Foran to head ANZ

[PoppaJo]

Ex Head of Woolworths/Bigw then Walmart Chief.

Air New Zealand has appointed the boss of retail giant Walmart's American business to replace Christopher Luxon in running the airline.

The carrier said Kiwi-raised executive Greg Foran would start early in 2020 following a five-year stint as CEO of Walmat US, which saw him run more than 4600 stores and manage more than a million staff members.

[topend3]

Does this mean you'll be able to buy a washing machine or a scooter on the onboard menu soon?

[Rated De]

Does this mean you'll be able to buy a washing machine or a scooter on the onboard menu soon?

Maybe also a socket set.


The industry needs more Rob Fyfe types but is populated with "executives" that think there is no difference between airlines and potatoes.

[Chris2303]

I wonder how long it will take until we see just one check in desk open per flight, with half the self check kiosks out of service at any one time

[27/09]

The industry needs more Rob Fyfe types but is populated with "executives" that think there is no difference between airlines and potatoes.

How true, sadly.

[Another Number]

Foran takeover, eh bro?

At least Walmart pay close to almost minimum wage!

[topend3]

https://youtu.be/fv7ubUlhglY

watch this if you wanna be sick lol

[Rated De]

So yes. He may be another 'potatoe' selling executive but boy does he know how to sell them. I get the feeling even Rob Fyfes 'stardust' qualities might pale in comparison to Forans business acumen and proven record. Getting customers into stores is what Foran did best. It's not hard to see those skills being transferred to getting customers into seats. In that respect, there really is no difference between potatoes and airlines.


It is not the selling of stuff that is the key insight an airline manager needs.
The key is that it is, and will always be, a dynamic team sport with very more moving parts than a retailing model.
The cost of retailing failure is lack of inventory and maybe spoiled goods: Inventory is not inventory. An airline is an inherently different risk outcome when things go wrong.

Not so sure that potatoes are like potato(e)s.

Rob Fyfe was not a man of the period, airlines need more of him.
They need more of the late Herb Kelleher.

Sincere people, embedded in their business with respect for those many folk who work it for them.

If he brings that, leaving the buzzwords, BS bingo rubbish and US style management hierarchy mentality at the border, then perhaps.
Or if he simply brings another retailer's mindset to an airline, then it is highly probable that the Rob Fyfe period was the high watermark.

As Jodi Gittell found when studying the difference between "low cost" airlines like SouthWest and Ryan Air, the difference in productivity comes down to how well people are treated. Rob Fyfe knew that.

[packapoo]

That multi-million earner from Fonterra who scuttled off back to Holland not too long back must've thought it too soon to have had a punt at this gig, esp now the Fonterra earnings figure has been disclosed.

Sorry, should have said the losses figure.......

[Roj approved]

It is not the selling of stuff that is the key insight an airline manager needs.

As Jodi Gittell found when studying the difference between "low cost" airlines like SouthWest and Ryan Air, the difference in productivity comes down to how well people are treated. Rob Fyfe knew that.

If only the current crop of CEO's understood this!!!

[PPRuNeUser0198]

Here is a video of him a year ago when interviewed by The Sunday program in New Zealand. Humble beginning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tg33gyESy4