How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
The skilled American worker has the resourcefulness to create better opportunities for themselves, so they’re not going to tolerate being treated poorly, even if they’re employed by a mega industry player.
What will it take for business owners to stand out to recruits at a time when the balance of power is rapidly shifting in favor of employees? What can we do to not only attract, but retain their interest, so they’re less likely to look elsewhere?
In this episode, we’re discussing how to become (and stay!) the top choice for top talent.
"If you come into negotiations from a power position, you’ll win every time." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-The key to keeping our teams enthusiastic
It’s one thing to recruit talent, but how do we keep them interested and invested?
-How to build high-performing teams on a budget
Realistically, top talent are not likely to accept below-market compensation, so what does that mean for companies with smaller budgets? Is there a way to onboard talent without forking out a ton of cash?
-One thing to be mindful of when recruiting
If we’re continually going outside our organizations to find talent, rather than developing skills internally, what message are we sending to our employees?
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 Mar 07, 2024
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
What separates the companies knocking it out of the ballpark and those running in place? Oftentimes it’s just simple communication.
Lack of achievement isn’t just a function of what people do, it’s what’s they don’t say…. But really need to!
The best leaders recognize the need for open communication and prioritize it, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Why is the distinction between a high-performance and high-achievement so important in our organizations? How do we become unconditionally powerful? How do we remove static from our communication lines?
In this episode, I’m joined by consultant, speaker, and author of Unconditional Power, Steven Gaffney. We talk about the secret to successful organizations and how to empower the people who work in them.
The word high-performing is old-hat and it often doesn’t speak to the times. I say high-achieving. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Performance isn’t the problem, achieving is
We’re not paid to work hard, we’re paid to achieve results.
-Team first, position second
How do we pivot from focusing on our own role to thinking of the needs of the whole organization?
-Traits of the powerful
How do we go from powerless to unconditionally powerful?
Guest Bio
Steven Gaffney is a consultant, speaker, CEO of the Steven Gaffney Company, and author of Unconditional Power. He is the leading expert on creating Consistently High Achieving Organizations (CHAO)™ including high-achieving teams, honest communication, and change leadership. With almost 30 years of experience, Steven has become the go-to person and trusted advisor for countless top leaders and executive teams from Fortune 500 companies and associations, as well as the U.S. government and military. He is also a highly regarded author and sought-after speaker.
To get Steve’s free resources and 12 Essential Elements of a Consistently High-Achieving Team and The Fish Isn’t Sick the Water’s Dirty, go to https://justbehonest.com/ and mention this podcast in your contact.
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 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.
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
During the pandemic, aviation was in a world of hurt and it took a long time to recover. Now that we’re out of that, everyone is making money…except Boeing and anyone tied to them.
If you’re a well-run company, executing at a high level, you’re benefiting from the industry bounce back. If you’re programmatically connected to Boeing - well, it’s complicated and will be for a while.
Is there any silver lining for Boeing, or can we expect trouble for the next decade? Are interest rates affecting aviation, or is the labor shortage still the most pressing concern? In this episode, M&A banker, Bill Alderman returns to share the state of the industry and it’s so bifurcated.
If you are programmatically tied to Boeing, this is a difficult time for you, and it’s got nothing to do with the industry. It’s that your customer has actual operating problems and that flows right down onto you. -Bill Alderman
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-The real problem
Everyone’s talking about the impact of interest rates, but is the labor shortage the real issue?
-Can Boeing get its act together
Why is Boeing having such a hard time while everyone else in the industry is experiencing incredible profitability?
-Boeing’s fate
The market’s lost confidence in Boeing, are they due for an activist investor or total collapse?
Guest Bio
William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company who are aerospace and defense M&A bankers. Bill has always had a passion for aviation, and is both a commercial pilot and aircraft owner. Today, he uses his expertise, coupled with his interests to represent Middle Market Sellers in the Aerospace and Defense industry.
To find out more, go to:
https://aldermanco.com/
You can also call or text him on:
914.414.4070
Or email him 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 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.
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
They are considered “too small”! That is, until there’s an issue with a critical component they supply. Then they become the backbone of the industry. Small suppliers play a big role in aerospace.
With the addition of some “scale,” TLC, and robust business systems, there is also ample opportunity for growth. And this is exact what Scott Ashton is doing with Aerox.
From “big company” to pursuing his entrepreneurial dream Scott is building something great and he’s never looking back.
