How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Friday Apr 20, 2018
Friday Apr 20, 2018
We’re often intimidated by co-workers, relatives, and friends that make it big and wonder “What do they have that makes them successful in everything they do?” Is it talent? Or, insane drive and motivation? Jeff Haden shares the surprising truth about success and motivation, and making things happen.
Who can I emulate? What roadmap can I find? You don’t have to perfect new wheels. There are perfectly working wheels there already. -Jeff Haden
Takeaways + Tactics
- You don’t need an “Aha moment.” Motivation is something you create.
- Your goal doesn’t have to be your life’s passion to find motivation to do it.
- Most successful people are hardworking and persistent. They follow a roadmap and are the last to quit.
- Success comes in small bites which eventually leads to accomplishments of big goals.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
At the beginning of this episode, we unpacked what Jeff Haden learned about successful people in the process of writing his book “The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win.” We also talked about his conclusions after studying high achievers, and what it really takes to become successful.
Jeff also spoke about:
- Successful people work harder than everyone else around them.
- Most people are willing to help if you ask them nicely, as they’re flattered by it.
- Always ask yourself “Will this action bring me closer to my goal?”
Many entrepreneurs quit their job after coming up with a business idea, justifying their actions by saying they want to be “all in.” However, this approach is incredibly risky. What if your business doesn't bring any revenue? Are you prepared to take care of all of the aspects of your business? As a worker, your roadmap and job description are well-defined. But as a business owner, you have to fill in many roles, and often won’t know what step to take next. Keep your job, and treat your business as a side hustle. Test your business idea and find out whether you’re suited to be an entrepreneur.
Thursday Apr 12, 2018
Thursday Apr 12, 2018
There is no end to what you can learn about the airplanes you sell, the sales processes, and how to manage a team. But how do you keep reinventing yourself? What are the best sources of leads? How can you add more value to your clients? On this episode, Brant Dahlfors shares his approach to selling jets.
I do believe you have to reinvent yourself to stay relevant through your career. -Brant Dahlfors
Takeaways + Tactics
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The best way to sell is to develop a direct relationship with your prospects.
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Refusing some deals is part of the business. So is bringing more value to your prospects via detailed information that is relevant to their interests
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Pay attention to the new factors that affect your business. You can never know too much about sales processes, the tech of your competitors, and the technology of airplanes.
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Word of mouth and recommendations are some of the best lead generation sources.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
At the start of the show, we talked about how to broaden your horizon outside the local market, and the importance of developing a direct relationship with your prospects. We also discussed the value of word-of-mouth and personal recommendations, as well as the importance of keeping an eye on everything that affects your business.
We also covered:
- The importance of being in touch with the latest technology advancements
- How to improve the dynamics in your sales team
- How to look more professional in the eyes of the client
Constantly reinventing yourself is a strong way to stay relevant in a competitive business. Make the tech work for you. It will keep your work fresh and interesting.
Thursday Apr 05, 2018
Thursday Apr 05, 2018
With the growth of global business, airlines are struggling to keep up with the demand of travelers. What does this mean for business aviation as an industry? Are we on the verge of a Golden Age for aviation? What makes this industry so unique? On this episode, I talk to the co-owner and founder of Corporate Jet Investor, Alasdair Whyte, who shares the future for the business aviation industry.
We’re about to see a Golden Age of business aviation. -Alasdair Whyte
Takeaways + Tactics
- Business Aviation is a small community. OEMs rely on good brokers. Brokers rely on good operators. OEMs, Brokers and Operators get leads from financiers or lawyers and other channels.
- When 1,000 random Americans were surveyed, 25% said they’ll fly in a business jet in the next 10 years.
- The US is a great place to own a jet because fuel is cheap, and it’s easy to take-off, land, & park. Permits are obtainable, and there are many private airports. This is not the case throughout the world
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
Alasdair talked about how he got started and the advantages of growing a business in a lean economy. Next, we talked about why business aviation is such a unique industry and what is going to create more demand for it.
We also discussed:
- Why Alasdair thinks business aviation is on the verge of a Golden Age
- The average age of owners in the business aviation space
- Different players and countries in the global market
The cost of business aviation is coming down, and more people are going to adopt it. Airlines are going to struggle to fulfill the needs of a growing global business community, and this is where business aviation steps in. The US has proven to be THE best places to own a jet from a business standpoint-- and that’s why it’s booming.
