Topic: Southwest Airlines

1. Building core competencies and competitive capabilities is essential for organizational success. Discuss three ways to approach these elements, and explain how they have been applied by the management at Southwest Airlines.

2. Define and explain the Six Sigma process. How has or could Southwest Airlines put that process to work in support of their business strategies and objectives?

3.Gary C. Kelly, the present CEO of Southwest Airlines, established four key success factors (KSFs) for Southwest Airlines. Select whichever of those four KSFs you deem most important to Southwest Airlines' success. Fully justify your selection, and provide examples of that KSF in action.

4.Herb Kelleher was a strong proponent of the idea that the employee-not the customer-came first. Regarding his views, Kelleher stated:You have to treat your employees like your customers. When you treat them right, then they will treat your outside customers right. That has been a very powerful competitive weapon for us.

You've got to take the time to listen to people's ideas. If you just tell somebody no, that's an act of power and, in my opinion, an abuse of power. You don't want to constrain people in their thinking. Select and describe an instance and/or example from the case that illustrates Kelleher's statement. What do you find to be the most important impact on Southwest Airlines from such valuing of the employee?

5.Define the elements that, in combination, constitute a corporate culture. Which element do you think Southwest Airlines has used to its best advantage? Justify your selection and describe the way your selected element has contributed to the Southwest Airlines corporate culture.