What’s the difference between working for big corporations and being the captain of a tugboat? What are some of the challenges that come with acquiring smaller suppliers?
In this episode, Scott talks about growing a small company, his latest acquisitions, and what he’s learned on his entrepreneurial journey.
You can have an impact on a company in a way that you can’t have in a much bigger organization. It’s very satisfying. -Scott Ashton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Building the playbook from scratch
What’s the biggest difference between being an entrepreneur and an employee at a large company?
-The ultimate entrepreneurial opportunity
How do you take a company that hasn’t had much investment and modernize it?
-Due diligence in a resource-scarce environment
What are some of the challenges smaller aerospace suppliers face, and why is it a huge opportunity for the right entrepreneur?
Guest Bio
Scott Ashton is the President and CEO at Aerox®Aviation Oxygen Systems and Aerox® Fluid Power. He is an experienced business aviation executive with P&L expertise managing and operating Part 145 repair stations, and Part 135 charter, aircraft management, and fractional ownership programs.
For more information, head to https://www.aerox.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 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.
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
There are two ways to build company culture:
The first is intentional and proactive. The second is by winging it with the hopes that nothing goes wrong, which never happens.
Culture is more than a set of words that hang on the wall. It is a collection of behaviors that permeate so deeply that people do them automatically, even when no one is looking. Hiring those desired behaviors is the key to installing a culture of excellence.
Instead of forcing a set of values on people, think deeply about the values the organization wants to drive and then hire the people who fit them.
Why are company cultures that are built this way more likely to succeed and have engaged employees? How can organizations get this right?
In this episode, I’m joined by Ann Rhoades who has been instrumental in building cultures at Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Double Tree Hotels. She shares why culture matters, how to build it correctly, and what leaders need to be mindful of.
Hire for the right behaviors because 90% of the time, those people will behave that way consistently. -Ann Rhoades
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Focus on behavior
Do organizations skip some important foundational steps in creating their culture?
-The power of intentional culture
How can employees become recruiters and gatekeepers of our culture?
-When culture goes wrong
How did a certain embattled aircraft manufacturer go from a quality-focused culture to looking over its shoulder wondering where and when the next shoe drops?
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
The commercial aircraft and engine market may be dislocated but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for discerning investors. In many ways, the lack of efficiency is the opportunity.
Where are the opportunities right now?
In this episode, co-founder of Inception Aviation Holdings, Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, and author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class, David Yu returns. He gives his take on aviation right now, including Boeing, the supply chain, the regional airline crisis and why he thinks the industry headed in a good direction.
There’s definitely some more efficiencies to be gained out of the current generation, but first off, let’s make sure they are working properly, as advertised. -David Yu
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-An innovation stalemate
With no new engine or airframe on the horizon, where will the developments come from over the next few years?
-How to find the opportunity right now
What are some of the challenges the European and Asian markets are facing, and what are the possible solutions?
-Parked planes don’t make any money
Is the real opportunity for regional jets affected by the pilot shortage overseas?
Guest Bio
David Yu is the Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and co-founder of aviation investing and financing firm, Inception Aviation Holdings. He is also the Executive Director of IBA Group in Asia, a leading global aircraft appraisal and consultancy. A recognized expert in cross-border finance and investing, David is an Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, where he teaches the ‘Investing and Financing In and With China’ class. David is the author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class and a Forbes contributor.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Valuation-Airplane-Investments-Asset/dp/9811567425
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidyu/?sh=51431f782d7d
Or contact David at david.yu@nyu.edu
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 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.
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
From pilot pay and recruiting to acquisitions and maintenance scope - OneSky Flight has seen a steady stream of BIG wins. These are huge feats accomplished against the backdrop of a tumultuous industry, and they speak to the leadership of the organization.
OneSky’s success has been done in stages; formulating the strategy to make the company a successful career destination, hiring accomplished “right-fit” aviators, and growing both the fleet and maintenance capacity to keep up with the needs.
How is the leadership balancing these goals while being selective about growth? What measures have they put in place to avoid some of the woes their industry counterparts are facing?
In this episode, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer at OneSky Flight, Bob Sullivan returns to talk about the exciting year the company has had.
World dominance is not our goal - our goal is to be the best. -Bob Sullivan
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Become a career destination
While everyone else was turning left and lowering their standards when it comes to talent acquisition and pilot pay, OneSky chose a different path.
