Focus on Boeing and the State of Arizona Manufacturing is responsible for a great deal of pollution in our environment, extending as far back as the 1700s. Anyone reading this article can probably easily recall pictures from grade-school history books depicting the early American factories of the industrial revolution: Smokey, dirty, and dangerous.  The effects of these historic factories on the environment and those of the following centuries have created a negative stereotype that manufacturing [...]

There is no doubt manufacturing is experiencing a rebirth across the United States, and there are a myriad of real estate choices readily available for manufacturers.  Moreover, the rapid advances in aerospace and transportation allude that future transport will surpass all expectations, thus greatly expanding real estate choices (possibly short-term choices) for manufacturers.  Given these dynamic considerations, manufacturing leaders’ real estate decisions are vital for success. Where are these manufacturing leaders that are empowering the [...]

In looking at organizations, there have been many terms over the years to describe their behaviors. One such term is known as institutional isomorphism. Though this seems like a big term, if we all sit back and consider what it actually is, we will find it is something we have all experienced or can describe using different terms or ideas. Developed by DiMaggio and Powell (1983), institutional isomorphism seeks to improve and take on unique [...]

Watching the local news or reading the most recent reports on the state of manufacturing, one would wrongly assume heroes of innovation, such as The Wright Brothers, Robert Goddard, Henry Ford, and Steve Jobs are just part of manufacturing history.  That somehow leaders and visionaries of manufacturing are things of the past. Yet clearing away the negative veil, there is an underlying beauty growing beneath.  Visionaries of today exist and are sharing their light through [...]

Dealing with and leading change is possibly one of the most challenging tasks a leader faces.  The leadership of change is made difficult because organizations have developed a culture to eliminate variation; to standardize processes— to resist the forces of change that tend to disrupt processes and create new and different ones.  If history of change is the judge, most organizations fail to change when they should, and those who do try, most also fail [...]

Dr. Daryl Watkins and I recently spent a few days in Mumbai, India with executives from the Indian Aviation community. Various airlines, airports and other related entities were represented in a seminar where we spent three days discussing the Indian aviation environment and ways of understanding the many environmental as well as internal forces these people are dealing with as the Indian aviation industry grows. One must understand that up until a few years ago, [...]

From the title and the timing of this column, you may have thought this column will be about the presidential election, state of the economy, or some other rant about our country’s future. But it’s not – I’ve learned long ago not to discuss politics with colleagues, friends, or even enemies! But in a way I am talking about our country’s future, because if we don’t think long-term within our organizations, we won’t have well-functioning, [...]

“Why the specific focus on aviation and aerospace leadership?”  Behind this often asked question lurks (or seems to) a notion the leadership is, well, simply leadership.  So why emphasize aviation and aerospace leadership when some suggest the practice of leadership is essentially the same for all disciplines/professions? These are really good questions, and are at the heart of our Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership (CAAL).   The response is somewhat complex (multi-part).  First, being a [...]

Do you manage people? If so, do you give regular performance feedback to your employees?  Performance reviews are fundamental to good leadership and organizational improvement. If your employees receive feedback now, they will have time to make use of it and improve their performance.  If, on the other hand, they find out in December that you think they need to improve upon something, they won’t have the chance for development and improvement. Communicate with your [...]

How many of you have played an instrument in a band or an orchestra? Perhaps this was as a child. Do you remember those rare times when everything came together and suddenly your section (in my case it was the trombones) became part of the greater whole, and the music was suddenly coming from the entire orchestra instead of simply a collection of sections defined by the instruments played? How about NASCAR fans who watch [...]