A Very Nice Comparison.

[daveg]

Lessons from the Obama campaign

November 14, 2008 - Globe and Mail
Strategy and Tactics - Mark Healy

Disclaimer: I am not a WestJet or Southwest Airlines owner, employee or investor. Neither is a client (yet). I am not trying to fluff their stocks. Nor am I a Barack Obama staffer or influencer. I am not part of his transition team. He is not a client (yet). The ramblings and tangents below are mine alone and may not reflect the views of my editor (yet).

I'm sitting on a WestJet plane currently affixed firmly to a tarmac in the Maritimes. Not a big fan of flying in general. I'm 6'3", fidgety at the best of times, like to talk with my hands, generally impatient. Not exactly engineered for commercial air travel. And we're running a few minutes behind schedule, yet I'm not (a) freaking, nor (b ) incensed. I'm very conscious of the absence of irritation. Fascinated by it. Why am I not in a foul mood?

WestJet is one of the more over-studied companies in Canada, so you likely won't be shocked by any of the following. Check-in was a breeze — the cheery desk representative made it seem like it was no big deal I was flying tonight. I had anticipated this so my stress level was reduced before I checked in, and my thoughts were reaffirmed after I walked toward security: "no big deal." On the plane itself, all the flight attendants are pleasant, relaxed and either help or get out of the way. I had also anticipated this so I my hackles were not up, pre-board. And now I sit here, relatively calm. In other words they had convinced me ahead of time, through brand promises made and delivered, by great people, based on a different strategy, that everything is cool when you fly WestJet.

Barack Obama may never have flown WestJet, but I bet he's flown Southwest, which is more-or-less the same model. Fantastic service. Relentless about hammering an upbeat, low cost message. Fly point-to-point, not hub-and-spoke, and price well below competitors. Genius when it was conceived. Still compelling and relevant today. There are incredible parallels between this model and the winning campaign Obama just ran on his way to the Presidency. And there are very pointed lessons for SMB owner operators to be learned from both the aforementioned airlines and from Obama's campaign.

Surround yourself with a good, smart team. In that order.

WestJet and Southwest are very careful about who they add to their teams. The folks that you and I see visibly executing company strategy and representing the brand are check-in reps and flight attendants. They are really good people — you can just tell. And the executives and employees behind the scenes are really smart, as demonstrated by consistent financial performance and awards won by each organization.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... lBusiness/

[Airband]

Neither is a client (yet).

'nuff said.


.

[E-Flyer]

Neither is a client (yet).

'nuff said.


.

But he most likely will be.

[daveg]

Along with airbands other pax as well. Ya just gotta love jealousy.