JetBlue Case Study
Team 22
MIS 6713-601
Fall 2014
Austin Blake
Tyler Richardson
Alvin Tsang
Carolyn Wanczyk
Executive Summary
Objective
The purpose of this report is to provide the management and stakeholders of JetBlue a plan of action on possible options to increase revenue generated through marketing. By examining the marketing team’s proposals through the DECIDE model this report details what proposals should be funded, which should not be funded, and new ideas for marketing revenue.
Decision
Through analysis of each proposal the decision was made to recommend supporting and funding both the “All You Can Jet” promotion and use of social media. In addition to the two recommendations by the team this report also suggests
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A new approach to marketing needs to be established to boost sales and increase return customers, while at the same time lowering the overhead costs of marketing. Establish The criteria
Marketing will need to establish a plan that fully utilizes the benefits of social media to both lower costs, target specific populations and be more accessible to their customers. By creating open communication and engagement of its customers, JetBlue can expand its visibility and profitability. A successful marketing plan will provide a low cost alternative to traditional marketing practices, while promoting new uses of technology and keeping JetBlue customers engaged with social media. Consider All Alternatives
The marketing team has proposed four recommendations that are up for consideration. The first, to hire a consulting firm to advertise decreased fares on one way tickets out of New York, does not address lowering costs, and therefore is dismissed at this time. By contracting an outside agency expenses would be increased, when the goal is to decrease overhead expenses. A proposal to expand service between NYC and new Markets (ie, China and the Middle East) would also require significant upfront investments in aircraft and personnel. Recent Caribbean additions have been made to the service line in the last two years and have not made a significant impact on sales (Page 1 JetBlue Investor Report, 2011)
JetBlue Airways, the latest entrant in the airlines industry has gone through the initial stages (entrepreneurial and collectivity) of the organizational life cycle rapidly under the successful leadership of David Neelman. JetBlue Airways is currently in the formalization stage of the life cycle where in it needs to create procedures and control systems to effectively manage its growth. Also as it proceeds to grow further to reach the elaboration stage, JetBlue needs to continue to align itself with the environment in order to maintain its sustained growth.
One of the key roles of social media from a marketing perspective is the development of a client based platform. It is becoming an increasingly important part of any business’s marketing. Businesses can utilize existing online platforms to build networks of current and potential clients. By being active online allows businesses to connect with their customers in innovative ways to become a trusted source of information and convey the passion they have for their industry.
Governmental regulations and legalities are another key threat for JetBlue. Airline regulations can increase expenses and potentially create inefficiency in operations in order to meet regulation requirements. Additionally, restrictions related to international trade, tax policy, and competition can thwart expansion efforts.
JetBlue is an American airline company whose headquarter is located in the New York City. They are a low-cost airline who is rapidly growing in the Unites States. According to Wikipedia, “David Neeleman founded the company in February 1999, under the name "NewAir.” Many of their approach come from Southwest Airlines include low prices airfares. However, they differ in the amenities offered to the customers.
The key external factors like the growth in the economy, disposable income, and fuel prices have negatively affected JetBlue. It was compelled to change its strategy several times and in 2011 had an income of $86 million down from $97 million in 2010. The growing consumer interest in leisure travel has positively affected JetBlue. The success of JetBlue has been attributed to growing consumer interest in leisure travel.
The best strategies that can be enforced by JetBlue are the SO strategies, WO strategies & ST strategies. The strategies might differ based on the business unit needs. Marketing teams should concentrate on offering holiday bundle or other relevant services & products amid the low demand period or may also market its latest services & products in order to maintain new and old customers. Operations should concentrate on enhancing yields & scheduling more flights during the day with a minimal turn around time per aircraft. Finance must concentrate on buying of latest aircrafts.
Zhang, B. (2016, July 27). JetBlue is hinting at a dramatic change in its business strategy. Retrieved from www.yahoo.com.
JetBlue has been one of the most successful airlines since it first entered the industry in December of 1999. Founder, David Neeleman, set out to succeed by offering low-cost air travel in hopes of perpetuating his services to as many people as he could across the US. He was very adamant about having a very customer oriented business that catered to the needs of all. In doing so he wanted to emphatically promote his obligation to safety, caring, integrity, passion, while allowing the customers to have fun while traveling. There motto helps portray Neeleman’s belief stating “You Above All”. His primary goals had been to follow Southwest’s objectives of offering low rates to customers, focusing on customer’s needs and comforts while distinguishing itself with their amenities. Neeleman’s other goal was to establish his low-cost leadership strategy by concentrating his airline in a large popular metropolitan area that already is already correlated with high airfare (Peterson, 2004). He then began operating based out of the New York metropolitan area at John F. Kennedy International airport with his secondary locations in Washington D.C., Boston and Los Angeles.
The financing decision which is aimed at securing the purchase of the new 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft would allow JetBlue to enter smaller markets while maintaining low operating costs, and increase flight frequency on existing routes. The low fares offered by JetBlue would allow it to attract new passengers who might otherwise not fly. Earnings from this market segment is expected to contribute to the profitability and positive financial performance of the company
1. JetBlue's strategy for success in the marketplace is based on the cost leadership strategy, as outlined by Michael Porter (QuickMBA, 2010). This strategy relies on delivering products or services at a lower price than competitors, and using that cost leadership as the basis by which to attract customers. JetBlue essentially built their business model after Southwest Airlines, and the company's founders had experience with Southwest that helped them learn about the business. The JetBlue approach to cost leadership is focused on the mass market.
Jet Blue has an opportunity to remain cutting edge in the airline industry by continuing to be low-cost and expanding carrier. A great market for Jet Blue to expand to would be towards the Caribbean's. As well as possibly lobbying Washington to lift travel sanctions in Cuba, which at one point was a major vacation getaway for Americans. This opportunity fits into Jet Blues current business model of short distance flights at a lower cost than the competition.
JetBlue’s strategic plans continue to find ways to remain as affordable and as cost efficient for both the company and the costumer by controlling monitor fuel cost and offering newer jets as they reduce the cost fuel. The newer jets run at better speed, decreasing the cost and actual air travel time. JetBlue has associated itself with the program Nextgen. Newer methods are developing to reduce fuel waste and to reduce air traffic (Jetblue.com/green, 2012). Containing the cost to a smaller budget will continue to keep JetBlue ahead in the airline market, and still allows them to stay at a low cost.
New technology: Internet (60% of seats were booked on-line), paperless operation, computerized, Reservation operation (not using call center)
•Neeleman offered passengers a unique flying experience by providing new aircrafts, simple and low fares, leather seats, free Live TV at every seat, pre-assigned seating, reliable performance, and high-quality customer service. JetBlue focused on point-to-point service to large metropolitan areas with high average fares or highly traveled markets that were underserved. JetBlue’s operating strategy had produced the lowest cost per available seat mile of any of the major U.S. airlines in 2001—6.98 cents vs. 10.08 cents.
JetBlue is related to three types of the management concepts in my personal understand, they are: product and marketing. First of all, in product concepts the company focuses on offer the best to fulfill their customer’s expectation “holds that consumers will favor products that offer the most in quality,