Episodes
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Small Aviation Business, BIG Success with Scott Ashton
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
Beyond the Short-Term Pain of a Crisis is the Opportunity with David Yu
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
How Aviation Can Innovate Its Way Out of Difficult Times w/Chad Cundiff
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
Failure Doesn't Exist: How to Always Win with Todd Palmer
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
How To Lead In A World Of Constant Change - Michael Alan Tate
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
Force Majeure! The Evolving Legal Landscape in Times of Turmoil
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.
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Weathering the Storm with Nick Pastushan
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Airlines and Dinosaurs… Fighting off extinction! How does the industry rebuild?
With so much uncertainty, it will be difficult to plan a way forward, but it’s not all doom and gloom – people WILL want to travel again. We just have to figure out how to stay afloat until demand fully returns.
Leasing industry veteran and CEO / Chief Investment Officer at Warbird Capital LLC, Nick Pastushan joins me to discuss the future of aviation in a time of uncertainty.
Think of it like this: COVID-19 is like the asteroid that knocked out the dinosaurs. All parts of our industry’s ecosystem are at risk. -Nick Pastushan
Three Things Nick and I Discuss:
- The aviation industry will take flight, but we have to be prepared for intense restructuring to get us through “to the other side.”
- OEMs should take this time to go into hibernation. Even with all the skills and tools to keep producing, it’s a good idea to put a pause on operations until there’s more clarity in the industry.
- Once borders reopen, consumers may be hesitant to board flights. But, they will still want to see the world!
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
Nick Pastushan is the Founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Warbird Capital LLC. Prior to this, he was the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Credit Officer at CIT for over 10 years. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology.
To find out more about Nick, visit:
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Opportunity's Knocking, How Will You Respond?
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
COVID brought CHAOS! It will also bring out two groups of people – those who will use it as a chance to grow and those who will bury their heads in the sand.
I find it ironic that most of the opportunity comes during times of uncertainty…How many new businesses were started during the great recession? How many millions were minted during the Savings & Loan crisis? How many took advantage of a recent 30% stock market drop? It’s time to navigate the chaos and identify the opportunity. The winners are aggressively doing that now. The losers are those saying “I’m not making calls today…businesses are closed.”
In this episode, I talk about why chaotic times are the best times to roll up our sleeves and dig in.
If you’ve got your head in the sand, hoping for the best is not going to work, you have to be driving forward and getting out of your comfort zone. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Winning or losing is determined by the mindset we find ourselves in.
- Many companies can restructure for the better: Now is the time to hire engineers, A&Ps and pilots – skill sets that were in short supply 12 months ago.
- Use this time to prepare to drive your business and career forward. As businesses shift in the chaos, there will be new opportunities.
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 May 28, 2020
It’s Grit that Gets Us Through Tough Times
Thursday May 28, 2020
Thursday May 28, 2020
What makes a Navy SEAL a Navy Seal? Why did 25% of my Officer Candidate School classmates quit training in the first week? Why does your top sales exec produce exponentially better results than your bottom one?
It can be summed up in one word – GRIT! Those who talk about the dream and those who actually accomplish it.
People with grit have the determination to get things done, no matter the circumstance. They don’t quit.
The economy is now challenged and many businesses are fighting for survival. How will grit get us through to the other side?
Great economies create a lot of mediocre behavior. Right now, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves, get into the trenches and find true grit. If you can produce 5x your salary in value, you’re going to be king forever. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- If you don’t feel like you’re in the right job, then start preparing and networking now. It’s time to position ourselves for the mass restructuring that will be coming in the next 24 months.
- The downside of a great economy is that it hid a lot of bad behavior. Now is the time to be evaluating everything and everyone in your business. Are you getting what you need to be successful?
- Challenging times create great opportunities. It’s a great time for reinvention so start planning for a new venture or direction.
Thursday May 21, 2020
Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Help Rebuild the Aviation Industry - Neil Sahota
Thursday May 21, 2020
Thursday May 21, 2020
In the wake of COVID-19 it is time to look forward and use the pandemic as an opportunity to improve. How can we use AI to take aviation forward and shape the future?
Neil Sahota, author of Own the AI Revolution, returns to the show to share how to rebuild the aviation industry.
The aviation industry as we know it has changed: we have to start changing the way we think about business. -Neil Sahota
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- New metrics that will precisely target flying airline customer
- Use AI to find our customers’ ‘why’. If we know why people were choosing to fly before the pandemic, we’ll be more likely to find ways to win them back.
- How to change mindsets to reshape the industry
Guest Bio
Neil Sahota is a United Nations Artificial Intelligence subject matter expert, IBM Master Inventor and Professor at UC Irvine. He is also a speaker on inspiring innovation, and the author of Own the AI Revolution: Unlock Your Artificial Intelligence Strategy to Disrupt Your Competition. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Neil is currently working on artificial empathy technology through the United Nations.
To find out more about Neil, head to:
NeilSahota.com
You can also find his book at:
https://www.amazon.com/Own-I-Revolution-Intelligence-Competition/dp/1260458377
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.