After an almost record-breaking snowfall this year in Toronto, I found myself wishing I was still in Florida, which I visited in early February. Everything was beyond relaxing. The weather was impeccable. The food was sensational. Even the WestJet plane ride was gratifying. And then I wondered, why?
I thought back to the 2007 study, Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures, produced by Waterstone Human Capital. It was no surprise WestJet Airlines ranked number one on the list. Want an example of good PR? Take the company slogan, for instance: “Why do WestJetters care so much? Because we’re also WestJet owners.”
For me, an organization with employees who care, is a big turn-on right from the start. From personal experience, they’ve got their stuff together. I remember WestJetters being polite and helpful, at least 90 per cent of the 20 times I’ve flown. Which, considering no corporation is perfect, amounts to an excellent track record. Then I recalled flying numerous times with Air Transat and Air Canada, whose employees seemed overworked, rude, and unhelpful. For a customer such as myself, being constantly greeted with a smile and given an extra bag of pretzels goes a long way. In fact, it went so far as to make me a permanent customer.
