BBTF.org/m/products : Delta Air Lines Blog: Jeff’s New Day Job at Hartsfield

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Harvard Business Review Blog: Business Model Innovation the Red Sox Way

(blogs.hbr.org)

posted on December 22, 2011 at 06:39 AM by Lowry Seasoning Salt to business, history, products, red sox, special topics | 6 comment(s)

Major league owners are famously reluctant to release franchise-specific financial information. However, Forbes estimates that the value of the Red Sox has climbed from about $500 million in 2002 to $900 million in 2011 — an impressive 7% annual growth.

Companies seeking to revitalize seemingly stagnant businesses can take three lessons from the Red Sox success:

1. Question orthodoxy. Of course you can’t put people on top of the Green Monster. Or host a hockey game in Fenway. Or can you?

...

Reader Comments and Retorts

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1. PS is probably making an obscure reference posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

He might never make Cooperstown, but he's definitely in the Delta Hall of Fame...

2. tribefan posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

By the way, if you haven’t been in Delta’s Sky Club (formerly the Crown Room) I’ll say a membership is definitely worth it. I spent a little time in there last week and you’re missing out if you haven’t been.

Sure, as long as someone else is paying for it.

3. Banta posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:17 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

So, how stupid would you have to be to believe that Jeff Francoeur writes this crap? Stupid enough to believe he's a quality major leaguer, or even dumber than that?

Oh, and I want to clarify. I LOVE this Jeff Francoeur "coverage." It's unlike anything I've ever seen before.

4. Tripon posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:18 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is this actually serious?

5. Dr Love posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

So, how stupid would you have to be to believe that Jeff Francoeur writes this crap? Stupid enough to believe he's a quality major leaguer, or even dumber than that?

Should we ask Tommy Lasorda?

6. JPWF13

posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Oh, and I want to clarify. I LOVE this Jeff Francoeur "coverage." It's unlike anything I've ever seen before.

Ditto...

Of course if I was a sabr inclined Braves fan, the focus the team and its fans and the local media put on Franchy would make me pull out what's left of my hair.

7. Kyle S at work posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:23 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I saw this and thought it was hysterical (hence the submission). Of course he didn't write it. It wouldn't surprise me if Jeff is illiterate... and I'm a Braves fan!

8. Banta posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wasn't trying to imply that you thought that he wrote it either, Kyle. Not that you even thought that! Ah!! The limitations of language!

9. Dr Love posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

At least you can actually comment to answer the questions that are asked.

10. PreservedFish posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:37 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If you had the chance to work at Delta for the day, which job would you try? Flight attendant? Gate agent? CSA (Customer Service Agent)? Blogger?

Great question Jeff. I've always fancied a go at the oversize luggage check-in counter. Every day would be filled with new challenges and surprises.

11. Dingbat_Charlie

posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I have no arms!

12. Shock posted on May 18, 2009 at 09:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Good on Jeff. He must know that his days as an MLB superstar are numbered, and has to cash in while he can.

13. Latnam's first name is Bob Lemon's middle name posted on May 18, 2009 at 11:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Of course if I was a sabr inclined Braves fan, the focus the team and its fans and the local media put on Franchy would make me pull out what's left of my hair.

How did you know I was going bald?

14. Swoboda is freedom posted on May 18, 2009 at 11:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If you had the chance to work at Delta for the day, which job would you try? Flight attendant? Gate agent? CSA (Customer Service Agent)? Blogger?

Can I be the pilot?

15. Raskolnikov posted on May 18, 2009 at 11:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

[simmons] Ladies and gentlemen, the Jeff Francoeur era! [/simmons]

16. jwb posted on May 19, 2009 at 12:20 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I spent a little time in there last week and you’re missing out if you haven’t been. The Delta group is always so fun and welcoming, and clearly they like to give their customers a memorable experience. I hope everyone I met last week enjoyed it – I sure did!

This sounds disturbingly like a review of an escort service.

17. hokieneer posted on May 19, 2009 at 12:28 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I hope Frenchy hits just enough to have a 8-10 year Major League career. This coverage is priceless. Ahh I can already smell the "Jeff for Team MVP" articles.

18. Harveys Wallbangers

posted on May 19, 2009 at 12:55 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

He's like a modern day Rabbit Maranville. Only Rabbit was funny on purpose........

