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As the former CEO of the highly successful Southwest Airlines, Howard led the development and implementation of the "vision" that has guided Southwest to revered heights. Southwest tripled in size and profitability during his tenure, and today is still a corporate model for organizations that place their people first.
As Chairman and CEO of the financially failing Braniff International, Howard became the first CEO to take a major airline through Chapter 11 successfully. The reorganization was accomplished so efficiently that Harvard University used it as a model and wrote "The Ethics of Bankruptcy," a case study for ethically leading an organization through turbulence. He has an MBA in Marketing and attended Harvard's Advanced Management Program. He is a founding faculty member of MentorU.com, a distance learning company of world-class business experts and the author of The Winds of Turbulence.
Presentation Topics
- Leadership - Successful Strategies Through Turbulence
Leaders must have a clear and concise vision if they want their organizations to survive and thrive through turbulence. A clear understanding of what business you are really in is critical. Cultures can then be developed to support the vision and business. Bottom line improvement comes through your people. Howard shares his principles of leadership and outlines key strategies to navigate turbulence successfully.
- Innovation - Creating a Culture and Process for Ideas to Emerge
Innovation occurs in organizations that embrace a culture for risk taking and idea implementation. Howard Putnam proved this philosophy works when he was CEO of Southwest Airlines. He positioned and organized Southwest for growth and profitability utilizing a very flat management structure with decision-making and idea development imbedded in everyone's job scope and responsibility. Individuals and teams were rewarded for risk taking and for designing out of the box processes and improvements in productivity, customer service, cost containment, safety and profitability. Brands develop when people thrive in the vision and experience.
- Change - Transforming Organizations Successfully & Profitably
Many organizations are out of alignment in the current turbulent environment. Their design is outdated with bureaucracy and a hierarchy that is expensive and inefficient. Howard Putnam will show you how to transform your business into a "flow state" organization that is focused, nimble, flexible, cost effective and able to utilize the "stages of turbulence" which he will identify for you to take advantage of being in a change state.
- People and Culture - Hiring Attitudes & Developing Their Skills
Successful organizations that are in business for the long term, place their people first if they want sustained bottom line improvement. Howard Putnam led the visioning process at Southwest Airlines in which a key element was the culture, putting their people first and matching attitudes with the culture. Happy employees and superior customer service resulted from this concept. He will share behind the scenes looks on how this was accomplished with great stories, humor and concrete ideas and suggestions.
- Ethics - The Ultimate Challenge in Ethics; Are You Really the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are?
Organizations cannot ignore the need for proactive efforts to ingrain honesty, integrity and trust at every level. Today's environment requires ethical leaders, if they want their businesses to survive and grow. Howard Putnam learned the values of trust and honesty as he grew up on an Iowa farm. He has embodied those principles in his successful business career. He took on the challenge of saving Braniff International only to find the "books had been cooked" prior to his arrival. He will share this character building experience of taking a major airline through Chapter 11 successfully and offer a flight plan for you to implement in your organization.
Testimonials
“First, thanks for the great job you did on our behalf. You are a true professional and I cannot begin to tell you how many great things I've heard regarding your keynote. The way you incorporated our executives’ names throughout the speech made it seem as though you are old friends. I wish all speakers took their responsibilities with as much dedication as you do. Again, thanks for all you did on our behalf. Our CEO mentioned it was the best Kick-off in company history. You are a major reason why.”
BMC Software, Inc.
"I want to personally thank you for your appearance at the Bank's Annual Planning Conference. The reviews are in and your presentation was rated as outstanding by the participants. The subject matter and your delivery really hit home with our leadership."
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
"I've always appreciated Howard’s honesty and ethical approach. He shows you pathways to resolve difficulties with many constituencies during good and difficult times."
Marriott Corporation
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