The Art of the Boot

Right Management Consultants is forming a specialized practice for aviation, aerospace, defense and related technologies. John Schreitmuller, Right corporate vp and leader of the new practice, says that the goal is to save clients time and money. "If a consultant comes in and has to learn why a small airplane is different from a 747 or what avionics do, it can take a week to bring them up to speed." With a specialized practice, "we can save weeks of ramp-up time on a complex assignment."

Schreitmuller and his team may not be the most welcome sight around a company, because one of Right's specialties is "transition"-a euphemism for layoffs. But just because nobody wants to think about that subject is no reason to avoid it, he says. "If a downsizing takes place, how do you create ambassadors rather than enemies?"

Right's goal is to make sure that the client has tried all alternatives and that laid-off people are treated responsibly, he says. More than most industries, Schreitmuller says, aviation is a business where ex-employees "become your customers, suppliers and competitors."