Before adopting the quality philosophy, a good number of staff
at Kenya Airways saw the world through godfathers, nepotism,
corruption and self gratification. In some instances some of the
staff even saw customers as a source of unnecessary and uncalled
for irritation. It was as if the fewer the customers they handled, the
more exciting were the jobs. In a way one would say they were
being pragmatic as losses or no losses their salaries would still be
streaming in. Hard work or competence was of no consequence.
The quality way required that this slovenly attitudinal framework
be exorcised from the heads and hearts of Kenya Airways staff..
At first there had to be a transition where Kenya Airways employees
had to go through a complete conversation and become convinced
that T.Q.M. was the way to go. Most importantly the priorities of
the leadership had to show how employees were to be recognized,
rewarded and promoted. Kenya Airways recognized that a new
value system that was consistent with the new cultural orientation
of the company was badly needed. A “Building Pride Together”
course was designed and run by consultants with staff as facilitators.
Entire staff was trained. One would want to imagine the degree of
inspiration when a messenger realized that the Managing Director
was also smarting under the reconditioning strain on the next seat.
Staff morale was high and they were motivated.