Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming November 2017 40 Keen observations T he recent news that Irish low-cost airline Ryanair had cancelled many of its flights was disheartening to say the least. More than 2,000 cancelations were announced in September, with another 18,000 flight to be canceled through March 2018. Compensation to passengers was a measly £40 voucher. I’m sure the vouchers were not received well either as a way of offering an apology or as a sincere gesture to manage relationships and prompt customer loyalty. As anyone with half a brain would ask, where on earth did these senior executives study human relations and operations management? Despite recent peace offerings to pilots, it’s hardly compensation for all the disappointed passengers and airline staff. One suspects that considerable turnover will occur shortly given the present morale of both cockpit and cabin staff. The public assertion that the company was run like a North Korean communist regime is hardly a confidence vote to recommend Ryanair as a candidate for best run company this year. Contrastingly, on the other side of the world China’s first budget carrier, Spring Airlines, is now growing nicely in line with China’s expanding consumer market, with consecutive growth numbers for the past five years in both revenues and earnings. The company is now expanding into hospitality across Asia with an eye on South Korea and Thailand. The company’s focus has been to concentrate In search of growth strategies – lessons from Asia – Dr Brian To takes a look at the contrasting fortunes of the world’s low budget airlines, with Asian enterprises such as Spring Airlines leading the way when it comes to positive expansion strategies. Professor Dr Brian To is a global strategist and senior practice professor with over six advanced degrees in business, management, policy, Chinese business and managing change. He consults to several Asian governments and militaries, Fortune 500 corporations and ultra-high net worth individuals and their family-owned businesses in Asia and North America. Brian presently coaches several country leaders, corporate CEOs and entrepreneurs focused on personal and professional effectiveness and revenue expansion strategies. He can be contacted at bto@post.harvard.edu By Professor Dr Brian To