-The in-house maintenance investment
Securing more maintenance and bringing it “in-house” will help facilitate aircraft fleet growth
-Excellence not dominance
Unfettered growth isn’t the goal at OneSky. What are they focused on?
-The magic number
The covid era showed that there’s an appetite for private aviation. How can companies identify new customers?
Guest Bio
Bob Sullivan is a SVP and Chief Administrative Officer at OneSky Flight portfolio. With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Bob is passionate about ensuring everyone involved in aviation work in harmony with one another. Bob’s enthusiasm for treating everyone as a valuable cog in the machinery is what keeps companies under the OneSky Flight portfolio unique from their competitors. To find out more about OneSky Flight, go to http://www.onesky.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 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.
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Efficiency is mission critical in the high-touch, high-mix, low-volume world of mid-sized MROs. Doing the job right and doing it quickly is the name of the game.
Leaders have to drive velocity and streamline processes and they have to do so while operating in a technical talent-constrained environment.
That’s the job Elliott Aviation’s CEO, Dan Edwards walked into. His perspective: MRO is a fun business. What are some of the concerns he’s balancing as the leader of this organization? How do you balance the legacy play with an ambition for growth?
In this episode, Dan shares what it’s like running Elliott Aviation, how they are finding talent in this environment, and driving up efficiency in a business where it matters most.
The pandemic wreaked havoc on the industry. There’s been so much turnover of talent. Attracting and retaining that talent is the number 1 aspect of having a good business in the MRO world. -Dan Edwards
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Don’t chase squirrels
It’s really tempting to chase down the industry and try to compete in every space. How does Dan avoid this trap as CEO?
-A good problem for a CEO to have
How do you find the harmony between the pipeline created by sales and the capacity the operations team actually has?
-The key to a successful MRO business
The shortage of technical talent is a pain many MROs are feeling right now. How is Elliott Aviation filling their immediate talent needs while also thinking of the future?
Guest Bio
Dan Edwards is a seasoned aerospace executive and has led a broad array of businesses in both the government and commercial sectors. His new role as CEO of Elliott Aviation is the latest in a successful history in the aerospace and defense industry. Formerly the CEO of Triman Industries, Dan led the development and execution of the aggressive growth strategy that vaulted Triman to the top of military aftermarket distribution by tripling sales and growing profitability by over 5 times. Dan served over 23 years in the USAF both in active duty and reserve status as a KC-10 pilot and Civil Engineer. He graduated from the US Air Force Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering and later earned his MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Go to https://www.elliottaviation.com/ for more information or connect with Dan on LinkedIn.
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 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.
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Most organizations don’t put enough time into the culture and mindset that makes them a great place to work and they miss out on talent because of it.
It’s one thing to post a job and wait for applicants to start rolling in. It’s another thing to proactively make your company a destination - a place people would beat down doors to join.
Maybe it’s HR laziness or an inability to determine your company’s true value proposition, but ultimately, if you’re not thinking about what your company brings to the marketplace, you’re in trouble.
In this edition of Million Dollar Careers, we explore how to make your company stand above the rest when it comes to attracting and retaining talent.
If you’re really good and you can take a company, P&L or territory to new heights, you take the base salary for you to live on and then you work for the upside which you can thrive on. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-How to establish your company as an elite workplace
What would make someone want to relocate and move to your company?
-How to make joining your company a no-brainer
If salary isn’t enough to compel the best people to join your company, what are they looking for?
-What special force operations teach us about attraction and retention
A lot of military operations aren’t lacking in ambitious people eager to join, what’s their secret?
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 Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
“I’ve got this job, want it or not?” is the absolute worst way to recruit an A+ player. Whether you’re a recruiter or a company looking for talent, the approach you take matters.
Ignoring their motivations or not caring about them at all means that you will risk losing those who can help you the most. Leave a negative impression at the start and you’ll guarantee the role will never get filled.
What are the other mistakes people make in the hiring process? How can conversations can be set up for success instead?
In this episode my good friend and podcast producer Matt Johnson and I talk about why candidates need an advocate, and how recruiters can be one.
Put aside your box of toys, and think about what it would take to get someone happy, healthy and motivated to start the job, itching to go. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-There are only 6 reasons people change jobs
How do you pull someone into an opportunity?
-Find a champion
What’s the difference between a recruiter who really cares about the candidate and someone who’s just looking to fill a slot?
-Don’t knee-cap the candidate
What are the things that leave a negative impression at the point when we want people to be most fired up?
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 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.