Thursday Mar 29, 2018
Thursday Mar 29, 2018
The OEM and third-party maintenance worlds are incredibly competitive. How can a company provide value that cuts through the competition? What are some of the additional commodities that can benefit the whole market? How does leveraging of data raise industry standards? On this episode Neil Book, President and CEO of Jet Support Services, Inc shares valuable insights on these topics.
I try to bring a sense of urgency and the need to innovate. -Neil Book
Takeaways + Tactics
- A younger fleet means aircraft can be in engine programs a lot longer.
- As new aircraft sales have stalled, the OEMs are focusing heavily on the aftermarket.
- As you build new businesses and revenue streams, it is important that they continue to feed the core business.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
At the start of the show, we talked about the work JSSI does, and the changes they’ve made to the age of the aircraft in their engine program. We also discussed why manufacturers and OEMs are focusing more on the after-market. He shares the value-add commodities they have integrated into their customer service.
We also discussed:
- Strategic partnerships and communication
- How Neil’s tech experience translated to how he does his work at JSSI
- The importance of new revenue streams the feed into the core business
Leveraging buying power with the maintenance community will translate into very competitive rates. This removes the risk of aircraft maintenance and can reduce the overall maintenance cost. Combine technology, innovation and partnerships with the best MROs in the industry, and the ultimate beneficiaries of this are the aircraft operators.
Guest Bio:
Neil Book, President and CEO of Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI). Find him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbook/.
Thursday Mar 22, 2018
Thursday Mar 22, 2018
A winning company is rooted in strong culture and good leadership. When this is lacking, what are the questions you should ask to start turning things around? How do you evaluate whether the management has the appetite to do what needs to be done? How can you go about assembling the right team? On this episode, President and CEO of Zodiac Aerospace, Jeff Barger, shares his strategies for transforming a company from struggle to profitability.
The right team has to be assembled. -Jeff Barger
Takeaways + Tactics
- You want collaborative, cross-functional types of leaders.
- Lead by example and do what you say you’re going to do.
- Bonuses for operators: money is nice to have, but it’s the recognition they really want.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
At the start of the show, Jeff gave some background on his career. He shared his experiences turning businesses around, and how he has successfully done this over the last 15 years. Next, we talked about how to evaluate the culture and leadership to see what needs to be done, as well as the best ways to incentivize hard work.
We also discussed:
- The kinds of leaders you need to have
- How do get the buy-in of the workers
- Dealing with unions
- Mistakes other companies have made
It’s natural for people to be a little cold to a new leader, but when they see that action is taking place, they will start warming up. Once the trust builds, they will start to do the things necessary for their own personal success. That's where you really see the ownership start to get traction at the operator level.
Thursday Mar 22, 2018
Thursday Mar 22, 2018
The aviation industry is ripe for excess and unnecessary spending. How has this affected the balance of power? How will technologies like blockchain promote better data sharing and conversations? On this episode, we are joined by Eldon Thomas from Velo Aviation and Jet Data to answer these questions.
We can share information and data across the industry on the best solutions for performance and reliability. -Eldon Thomas
Takeaways + Tactics
- GE is driving more revenue on the aftermarket services than they are from selling new engines.
- OEMs invest a lot of money into the products so they can capitalize on the backend, and the leasing companies all want products for a price that makes sense for their balance sheets.
- A tracking and information system for parts will help everyone in the industry, and keep insurance costs in check.
- Blockchain technology is coming to aviation.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
Eldon shared how he got started, and explained his interest in supply chain management in aviation. Next we talked about the whole parts industry and the factors controlling it, followed by the possibilities blockchain presents for aviation, and how it can completely change everything for every stakeholder in the industry.
We also discussed:
- Why companies end up overpaying for insurance
- What makes the airline industry unique
- Why there’s a demand for surplus parts
The airline industry is unique. There is a global need for parts which is unpredictable, and parts traceability is expensive. The entire industry can be transformed by Blockchain, the same technology used in Bitcoin, to create a very secure database that is difficult to hack and misuse to bring sanity to an often insane supply chain.
