Ob group project

Managing Up, Down, and

Across: Atlas Air Worldwide

HoldingsAnthony Biraglia, Laura Brodigan,

Steven Ciardiello, Yvette Gong, Paul Haskins, Ellen

McCarthy

http://www.atlasair.com/holdings/media-center.html

A little about about managing up, down, and across…

Managing Up

Many see it as brown-nosing or sucking up

These views are mistaken

Forging effective relationships with your superiors

Can help one be seen as an asset to the company

Can lead to promotions and overall success

Makes the boss happy, creates efficient working environment

Paying attention to his or her personality or preferences and adapting one’s work practices accordingly

http://www.sodahead.com/fun/r-u-a-buzzard-bat-or-bee---look-up/blog-87625/?link=ibaf&q=look+up&imgurl=http://www.meetschmitt.com/images/highres/Schmitt_Look_Up_HiRes.jpg

Managing Up - Pay Attention to Personality

Some people are more analytical and technical managers

These people respond better when their employees use data and numbers to support the information and proposals they present

Some are more people oriented

May respond better to framing information based on how it will help or hurt the customers

http://personality.prosperyourmind.com

Managing Up - Communication

Good communication important for success in any company

Written vs. verbal

If both in what order

Frequency of communication

Amount of details desired

How do you find out what boss prefers?

Look at the way he/she communicate with youhttp://www.tenantscreeningblog.com/landlord-tips/tips-for-improving-landlord-tenant-communication/

Managing Up - Ideal working attitude

Provide solutions not problems

Be honest trustworthy and committed

Go above and beyond your job description to solve problems

Makes manager’s job easier

Careful to do this without neglecting original responsibilities

Managing Down

Managing down influences employee health and well-being as well as individual, group, and organizational performance

Policy leaders should emphasize, train people in, and evaluate good management practices within organizations

Employee involvement influences the manner of all other organizational practices

Managing Down ResearchThere are clear links between

organizational culture and performance

organizational culture and management

management and performance

management and psychological consequences

psychological consequences and employee behavior

http://getentrepreneurial.com/archives/top-10-tips-for-managing-down/

Managing Across

Establish peer network – alliances

Social capital

Trust

Team cohesion

Task interdependence

Power & Influence

Referent power

Soft influence tactics

http://www.esxinc.com/esx/membership-management-software.asp

Managing Across Research

"People mostly go wrong by establishing a good relationship only with their bosses and ignoring peers and juniors. In a volatile business environment, all three are equally critical”

S.Y. Siddiqui, Managing Executive Officer for administration, in charge of human resources, finance and information technology of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

http://www.thehumanfactor.in/01102010/storyd.asp?sid=900&pageno=1

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/establishing-a-rapport-with-boss/1/11550.html

Managing Across Research

Organization is made up of teams

Shared goals

Work together

Keep emotions at bay

“Coexist amidst healthy competition.”

Ashu Khanna, Executive coach

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/establishing-a-rapport-with-boss/1/11550.html


Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings

Aviation Leasing Holding Company

Composed of:

Atlas Air, Inc.

Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc.

Titan Aviation Leasing Ltd.

Global Supply Systems (49% stake)


Atlas Air, Inc.

Wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings

Founded in 1993 by Michael Chowdry

Began operations the same year on an ACMI contract basis

http://centralfloridapacs.org/michaelchowdry.html

Atlas Air, Inc.

In 1998, Atlas Air ordered 12 new 747-400 freighter aircraft

By 2000, the fleet held 36 aircraft

Adopted holding company format in 2001 in order to acquire Polar Air Cargo Worldwide


Atlas Air, Inc.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW) began trading on the NASDAQ in 2006

Currently the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747 aircraft

Currently headquartered in Purchase, NY


Corporate Services

Wet and Dry Leasing

CMI (Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) contracts

Customer Specific Commercial Charter Services

Related Aviation Services

Some Statictics

In 2011, Atlas operated 18,500 flights to 250 destinations in 90 countries

2011 net income for stockholders- $96.1 million

2011 revenues- $1.398 billion

Nov. 20- $42.37

http://www.atlasair.com/holdings/investorrelationsslides/AAWW%20Investor%20Slides%20-%20November%2011-12-12.pdf



Atlas Air, Inc.

