The problem is the Wasta he has.... as I said, he's untouchable. Won't happen until HE wants it to.... and he genuinely thinks he's single-handedly saving the airline by all his antics.

K

I understand the reservations expressed, but I think there is reason for some hope now. (Assuming of course that Herr Mueller is indeed joining EK. I have heard that he will start on 1 Oct.) It is clear that he is not the type to tread water and will already be in no doubt about the size of the task ahead of him.


It is great to listen to him talking (in the video clip of his interview) about people. The cynics amongst us may question how much of that comes from his heart or from his head, but I do not think that really matters. Just the understanding that listening to your people is fundamental to a successful organisation would bring a huge change to EK. The views he expresses about people are diametrically opposed to the approach taken by STC and GC.


CM talks about the need for a burning platform, but the EK situation is unusual. The overwhelming majority of staff are fully aware of the fire - they are in it. The problem is with the few who have been overtly fuelling it and have protected themselves with asbestos shields. Breaking those shields open will take the stature and resilience of someone like Herr Mueller. I have two reasons for hope for everyone at EK . . .


First, although CM will need a lot of cash to beef up the core operation, it will not be difficult to find. As long as a surgeon (not a butcher) is employed, most office based support functions in the EK Group are ripe for enormous efficiency gains without the need to reduce service levels. The (cost saving) industry standard is to initially take out 20% of costs in support areas. In my experience the impact of this (seemingly savage) cut, as long as it is done without fear or favour, initiates the necessary revolution. If the correct 20% of cost is removed, the picture becomes clear to everyone – waste creates waste. For example, identify an unnecessary layer of management and remove it, and everyone soon realises how little value it added to the business and how much work it itself created. So a 20% reduction becomes just the start. Key to success for the ‘surgeon’ in EK will be for all Group Service functions to be placed into one dedicated organisation and no longer be cluttered up with genuine business functions that can continue to bring useful revenue into the Group. The ‘surgeon’ should be someone who genuinely believes in people, efficiency and providing value to customers and, perhaps most importantly, should not be incentivised for meeting financial targets. This last requirement would also help with the appointment process – a ‘butcher’ would not take the job on without a cash prize (and escape route) waiting for him/her at the end of the maelstrom.


Secondly, I agree with the points raised about managers ‘keeping their heads down until retirement’ and I am certain many managers will have squirmed whilst hearing Herr Mueller constantly referring to ‘the truth’ and talking about a 4 a.m. visit ‘to the baggage room’. But there are also good managers in EK. Many have stayed well below the parapet over the years - some by force, some by personal choice – but hopefully these managers will recognise that this will be the right (and last?) opportunity to stand up and be counted. Certainly Herr Mueller will want to count them in. Up until now, anyone who tried to change things at EK ended up . . .


locked out.

Much like "The Donald" thinks he's saving 'Merica. Both are delusional.

AAR is playing the music while his ship is sinking!
Sheikh Mo called Mueller to fix the problem but doesn't realise that his buddy AAR is the problem, so looks like a fix from outside is expected.
Hope everybody can evacuate as quickly as 521 before it's too late.

Is STC asleep during all of this, or does he simply not care anymore?

If an unmovable mid level player is in the way, they can easily be promoted out. Increased pay and a bigger title to a sideline task is an easy fix, and while it may cost a small amount in extra pay and perks, it's cheaper than the damage of having someone in an unsuitable position or any legal action from a badly received demotion or sacking. It happens all the time in the political and state sectors (health, education, civil service, military, etc) in the West.

"Promoveatur ut Amoveatur"
The Romans invented the procedure 2000 years ago..

Good to know there is someone else at EK who shares Latin O-Level success with myself from the early 1980s!

Wasta wins EVERY time fellas!

K

I would say lets just wait in see .

He is here and was seen yesterday in the Training college on a tour led by MM....

Let the show begin

I think the whole Aussie Staff base should be worried!
The return for the dollar is just not there with the high cost base!
No reason to have any EK staff if DNATA runs the handling at the stations.
I would be worried if I was in this category.

Glofish, in actual Islam you arent allowed to let corruption flourish nor give preference to people you know for promotions or jobs, merit and honesty rules and you have to listen to the boss if he is an honest person be he non-Muslim.

ChocksOn
 

Why would l be worried (As an Oztranought)?

halas

AAR has to go
 

We all know the people that are the root of all the misery and mismanagement- AAR being fairly high on that ladder- the big question is , does Mueller have the go- ahead to remove these people.... I am afraid that Wasta will truly destroy this airline.

Everyone but AAR

Tragically AAR can never be 'removed' from the Company however hopefully CM will be given enough freedom to 'promote' him out of our way.
Then and only then we may start to see an improvement in things over time - too late for me though. Started the stopwatch and making plans.

Again:::

Wasta vs Mueller = Wasta victory!

Sad but true.

EK is / was the Golden Goose, there is much concern that the "eggs" are getting smaller and the Goose is slowly bleeding to death. I am not sure how far the bonds of loyalty stretch, mutual destruction is a high price to pay for someone who isn't family.

I'm starting to think that doesn't matter anymore. When the future success of Dubai and its direct relationship with EK are against the ropes, wait and see that no one is immune

Does anyone feel it's like the titanic ? worlds best , newest , never sink!

No crew told Capt Edward John Smith for three years..."er, ehm..Skip, do you see that piece of ice?"

There is none so deaf as he who will not listen....

It's official; the Dude is coming according to Uncle Tim.

Well now we see where he fits in the ladder and who he is reporting to. May lead to some speculation about who hired him and who may be immune.


J

If the people/person we all know to be causing the problem is immune then really this is just rearranging deckchairs on a rapidly sinking ship.

Wasta..... wins every time

By the way, Noticed a new law in the UAE: Bankruptcies now allowed!! Quite telling don't you think....?

K

Not sure how you can connect the two Kap.

EK = Government = above the law.

halas

Well... that's kinda the point perhaps you missed, halas

K

Particularly prescient quote from STC:

"...We need to constantly improve how we interact with customers, partners, and suppliers..."

Okay Tim....and the employees?

Exactly. It was the first thing my wife mentioned. Same old, same old.

The MOST valuable asset of any company are the employees. Happy employees will make use of the tools given to them by the company to make happy customers. Unhappy employees, no matter how much bling and shine is put on hardware, will not make happy customers.

Anyone ever heard of "Root cause, analysis", it appears not?

Good day,

J

With this ludicrous title for CM:

veni, vidi, abdixi :ugh::ugh:

SSDD... What a joke. Do they really think we don't see the smoke and mirrors?

Just another game of laying blame...CM should only answer to HH and no one else as the problems are just below that level.

Another BS attempt at appointing blame.

Maybe they'll sack a few pilots...that'll fix it.

As pointed out above...unhappy employees=failing company.

Quite surprising he would have signed on at that level...he may not get the latitude he needs to effect positive change. I suppose time will tell!

But does anyone really care anymore?

Wasn't he meant to be Chief Transformation Officer? I think he has been hobbled before he starts.

innovation or transformation probably means the same in this case since he has head of innovation and transformation reporting to him

I believe he will only report to the sheikh. You cannot put someone ahead of STC. How would that look to all the staff. This way he can make changes and Tim can casually retire when the changes are enforced by HH. Just my thought process. Saves a lot of embarrassment to a lot of high ranking people.

At least he is above AAR. Time will tell.