What does SimpliFlying stand for? Thinking Differently about aviation marketing (and lessons from Simon Sinek)

We’ve grown…

It may sound surprising, but SimpliFlying is just crawling out of its toddler-years as a startup. It’s been four years since I left my job in Boston to work full time on my passion, at the intersection of aviation and marketing. And boy, what a ride it has been! What started out as an airline marketing blog has become a leading aviation strategy consulting firm with over 30 clients globally and a closely-knit team spread over four continents.

Statistically speaking, we’ve crossed a million views on our blog, as well as our Youtube channel; almost half a million views on our Slideshare channel, and acquired over 12,000 Twitter followers. When we started, Friendster had just died, and MySpace was dying (remember 2009?) and I often got asked at aviation conferences by airline executives, “What’s Facebook got to do with my airline? My grand-daughter uses it to see her friend’s photos!” Oh, how far we’ve come! 

Lessons from Simon Sinek

And far we’ve come as a company too. At our recent global retreat in Valencia, Spain (view photos), one of the most passionate discussions we had was around why we do what we do, not just how we do it. Inspired by TED speaker Simon Sinek, we worked hard to determine SimpliFlying’s “Golden Circle”, which shows that most marketing messages –- even from the most well-known (and well-funded) companies, go something like this: 

  • 100% of all organizations know WHAT they do.
  • Some know HOW they do it.
  • Very few know WHY they do what they do.

Sinek’s main message is: very few organizations know why they do what they do. Why does the organization exist? Why should the CEO get out of bed in the morning? But until an organization identifies it’s central belief and message, they will most likely continue to communicate in a mediocre way. 

Companies like Apple, have their Golden Circle figured out. And while in the company, we all knew instinctively why we were here, it was time SimpliFlying figured it out in clear words. 

Our Golden Circle

After a number of enthusiastic debates over a couple of days, the whole team agreed that in everything we do, we believe in thinking differently about aviation marketing. We understand the intersection of aviation and marketing better than anything else. We have the most experience. And the most number of clients. 

Below, the Golden Circle is represented visually, in a uniquely SimpliFlying style. 

The SimpliFlying Golden Circle
The SimpliFlying Golden Circle

 There you have it! That’s why we do what we do. Would you like to work with us? Get in touch at engage@simpliflying.com.

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