Business Essays - Classic Airlines Company - Free Essay Example

Classic Airlines Company Problem Solution: Classic Airlines Classic Airlines (Classic), an image and service based company, is the fifth largest airline in the world serving 240 cities with more than 375 jets. Although the airline is profitable, its stock prices have decreased by 10% and which has resulted in low employee moral and motivation due to increased scrutiny by Wall Street and the media (University of Phoenix, 2008). In 2005, the company experienced a 9% decrease in Classic Rewards Members and a 21% decrease in the number of member flights, which has created concerns over customer loyalty and the future of the company (University of Phoenix, 2008). In addition to the decrease in reward members and low employee moral, the airline is now faced with a restrictive post-September 11th cost restructure; a 15% across-the-board cost reduction mandated by the Board of Directors (BOD) for the next 18 months (University of Phoenix, 2008). The mandate states Classic must find ways to improve its frequent flier program that will ensure a measurable return on investment (ROI) while still meeting the cost reduction goals (University of Phoenix, 2008). By taking the time to listen to its customers, Classic will be more in tune with their wants and be able to implement the service elements and marketing programs needed to retain existing customers and attract new ones. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification Classic Airlines currently faces various issues. The first issue is the decline in customer confidence and loyalty has resulted in a 19% decrease in the number of reward members and a 21% decrease in flights per remaining members. There are numerous opportunities available to solve this issue. First, Classic can perform an environmental analysis, using the SLEPT or PESTLE model (Freiwald, 2007, p. 1-2), which will allow the company to identify internal and external forces that can have an affect on the organization and airline industry as a whole. Using these models, the company can conduct effective surveys on the phone and on-line enabling them to become the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“voice of the customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Freiwald, 2007, p. 1) turning attention to their needs and revising its current CRM system to fit a marketing strategy appropriate for accomplishing the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s goals and objectives. Not only will this show the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s customer focu s efforts, but also could prove to be profitable by helping to maintain and increase the customer base. This issue also represents the airline with an opportunity to redevelop its Classic Rewards Program. Classic could benchmark other companies, such as other airlines, grocery stores, and automobile clubs to compare the success of their customer reward programs or memberships that seem to be successful. This measure could also present Classic the opportunity to form an alliance with another airline carrier. Teaming up with another airline could not only increase the frequent flyer mile purchase and create partnership opportunities, but it would give the customers more options in turn making the airlineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s frequent flyer program more rewarding, creating value add. Thirdly, the airline could collaborate with a credit card company to offer extra reward points or flyer miles to customers every time they use that particular credit card when purchasing tickets. Th e second issue is that rising fuel and labor cost have caused the airline to be unable to compete with younger airlines for frequent flyers. This issue has resulted in the BODà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mandate of a 15% across-the-board cost reduction over the next 18 months. With the rise in these operational costs, the airline must come up with a way to enhance its fuel efficiency. Currently, the airline has a fuel-hedging system in place where they lock in fuel prices for the next year. This measure has allowed them to reduce fuel costs by 12%. This system seems to be working thus far, however it is only successful if there is not a need to spend money towards marketing. With many of the suggestions mentioned, choosing not to implement a marketing plan is not an option; therefore, the airline needs to consider having a backup plan. If Classic does not want to raise prices to compensate for the fuel increase, perhaps the airline should consider benchmarking other airlines and the measu res they have taken to reduce fuel and labor costs. The third issue revolves around the drop in employee moral, which is due to the scrutiny from the media concerning the airlines decrease in stock price and customers (University of Phoenix, 2008). In order to improve the motivation levels of the employees, Classic could look at implementing an employee rewards or incentive program that promotes teamwork and boosts moral. This program can focus on the individual goals of the employee and his or her ideas, which could be implemented to improve departmental practices and processes, possibly reducing costs. The company can also involve the employees in the beginning phases of creating a program to find out what motivates them. This system can encourage them to go above and beyond their assigned job duties. Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas The stakeholders involved in the Classic Airline scenario consist of the stockholders, management, employees, the union, and its customers. These stakeholders should be considered since they each are affected by the success or failure of the company. Often times the different stakeholder groups will disagree with one another, which makes it a challenge to concentrate on reconciling any issues that may arise. The stakeholders of Classic Airlines may possess the following perspectives: The stockholders are interested in finding ways to increase the stock price of the company. Turning attention to focus on the customer can possibly help increase customer confidence and possibly help raise the stock price as the customer base and profit margin grows. In order for this to happen, the company will need to change its marketing strategy and incorporate the target or segmenting style (Kerin, Hartley, Berkowitz, Rudelius, 2006). The management team wants the company to succeed in its endeavors and remain a major player in the airline industry; however, they want minimal associated costs while trying to remain profitable. The employees want to be able to work without all the negativity from the media. All the negativity could cause employees to leave their jobs or even cause the union to call a strike for those employees they protect. Perhaps the employees who work with the CRM system could use a little more training or better yet, be involved in meetings to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the system since they deal with the customers daily. The union has a duty and responsibility to have the employeesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ best interest at heart. It must protect the benefits, salaries, jobs, and rights of the employees. With all of the problems Classic Airlines is facing, the union feels the company will be unable to meet current or future obligations made to the employees. The customers want a renewed confidence that airline is there to provide a service pleasing and acceptable to them; however the current CRM system used by the company does not seem to be working in their favor. Although Classic is having money problems, the customers still want to receive the best deals for their money without incurring extra costs. The airports, surrounding communities, and local businesses rely on and benefit from the presence of Classic Airlines. If the airline decided to close or layoff employees, hundreds of jobs would be lost. The local businesses stand to lose customers, which they may already be experiencing since the airline is seeing a decrease in flights, and reward members. With every stakeholder involved, conflicts will be ever present. Management will have to be proactive in finding ways to balance the needs of the business and staying committed to the employees and customers or the business will not be successful. The stockholders, although focused on making a profit, will have to determine, along with management, what is really best for the company as related to its goals and objectives along with solutions to get the stock prices to increase. The union will have to work along with the airline to determine how the company can continue to meet its obligations to the employees, and prevent things such as strikes or walk-offs from occurring. This must be accomplished by the company while continuing to provide excellent service to its customers. Frame the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Rightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Problem Classic Airlinesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ future rests on their ability to focus on their existing problems and the opportunities available to them. In order to increase profits and sales, they must incorporate a new and improved CRM system and use it successfully to pinpoint customer desires. The new CRM system will enable Classic to look at different avenues that can add value to its existing customer rewards program. The company must deliver the services desired by the customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s or continue losing market share in the airline industry. Within eight months, Classic Airlines should have a strategy in place to address the above items. Classic must also recognize the needs of the employees since they counteract with the customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s daily and deal with the bulk of the customer complaints. The company will look to implementing some sort of rewards program to help boost employee moral and motivation within the next six-eight months. To deal with the inflati on of gas and labor, Classic immediately prepare bi-weekly lost horse forecasts to successfully have a working budget within six months to determine the best alternative to free up resources without passing on extra expenses to customers. Describe the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“End-Stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Vision Classic Airlines will focus on several goals that will support the goals and objectives of the company, employees, and customers. The goals will aid Classic in retaining and gaining customers, boosting employee moral, and become more profitable for its stockholders while remaining reasonably priced for the customers. Classic Airlines will do whatever necessary to (a) provide unsurpassed customer service, (b) increase its reward program customers, (c) reduce operational costs, (d) improve employee moral, and (e) increase profits and stock price. Identify the Alternatives and Benchmarking Validation After identifying some of the issues faced by Classic Airlines, there are several alternative solutions available to the company. The first alternative is for Classic to redevelop its Classic Rewards Program by adding additional benefits focused on the needs of its many customers, which includes collaborating with another airline. A company that Classic can benchmark is AAA Auto Club South (ACS). ACSà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s membership offers over 20 different services and benefits to its customers, which road service, travel, insurance, automotive, and financial services (AAA Auto Club South, 2008a). With the AAA membership, customers can save on many expenses such as dining, restaurants, attractions, car rentals, shopping venues, and hotels. ACS members can also save money when purchasing a new or used car through the Car Buying program, which includes various dealerships that offer low, no haggle pricing (AAA Auto Club South, 2008b). Members can also receive discounts on auto repai rs by visiting any AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.