The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Recruiting “A Players”

Everyone wants the “A’s.”  Getting them is easier said than done.  Worse, some companies discourage the best candidates via poor recruiting practices.

On this episode, we discuss the best way to approach the recruitment process.

 

 

You should always be recruiting internally first. -Craig Picken

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• ALWAYS develop your bench. Constant people development is THE key to long-term success
  
  
• Your best recruiting pipeline comes from your teammates.  Want a great Ops Manager? Ask one of your Ops Managers… 
  
  
• Status quo gets you nothing. Your competitor’s superstar VP of Sales already has a good job. What are you going to do for him or her that makes THEIR life better?

 

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 him on 910-509-7129

Or email him on craig@northstaresg.com 

Taking Aerospace to New Heights — Sam Mehta

Sam Mehta, President of Collins Aerospace Mechanical Systems, shares how the Rockwell Collins and UTAS integration is helping the industry soar.

 

 

A few points he delivers upon in this fantastic 30-minute podcast:

• Driving a customer-centric approach
• How companies will make money in the aftermarket
• Industry recruiting and next generation of required skills
• Playing a leading role in developing technology

While the aerospace industry is undergoing a lot of changes, the important thing to remember is that the industry itself is going nowhere. We need to change our approaches somewhat to be more internationally relevant, and we need to keep introducing new people into the industry. The aerospace industry needs to become much more inclusive.

 

Guest Bio

Sam Mehta is the head of the strategic business unit at Collins Aerospace’s Mechanical Systems. With a desire to keep the aerospace industry moving forward, he is passionate about introducing integrated and diverse approaches to existing products. 

To learn more about Sam, head to: https://www.collinsaerospace.com/en/who-we-are/leadership/samir-mehta

 

 

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.

Escaping the Growth Trap — Mark Green

Many CEOs fall into the “growth trap” as their business scales. What is it, and how do you avoid it? Mark Green, author of Activators, shares strategies on the best ways to find personal and business growth. 

 

 

Takeaways + Tactics

• Leaders MUST discover personal growth.  Without it, their teams cannot advance. 
• How to ask the right questions when interviewing for a senior role
• Surrounding yourself with people who challenge your ego is crucial for business growth
• Want better results?  Change your neighborhood…

 

Guest Bio

Mark Green is the CEO of the Performance Dynamics Group. As a strategic advisor and coach, Mark has helped countless CEOs and business leaders to success. He is passionate about helping business owners within the $50-400 million category scale up their companies. Mark is the author of Activators.

To contact Mark, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmarkgreen/

And to get a copy of his book, visit: https://activators.biz/

What Business Can Learn from Fighter Pilots - Paco Chierici

Being a leader amongst peers is a challenge. Leading a team with big egos is a bigger challenge.

 

Accomplished author, documentarian, and fighter pilot, Paco Chierici discusses how businesses can better conduct review processes, manage opposition to change, and how to stand out as a leader to our peers.

 

 

If people saw how people with big egos teach each other and review each other, a lot of CEOs could learn a lot in building their teams. -Craig Picken

 

Best Practices in Marketing Your Business to the Government - Mark Amtower

Only 5-10% of people are doing an adequate job when it comes to branding their business and just 3-4% are doing a great job. Pretty much everyone else sucks at it.

How do we create a successful brand? How is selling to the government different from selling to another corporate entity?

Mark Amtower shares how to build a brand effectively to win government contracts.

 

 

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.

The Team You Start With Isn’t the One You Finish With

Starting a business is difficult at best. And, one of the most difficult aspects of scaling up is shaping the team. With growth comes challenges and the need for new and different skillsets.  On this episode, Matt Johnson and I discuss how the relationship with the team will change.

 

Networking is crucial. How do you know you’ve got a great team if you’ve never seen how other teams operate? -Craig Picken

 

Takeaways + Tactics

• Understand that the people you start with are not always the same people who will get the business to where it needs to be. Growth creates challenges and a need for evolving skillsets.
  
  
• The most difficult challenge entrepreneurs face is the ability to let go. As the business grows, it is hard for them to recognize that they can’t be everywhere at once. A good COO is “gold.”
  
  
• Networking is vital— not only for building contacts, but to see how other teams are run.

 

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, email craig@northstaresg.com

You can also call him on 910 509 7129

And check out his newly revamped website: http://northstaresg.com

Where Did They Come From?

Are you looking over your shoulder?  Maybe you should be.

Tiger Woods and Texas Tech basketball are recent proof that the competition is better than you think and should never be discounted. What are the threats to your business or career that you’re not seeing or taking seriously?

Matt Johnson and I discuss what you should be doing to stay on top.

 

 

Takeaways + Tactics

• Even when you’re at the top, keep looking over your shoulder. It only takes one misstep.
  
  
• Have contrarians on your team who will question ideas and norms.
  
  
• Be the leader who allows respectful criticism. Create an environment where anyone who sees something wrong feels comfortable to speak up.
  
  
• Pay attention to the competition... no matter how insignificant it may seem.

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.

 

A Lesson in Exercising Empathy w/Sean Douglas

Emotional intelligence is crucial in all walks of life – including the military and industry. What does it mean to live out your core values? On this episode, I talk with Air Force maintenance leader and fellow podcaster, Sean Douglas, to hear why he believes empathy is a critical element in business and society.

 

 

The best way to manage poor performers is to educate them.  Train them so they won’t repeat mistakes.

Put people in the places they belong and in areas where they will excel. Don’t set them up for failure.

Exercise empathy. People with personal issues don’t always perform well.  Support them in their struggles and they’ll support you.

 

Resources:

To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.

For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. 

 

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.

The Boeing Crisis & Jumping to Conclusions

 

The Boeing 737 Max crisis has caused considerable anxiety throughout the world. Should customers really be hesitant to board an airplane? Matt Johnson and I discuss why we should avoid jumping to conclusions in the wake of the crisis.

 

Resources

For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/

 

To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.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.

Teamwork, Training and Faith with John Alvarez

John Alvarez is a member of the Air Commando Hall of Fame and the first aviator in US history to be restored to full combat flying status after losing his leg during combat.  I first met him when we were young Ensigns in the Navy, he was in Primary Flight Training and I was on my way to starting flight school.
 

His story is fascinating and involves a host of different players to include Ross Perot, a USMC Drill Instructor, friends and a loving family.  It also comes with several lessons:

• With high performing teams you need to be aware of the competitive environment
• Recognizing your teammates skills, strengths and weaknesses is crucial to success
• Military training from Day 1 is brutal and designed for high stakes situations, but it can save your life
• Dealing with a disability can positively impact you and your outlook on life. It teaches you that you can withstand much more than you think you can.

 

 

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.

Call-to-Action - For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.