Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

They'll Try to Stop You Before You're Born

If you have competitors that you can potentially make big inroads to their businesses, there is a very good chance that they'll try to choke off your business; eithe before it births, or right after it opens up. That was the case with Southwest Airlines (LUV).

When Rollin King was attacked by Texas International, Braniff, and Continental Airlines, they chose to go through the litigation route to stop the company from even literally getting off the ground. Who was King's attorney in the case? None other than Herb Kelleher.

Of course Kelleher argued the case and won, with the airline launching in 1971.

What were a couple of things that can be learned from this? First, both King and Kelleher knew they were really on to something. Nobody attacks like that unless they can see the potential threat that is represented.

Second, because they went the litigation route, they were basically proclaiming that they didn't have an answer for the business model that Southwest represented. Another good sign.

Last, when you know you have something this good, be prepared for the fight of your life through whatever means it may go. Litigation is ususally brought by those businesses that are commodities and don't know how to combat someone that is able to differentiate themselves.

This is the power of being unique and sticking with our purpose; the endless story that this blog represents probably more than anything else.

All that the litigation could do was to postpone the company from starting. With no answers to the Southwest strategy, it was a waste of valuable time and money. Once the airline started they got their way in spite of the opposition. Litigation would work only if the time delay would offer opportunities for the competition to answer the challenge.

Instead, all they wanted to do was to abort the company before it was able to come forth. They failed on all levels.

Other Herb Kelleher Sources:

Special Event

Leadership: The Essential Herb Kelleher

The CEO as Brand Guardian

Herb's way

Speeches and Presentations from Southwest Leaders

Southwest Airlines: The Hottest Thing in the Sky

Have Fun, Make Money

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