The airline business is a brutal one. If you added up all the profits earned since the industry started, and subtracted the losses incurred during the same time period, the net profits would be a loss. Yet, consistently for the past 30 or so years, without fail, one player has made money, and had fun doing it: Southwest. www.Southwest.com
There is something to be learned from this well run organization. Many books have been written about this company, and many stories have been banded about on how the company got started and how it has grown.
Here are some of the key competitive advantages that Southwest has utilized to become a leader in an industry known for failures.
First, the right people are hired. One key to this is that the organization is not in a hurry to hire people. While the company has the same urgent need to fill positions as any employer, they want the individuals they hire to be the right ones. Southwest hires for the long term. The right people don’t get hung up on titles and job descriptions. People that work for Southwest do what it takes to get the job done. There is a culture of respect within the organization.
Employment
There is a culture of teamwork. There is a culture of fun. There is a culture of openness.