In 1998, Atlas Air ordered 12 new 747-400 freighter aircraft

By 2000, the fleet held 36 aircraft

Adopted holding company format in 2001 in order to acquire Polar Air Cargo Worldwide




Corporate Services

Wet and Dry Leasing

CMI (Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) contracts

Customer Specific Commercial Charter Services

Related Aviation Services







Corporate Hierarchy

CEO

COO

Senior Vice President (2)

Vice President

(17)

CCO Senior Director

INTERVIEWS…Robert Wood

Senior Director of Safety and Internal Evaluations

Kira KremskiDocument Procedure and

Fulfillment Specialist

Stephanie Biraglia

Manager of Document Services

Mrs. Stephanie Biraglia

Manager of document services department

Produces all company manuals

Used on planes and at different stations

Ensures compliance with the FAA

Her view on Atlas Air’s Culture Competitive

Departments work together to stand out

Cover Ups

Everyone trying to get ahead

Nepotism

Most superiors are ex-military

“Old-school”

“Big personalities”

“Arrogance”

Don’t like to be questioned

Hard for a women to get ahead

Her view continued…

Difficult to be a women

1 female senior director out of 30 total

“Have to walk a fine line” and manage egos

Old manager had a strong personality and did not get along with her superiors

Gave women a bad reputation in the company

Mrs. Biraglia on Managing UpNot encouraged but can be done

Harder for women

Managing personalities is key

Have to filter information to decide what to tell superiors and when

No formal training

Its on the job training

Training would help workers learn how to manage their superiors.

Managing up continued…

Large part of her job

Communicates with her boss constantly

Great relationship with superiors

Honesty

Always knows what is expected of her

Experience has helped her manage all the different personalities at work

Mrs. Biraglia on Managing Down

Six direct subordinates

Important because of SAA’s strict regulations

Has to make sure job details and expectations are clear to avoid being audited

Training is not given but would be helpful

Close with her team but sometimes she has to be stern with them

Mrs. Biraglia on Managing Across

Not many managers in the company

Little interaction with people at her own level

Deals more with her superiors and subordinates

Mr. Robert Wood

Senior Director of Safety and Internal Evaluations

14 Years with Atlas Air

Manger of Ground Safety Senior Manager of Safety Senior Director of Safety and Internal Evaluations

Job Responsibilities

Ground Operations

Coordinating third party audits

Managing any Occupational Safety and Heath Administration concerns

Oversees Document Services

Mr. Wood on Managing Up

Daily communication with superiors

Most important part of his job

No formal training on handling relations with superiors

Managing Up continued…

Listening is a key skill

Make recommendations in one-on-one situations

Keep it short and sweet

Mr. Wood Managing Down

Respect and honesty

Avoid public embarrassment

Allow employees to feel involved

Managing Down continued…

MBO system helps employees be aware of expectations

Gives employees measurable goals

Increases employee motivation

Mr. Wood on Managing Across

Listen to everyone’s opinion

Don’t just say no; try to incorporate aspects of each person’s idea

Keep an open mind

Managing Across continued…

Non-confrontational style most effective

Compromise is an essential component

Ms. Kira Kremski

Procedure and Fulfillment Specialist

Manages up and across

Being at an entry level position, does not have to manage down

Ms. Kremski on Communication

Communication is key at Atlas Air

Communicates with all different departments and offices

E-mail, face-to-face and telephone

Can be improved, information can get lost along the way

Ms. Kremski on Training

No formal training

Some people in company could definitely benefit from training

Learn overtime

If there is a new responsibility, she is made aware

Been in department for along time, this makes her knowledgeable of many of the expectations

Ms. Kremski on Managing Up

Not encouraged, but very prevalent

Very fast paced environment, so necessary to step in

Always respect ideas and opinions

Flexibility is key

Always show you are trying to make an effort

If you disagree, come to an agreement and try to accommodate

Ms. Kremski on Managing Across

Can be difficult

Need to be respectful

May need to work through person

Recommendations

Training – managing up, down and across

Team building / group cohesion

Male/female dynamics

Communication

Training

In all interviews, they said they could have benefitted from training.

Simulated situations

To minimize cost – one time seminar

Team Building

Current hierarchy does not foster team cohesion

After work social events where employees can mingle with upper associates like directors

Not expensive and easy to organize

Monthly gathering after work

More inclusive weekly meetings

Male/Female Dynamics

Such a male dominated industry, it is hard to change the dynamics… but can start by alleviating tension through…

More inclusive social events

Company golf outing? Invite the females!

Company picnic for everyone

Communication

So much done through e-mail

Information overload

Say things wouldn’t normally say in person

Encourage more face to face time

Encourage more phone calls or video chats for international employees

Business

Ob group project