Just last night there was a very interesting program on the Beebs about LCAs. Southwest took the trouble to provide a senior marketing exec for interview and the contrast between his comments on the success of the SW business model focussed on how much they rely on the sharp end employees and why they are so highly valued and considered. In 31 years of operations they have never laid anyone off and have had 29 consecutive years of profit which is a record, and attained only by being completely faithful to the proven business model). He stressed how important that the high morale of all employees is to profitability and success and that it comes only through leadership.
'Ray' on the other hand was colourless, unenthusiastic and boring, intimating that the problems at eJ had nothing to do with management. He just denied them and maintained a head in the sand attitude. Fortunately he wasn't given much air time anyway, but then the BBC aren't altogether fools either.
Listening to the difference between these two leads one to believe that any integrity of our business model vanished with the personality to drive it, Stelios. He was motivated and people oriented, knowing that his and the Companys future lay squarely with the proven SW business model, that is the goodwill of the other members of the company and a proactive people centred approach. The current bunch of 'suits' at easyJet are in it for only themselves, they have made that abundantly clear.
How very sad to see it going to the dogs, such great potential squandered by unappreciative fools. Keep my shares Ray, they won't be worth diddly soon. The price hasn't halved simply because of the market downturn, but I guess you won't admit that either.
