13 reasons why your statement is flawed and meaningless.
1.) Total lack of reason
Everybody can claim everything. Everybody can accuse anybody of everything.
You, as the accuser, are carrying the 'burden of proof". That is the only rational way to argue in a civilised world. I read your statement multiple times. It does not contain one single piece of evidence or proof. Absolutely nothing but wild accusations, theories and generalizations.
2.) Total lack of tangibility
Not only do you ommit any reason, your accusations are so vague, so unspecific ( "missed opportunies", "culture of apathy") that there is no way to respond in a meaningful way. What missed opportunites? What culture of "apathy" ? I do not know your personal reasons for applying this vagueness, but this technique is a very common tool for populists.
3) Conialism can't be the reason for Cathay's present problems for multiple reasons.
Colonialism is a shared historic past of not only the entire Hong Kong economy , but half of the rest of the world. It is like claiming monarchy or the plague for problems at Johnsons and Johnsons. Hong Kongs companies ( and those of Singapore, Australia, NZ, US, Canada, SA) have been highly successful in the past and present, as Cathay has been until very recently. It makes no sense to blame a historic event for an individual current business crisis, none. Also see 1), where is your proof for your allegation?
3) "Silo mangement"
Have a look at Cathay's organigram. it is a very common company structure, I challenge you to identify any differences to similar companies. Your claim of a "vertical silo management" , which is in your opinion a "hallmark of CX" is a myth. Have a look at other companies, the organigrams are publicly available. Your accusation is unfounded and wrong.
You further claim Cathay's organisation is "highly territorial and bureaucratic ", being "solely concerned with one's own department's budget " and this would be "incredibly shortsighted and inefficient". Can you name a specific occurence, any recent event where this was evident? You also have to keep in mind that every organisation has problems, only mentioning this general fact is pointless. What is the alternative? No company is a democracy, and even democracies are not flawless. Do you have a specific plan in mind how to organise a company with thousands of employees, multiple franchises, global representions etc? I am happy to see your suggestions.
4) Lack of creativity of Cathay and the " Chinese" in general
An interesting argument from someone who is just reiterating cockpit gossip, but ok. What kind of "creative" solutions are missing? And what has Chinese history to do with it? Again, you are using a historic event ( Mao) plus racial stereotypes to support your "argument" Why are the so many Chinese companies so successful today? China as a country is much more successful than India for instance, which only 50 years ago was much richer. And even if you
would be right, and it is all down to Mao, what is your conclusion? What can a company make more differently than Cathay, and NOT hiring Chinese managers predominantly? And regarding the "zoologist", he graduated from Oxbridge as far as I know, and it is very common to study a wide range before specialising.In the end he had 23 years (twenty-three years) of experience in the airline industry
before becoming DFO. I am not saying he did a good job, but lack of experience or inferior education was surely not the problem. He was trained for decades by Swire for his career, he was an expert, that is a fact. And I say it again to make that absolutely clear, I am NOT saying he did a good job, i am just saying your argument is unfounded.By the way, a very common way to introduce creativity is by hiring people from other fields.
5) Contradictions
Maybe the most prominent concomitant of your text. You claim we need promotion from within but then also outside help, that does not make any sense. Also it it is absurd to think you would reduce profits of a company before selling it. Just a few points out of too many to quote.
6) Swire
Cathay has been owned by Swire for decades, but our problems are recent. You need to further support your claim, otherwise it makes no sense. See Mao.
7) Lack of accountability
I actually understand your critisism, it hurts to see a CEO getting a bonus and a nice golden hand shake when the company is suffering. I agree. BUT the company culture wasn't any different at better times. It
can't be the reason for our current problems. Plus you have to admit that every time has it's unique problems. Is Ivan maybe just a scape goat? Could that be possible? Do we really know who made what decision? In the end this injustice is probably impossible to overcome, managers will always get away, and that is that. Pointless argument.
8. The HIGH COST OF LIVING in Hong Kong is "really hurting CX". No ****. Ok, what is your point here? You think "basing" is a solution ( erh, we do have basings actually. Much more than any other airline as far as I know).But ok, fair point, it could be more cost effective. but then it could not. Do you have the numbers? Did you calculate all the legal risks, holidays, tax, social costes etc etc? We will see in a few months if expat pilots in HK will indeed continue to be more expensive ( thanks to you guys not signing the contract, but that is another topic). To "hundreds of pilots living with their parents": first of all this is a general problem of Hong Kong, not only CX pilots, secondly many I talked to do so to save money. They could rent their own place, but rather save for a mortgage.
Then you offer "automation" as another solution. I assume you are not talking about pilots, or do you? I challenge you to give specific examples for possible replacements of humans in Cathay. I want to know where and whom. If you cannot provide this information you do not have an argument, plain and simple. Plus as we speak layoffs are in the pipeline..
9. Ignoring "Industry standards".Well, which airline would you have in mind that has better standards toward their employees? I challenge you to find any among our
direct competitors. also, what exactly are "industry standards"? You are again very vague, it is impossible to argue and hence a pointless statement. You need to specify what you actually mean, and then you have to accept the fact that the 'industry standard" is exactly that, it is the
common practise, NOT the
ideal standard, I hope you see the crucial difference. An airline, any company, can only work within these ( lower and lower) standards unfortunately.
10.) Training
Training has been terrible at times the company excelled profit-wise, there is simply no (significant) correlation between the profitability of Cathay and it's training system. Yes, courses last a bit longer, albeit that has changed somewhat mind you, yes we had high failure rates, but they are quite ok at the moment actually. I will not defend the training system in general, not a big fan either, I am just saying it has nothing to do with the current crisis.
11) Power is more important than profits
Any specific example of your allegation? And, just for the sake of the argument, how do you know power is
not more important than profit in some cases ? Again,you generalise without providing any reasonable examples.
12)Lawlessness
Yes, there have been many law suits. But that is just part of the business. Can you prove Cathay is facing more lawsuits than others? If they do, what is the legal system in the respective country?
Can the employer sue the airline at all? Have a look elsewhere. People sue their employer all the time, then they get sued by customers, by tax authorities, about traffic rights,from the competition, they struggle with international law, bribery, etc etc. Ryan Air, the most valuable airline in Europe, is infamous for their bad relationship with their employees
andcustomers, United just had a nearly fatal
pr desaster and a subsequent settlement, dozens of cargo airlines have been fined, many airlines are facing strikes as we speak. Could the relationship be better with the employees? Yes, of course! But I challenge you to find a company that has a great time with their employees while facing a loss and layoffs, show me one please. And for CC, my opinion is well known. if it was for me, there would ne no CC, 5% payrise and another 3 years of housing plus major increase HKPA.
13) YOUR 13)
The conclusion is the most essential part of any essay, and it is no wonder you totally collapse trying to find any. Why does somebody commit suicide "because they can"? That does not answer anything, everybody can! So why only few do? Mind you, suicide is a willful act, are you suggesting there is such a will? Where? Why?
PS Cxorcist, if you read this you do care.