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| Lecture by Mr.Paul Sands,
September 2008 |
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On the evening of September 4th, an audience of more than 60 persons
attended a talk by Mr. Paul Sands, the General Manager of Virgin Atlantic in Japan, at the
Japan National Press Club.
In the early 1980s, Richard Branson, then the young head of a key record label, Virgin
Records, had the sudden insight to introduce three jumbo jets on the Atlantic Route, which
was the beginning of Virgin Atlantic. The company has grown into a unique airline with
routes on all the majorcontinents.
The source of this growth is shown in Branson's clear and positive management style of
treating all employees well. "To grow a profitable airline that people love to fly
with and where people want to work" is his company's mission statement. The company
now has six exclusively assigned staff for internal communication to ensure all employees
around the world to share "one value as the company DNA." All these efforts have
crystallized in developing revolutionary service of high value-added, and in achieving a
basis of stable management. Xamples of Virgin's superior service include "Upper
Class," a business class that equals the comfort of First Class, introduction of a
"Premium Economy" service for business travelers years before other airlines,
and provision of a spacious airport lounge "Clubhouse" at Heathrow Airport which
has shower rooms and even a barber shop.Mr. Sands disclosed that efforts are already being
made to lessen the impact by active fuel trading and by joining forces with other major
world enterprises in the development of a new, future-looking biofuel from an ingredient
that does not affect the world market.The fact that this passionate company strives even
in this adverse business climate with the five value keywords, Caring, Honest, Fun, Value,
and Innovative, touched the audience's hearts. A lively Q&A session concluded the hour
and a half talk. |
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