A good manager prioritises.

The fact that Air NZ calls its people "Air New Zealanders" (in the same way that Lufthansa people are "Lufthanseaten") is a dead giveaway: in situations like this, the CEO is where he's needed most and that's with his people.

I thought the "looking out to sea" pose was mildly OTT, but that's the only thing to fault in the whole performance, including that of Ed Simms.

And - from someone who's done it - if you haven't set up your organisation to run efficiently in your absence, you're a bad manager.

I'm stumped. Who are you referring to ZQ146?


Looks like he pulled his post.

I was there on the beach with him when the "beach pose" photo's were taken, and I definitely don't think it was over the top. It was a very emotional and humble experience that I shall never forget.

NZ1

Hi ampan
 

Hi Mate, great to hear from you.
Thanks for contributing to this post....your thoughts are always welcome.
On behalf of everyone here....You are a complete tool.
No, sorry, perhaps that was a bit strong.
Your opinion is worth about the same as the contents of your last poopy paper, you snotty nosed little S!#T.
How about we back up the guys that are in charge, when the S*%T hits the fan. I can't imagine it's good fun. I don't see tampam putting her/his hand up.
I think this guy Rob, did an amazing job, under the circumstances.
Tampan, are you one of these "wash-up pilots" who thinks he/she can run the company better than the management? (seen it all before...) Or are you a fresh Uni graduate who backs him/herself to take the reins one day and make a difference. Time to put all that valuable book work to good use. Theory vs Practical. You be the judge.
Should have stayed at his desk aye......
There are several people qualified for such an occasion. They take charge if the CEO has to "leave the building"
ampan...why try and turn this into a CEO bashing, whilst we could focus our energy towards the families of the missing.
Sort it out Tampan
Merry Everything

Gangbusters, dont worry about him mate, there is one in every woodpile. And they love to get under your skin. Kiwis are lucky to have such a good boss, dont think QF has had one since Menidue, must be due for one soon.

The Fyfe Report
 

Everyone still happy?

Yep........

except the zeal 320 crew!

Maybe you should get off the island a bit more often. I have not read so much dribble for a while.

I think he did a great job under the circumstances. The CEO position is as much PR as it is overall management. You would be the first to bitch if he had kept in the background and said very little.

"North & South" Magazine
 

billyt: This ponce is, and has been, dining out on the incident.

He has done really well. He would have probely been as shocked as the familes were but he handled himself and did everything for everyone involved he could in a manner that should be admired Well done Rob

Ampan who are you referring to as the "ponce"? I don't read the North & South magazine.

"ponce" = Fyfe

It must be lonely where you are standing. I just hope you don't work for AirNZ.

Recent news...

Rob Fyfe voted PRINZ Communicator of the Year for 2008


Air New Zealand CEO, Rob Fyfe has been voted Communicator of the Year for 2008 by the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.


When making nominations for the PRINZ Communicator of the Year, the questions were "who do you think championed our profession well in the last 12 months" and "who was an excellent communicator and protected or enhanced their organisation's reputation throughout 2008?"

A quote from the nominations received for Fyfe include, "Leading Air New Zealand wasn't ever going to be easy, a fact Rob Fyfe was well aware of when he took the role in 2005. During his tenure Fyfe has faced a host of issues to test his communication skills and leadership, and no more so than in the past twelve months.

As a standout leader in the difficult current economic climate Fyfe has also launched a number of highly successful initiatives including the innovative 'grab-a-seat' and new domestic services. He is consistently rising to the challenge of reassuring customers, shareholders and staff. Air New Zealand is holding firm in a tough economic climate under an inspirational communicator - Rob Fyfe."

Another nomination stated, "For his grace, honesty, empathy, team leadership and plain good manners under extreme pressure; and for making us proud that there's at least one Chief Executive of one of our international companies who is so capable."

Fyfe received over 60% of the vote.

Previous PRINZ Communicator of the Year recipients are Pita Sharples, Alan Duff, Dame Cath Tizard, Bruce Slane and the late Sir Peter Blake.

Unfortunately Rob Fyfe will not be in the country to speak at the PRINZ Conference on 20 May. A world leading PR practitioner will present the key note address direct from Washington DC.

Glad to see it's disintegrated into a puerile slanging match - well done.

As for an effective communicator, this a guy who did not say 'Laid off' when retrenching people in a press statement, but that positions 'had been disestablished'.

whoever the invisible council of the College of Fellows are that are making nominations for the PRINZ Communicator, it's obviously the same inbred group of back slapping self congratulatory plonkers who write their self promoting saccharine copy

...Unfortunately Rob Fyfe will not be in the country to speak at the PRINZ Conference LOL

I stopped reading 'Rob's Blog' when it turned into 'Perpignan Propaganda'. Now the blog is turning into a hate campaign against Airbus Flight Attendants. Fyfe should be apologising to them for the company's disgraceful behaviour and collecting scalps from middle managers involved.

Fyfe's done some very good things for the airline, as did Norris, but the airline now needs clear plans for growth and some aggression in the marketplace.

Yellow rocket - do you have a link to 'Rob's Blog', or the location.?

さようなら, Toshirosan

Fyfe is a good boss, so was Ralph Norris. I've worked for lots and some of them were the worst scumbags imaginable. I'm referring to the Brierley era here.
In general I would say Fyfe is doing a great job and when I read the posts from time to time about life in QF and other airlines I'm grateful. I have a couple of mates in Europe and life's been hell after being laid off.
Nothing's perfect but NZ is profitable, efficient and Fyfe has the support of an overwhelming number of the staff. It's notable that the airline crashed under Brierley's but has thrived since Norris took over and treated the staff like human beings.The 1990's style of management was to attract the grovellers and would-bes-if-they-could-bes, the masters of the Employment Contracts Act. It had nothing to do with ability or intelligence. They've long since been given the arse, as soon as Norris took over, they know who they are. The big noters of the divide and rule era.
The unfortunate part was that many decent employees left ANZ because of the way they were victimised by the '90's management.
Any CEO will have his or her detractors but I give Fyfe 9 out of 10.

The managers I associate with these days have respect are generally well liked. I certainly don't mind going the extra mile for them.
I'm not management either.