Thursday Mar 01, 2018
Thursday Mar 01, 2018
What does it take to be an executive at the highest level? Should you focus on developing your strengths to the maximum extent, or do you shore up your weaknesses? What happens in a world where IQ is just table stakes? Certified Executive Coach and Chairman of Hawthorne Aviation, Bill Koch joins us to share how to become an executive that attracts and motivates others to high performance.
Effective leaders make investments in others, and far beyond their direct reports. It’s about building a community of trust and letting go of some of the control. - Bill Koch
Takeaways + Tactics
- There is magic in letting go - Effective leaders build a community of trust by investing in others and letting go of the control.
- In each executive, there are usually just 2-3 behaviors that hold them back.
- At the highest levels, executive leaders need to a whole person. You cannot just be good at one function.
As the youngest CEO of AMR Combs, Bill took over the position at age 34 and quickly realized he needed help. The lessons Bill learned in that period of challenge and rapid growth set the stage for his current coaching work with aerospace executives and leaders.
Bill shared key insights on:
- The ultimate predictor of success at the highest levels of business
- How to look past the immediate financial challenges and invest in people
- Why emotional intelligence skills must be developed and practiced
- Whether you should lean into your strengths or shore up your weaknesses
- What needs to change for aerospace to attract the next generation of talent
The aerospace industry, and leading executives, face two major challenges. The first is developing themselves and their people, building emotional intelligence at every level of the organization. The second challenge is learning how to adjust and adapt the culture and structure of their organizations to attract the next generation of talent. Be sure to listen to this special conversation and take notes! Bill shares some valuable guidance any leader can use to improve the leadership and emotional intelligence skills that so often determines success and failure.
Learn More About Our Guest:
Bill Koch is a Certified Executive Coach and Bill has worked with some of the premier companies in the world, including Apple, American Airlines, British Petroleum, John Deere, Time Inc., McKesson, AMN Medical, Christus Health, Rice University, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Raising Cane's Restaurants, Globe Life Insurance, CAE, Arcis Golf. Bill is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF), a member of the elite Forbes® Council of Executive Coaches and plays an active role in the Rice University Leadership Development Program.
As an industry executive, Bill was the youngest CEO of AMR Combs, a leading FBO services provider, taking over the role at just 34 years old. For more than 25 years, Bill held C-Level positions in leading organizations, both public and private, including CEO for a Fortune 500 subsidiary. He currently serves on investment advisory boards, two corporate boards, and community and professional organizations, including his current role as Chairman of Hawthorne Aviation.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.
Thursday Mar 01, 2018
Thursday Mar 01, 2018
The Aerospace Executive Podcast features in-depth conversations with executives, leaders, influencers and journalists in this dynamic, high-stakes industry. Hosted by Craig Picken, founder of NorthStar Group and the leading executive recruiter for the aviation and aerospace industry, you'll learn how top aerospace executives are developing their people, competing for talent, overcoming challenges and adjusting to industry trends to drive growth and profits.
We’re going to have some company leaders who have dominated the industry...people who are coaching executives...people who build airplanes and the technologies that are changing the industry. -Craig Picken
Craig has a very unique background, being the only executive recruiter in the country (perhaps even the world) who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes and run a business. So rather than talk about recruiting and bringing on A players, the Aerospace Executive Podcast puts the focus on the industry and how aerospace leaders are facing the challenges of this dynamic, high-stakes industry.
In future episodes of the Aerospace Executive Podcast, Craig and his guests will cover:
- How executives are setting the vision and culture of their companies
- Challenges and industry trends
- Developing and competing for talent
- Strategies for driving new growth, revenue and profit
- How unique technologies like blockchain could transform aerospace and aviation
- Strategies we can take from executives in the light business jet and helicopter markets
Craig also leverages his experience and background as a naval officer and executive to give back to the military community, maintaining an active blog for military officers and enlisted people who are transitioning out of active service.
For executives or leaders in the aerospace and aviation industry, you’ll take away something actionable from each conversation, including leaders at aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, aftermarket providers, leasing financial organizations and MRO providers. Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play to receive new episodes on your device automatically.
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.
Resources
For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/
To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.