19. Tripon posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:05 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The problem with that is the Braves are likely to non-tender his ass after the season ends.

20. Pops Freshenmeyer posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:13 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The problem with that is the Braves are likely to non-tender his ass after the season ends.

Are they still hitting him in the middle of the order?

21. Tripon posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:15 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

6th, I think in tonight's game.

22. Dr Love posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:23 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Are they still hitting him in the middle of the order?

Recently he's hit 7th, before that it was either 5th or 6th.

23. PS is probably making an obscure reference posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:49 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

They're still playing Garret Anderson 4th, which isn't better. Anderson's hitting even worse, except he can't field either.

24. flournoy posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:50 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I knew two guys in college who graduated from high school with Francoeur, and neither one indicated that he was particularly dumb. At the least, no dumber than your average high school jock. I'm pretty sure he's literate.

The article is hysterical. I really can't think of anything to add.

25. robinred

posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

If you had the chance to work at Delta for the day, which job would you try? Flight attendant? Gate agent? CSA (Customer Service Agent)? Blogger?

Pilot. I heard they score the most, and in the movies, at least, they get to say stuff like, "Have you ever seen a grown man naked?"

26. Tripon posted on May 19, 2009 at 01:57 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wonder what Francoeur's getting paid for his Delta endorsement?

27. greenback

posted on May 19, 2009 at 02:13 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The problem with that is the Braves are likely to non-tender his ass after the season ends.

I don't watch Braves telecasts, so I have to ask: Do they describe Francoeur as leading the Braves in RBIs?

28. Greg Pope thinks the Cubs are reeking havoc posted on May 19, 2009 at 02:39 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

So, I can't say that I've really seen this kind of thing before. Assuming Jeff doesn't actually write any of this...

Does he review it before it's "published"? I mean, what if the ghost writer goes on and on about Delta's peanuts, but Jeff's allergic?

Do these events really happen? Did Jeff really punk some unsuspecting Delta travellers? If not, then the blog is an outright lie. If so, then what does that say about Jeff?

29. Dan Szymborski

posted on May 19, 2009 at 02:57 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

You have to give it to Delta Airlines and Delta Airlines Presents Jeff Francoeur. In this day and age, in which we're inundated with advertisements practically 24/7, to actually develop an ad campaign that is so hilariously painful.

30. Robert S. posted on May 19, 2009 at 03:52 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

This thing is way more enjoyable if you assume Francouer wrote it, so I'm going with that. It brought back fond memories of Mike Scioscia's time at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.

31. PS is probably making an obscure reference posted on May 19, 2009 at 03:54 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't watch Braves telecasts, so I have to ask: Do they describe Francoeur as leading the Braves in RBIs?

Their broadcasters are particularly smart... they still answer the infield fly rule, and quote small sample matchups, but they recognize there are more advanced stats and don't shower Francoeur with praise. They did call McCann a very special hitter today, if I remember, so they have an idea where the talent is.

EDIT: I thought Chip Caray was the next gen of horrible announcing, but in the Braves' booth, he's just like his dad. I still remember last spring, on the radio, they were talking about Resop's name, and how it meant re-sopping the meat in the gravy in your dish. "That was our producer Glen Diamond telling us to get this out of our systems, now."

32. Dave Spiwak posted on May 19, 2009 at 04:14 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

It wouldn't surprise me if Jeff is illiterate... and I'm a Braves fan!

A tearful press conference where he reveals his illiteracy (a la Dexter Manley) a few years after his retirement (2010?) would be the icing on his career as a pitch man for Delta/inefficient major league baseball player.

33. NJ in NY posted on May 19, 2009 at 04:26 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm in tears. I can't stop laughing at how absurd this whole Delta/Francoeur situation has become.

34. Shock posted on May 19, 2009 at 05:53 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Also: I can't believe nobody has made the comment that Jeff might want to keep this day job.

35. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

posted on May 19, 2009 at 06:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

This reads like a Jackie Harvey column.

36. Dave Spiwak posted on May 19, 2009 at 06:45 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well, I’ve figured out what my full-time career <strike> would have been had I not made it to the Major Leagues (or the NFL or the PGA Tour)</strike> will be very shortly – I <strike> would have made </strike> am quite the Delta airport representative!

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Harvard Business Review Blog: Business Model Innovation the Red Sox Way

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