 Jun 18, 2020
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
It may be an act of God, but is force majeure a realistic path to go down?
Mark Ditto, Vedder Price Shareholder and Attorney, explains how stakeholders are responding to this and other pertinent legal issues in our current commercial aviation reality.
At the end of the day, we’ve got to look to the future. If we use force majeure as a reason not to pay bills, it puts us in a precarious position going forward. -Craig Picken
3 Things We Learned from Mark
- Force Majeure: It may seem like a viable option now, but be sure to think about the future. It may help protect cash, but it could impact future relationships with service providers.
- Rent Deferrals: Rent deferral requests continue to come fast and furious from operators and have taken on a variety of flavors. These often need to be approved by lenders as well, and it can take a long time to get consent.
- Relationships Matter: Lessors and banks have been relatively understanding of the toll this has taken on the airlines and the industry. The ones that thrive will focus on maintaining good relationships.
Guest Bio
Mark Ditto is an Aviation/Equipment Finance Attorney and shareholder at Vedder Price, P.C. He represents operating lessors, commercial banks, finance companies, private equity firms, hedge funds and other investors in all manner of aircraft finance transactions.
To find out more about Mark, head to:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ditto-90491464
You can also email him at mditto@vetterprice.com
Or call him on 3126097643
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.