Look for the Passion
With so many news stories about company Chief Executive Officers either being vastly overpaid or being crooks, it was refreshing to be able to recently spend a day with Clive Beddoe, CEO of WestJet Airlines. We were both on the judging panel of an international student business plan judging competition at Queen’s University. It is not everyday that someone this busy participates in such an event.
For over ten years now Clive has been instrumental in the development of a corporate culture that has made WestJet one of the most successful airlines in recent aviation history. When I inquired as to the main reason for this success it would have been easy for him to list a few of his many personal attributes. However it was all about his people – their loyalty, their innovation, their caring attitude. There was a day when more senior managers used to be in the “people business” but somewhere along the line they have lost sight of their most important asset.
The best part came that night when Clive spoke to all of the students with a passion that you don’t often see in public. When he became teary-eyed describing a turning moment in WestJet’s struggle for survival in earlier years I was hooked. Instead of running off to check a Blackberry he then mingled with the crowd for the remainder of the evening, a bundle of energy and eager to talk about his people. When you are doing your research (yes this is required) for a stock purchase, do yourself a big favour and look for the Clive Beddoes of the world.
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