6 DQ 1 Impact of SWA move to La Guardia- business functions
Return to HBS case reprint, \”Southwest Airlines: In a Different World.\” The case study makes it clear that a significant shift in organizational strategy requires collaboration across multiple departments, or functions, within a business. Review the case and discuss how you think Southwest\’s plan to serve La Guardia would impact two primary business functions (e.g., marketing, operations, human resources, finance, accounting, and IT). Consider how coordinating efforts of the two functions to successfully serve La Guardia might affect management and decision making. How integral is collaboration among business functions to the success of Southwest\’s plan? Cite specifics from the case in your response.
Human Resources:
In some businesses, there is a deliberate attempt to attract and retain the high performers or superstars. Southwest doesn’t even attempt to recruit the elite. Instead, preference when hiring is given to new people who will be able to integrate smoothly with other members on a team. There is a deliberate attempt to find people with the right attitudes first, and then provide them with the skills and experience they will need to excel. Interestingly and uniquely, Southwest’s hiring priorities extend not just to the customer service people but also to mechanics and pilots, two groups of people who are usually hired solely for their technical skills.
