Archive for the ‘seth godin’ Category:
The Weakest Link Is A State Of Mind
Technology is encroaching on every aspect of our lives and aviation is no exception. But, technology is only as strong as the weakest link in the value chain. In aviation, however, the weakest link also happens to be the smartest and most numerous link.
Technological advances in commercial aviation increase airline margins, but technological advances in public information technology decrease airline margins.
The airlines use data technologies to pack routes tighter in order to maximize their profitability. On the other hand, the Online Travel Agent (OTA) use data technologies to drive prices downward. Lower prices minimize airline profitability – this forces more packing of airplanes.
This leaves the traveler holding the red tape with the elimination of routes, erosion of service, crowded flights, and the emergence of added fees, etc. What happens when the traveler “link” snaps?
When the weakest link breaks, new ones form. From Seth Godin
The magic of our new form of communication is that it’s no longer one-way. If you consume an app, you can write one. If you can read a blog, you can publish one. If you can grab an ebook, you can produce one.
The center has nothing to do with geography any longer. The center is a state of mind.
Aikido Air Service
Aikido is a martial art which uses the principle of non-resistance, moving with the direction of the opponent’s force and redirecting the attack until it is no longer a threat. Likewise, markets flow in the direction of information. Wherever there is an “information conflict”, the opening of new information channels can redirect the market to new innovation instead of continued conflict.
The same NextGen technology also makes it easier for smaller airports to have efficient air traffic control, this will reduce the cost of point-to-point travel. The same OTA technology can effectively list smaller aircraft flying point to point as well as ground transportation and hospitality.
The weakest link also happens to a “state of mind”
The next generation online travel agent may publish all aircraft data and ground transportation in a comparable pricing structure so that information can flow in new directions. The technology of the weakest link simply turns them into strengths by using the opposing forces against themselves.
Social media technology is becoming the dominant marketing tool for on ground events and services and Social Flights is leading that charge. These technologies will change the calculus that the airlines and operators use to optimize aircraft. That is how the circle will be reversed.