Description
The Business of Aerospace is a compilation of many of Antoine Gelain's writings for Aviation Week & Space Technology published throughout the last decade. Organized by themes and complemented by brief commentaries introducing underlying business concepts or additional information, these reader-friendly columns cover a broad enough range of issues to provide a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the key themes relevant to the business of aerospace today. They draw on the author's unique combination of functional expertise (studying and advising on corporate strategy) and industry expertise (working in and with the aerospace industry).
Columns have been kept in their original form, as they are meant to reflect a specific view taken, or analysis made, from when they were written. As such, they are like short case studies, reflecting how business decisions are made: in the present moment, trying to make sense of the past and anticipate the future. To address the unique challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the author has added a concluding chapter that draws upon the stories covered in the book and lessons learned from them to lay out a post-Covid-19 agenda for industry revival.
The main purpose of this book is to help aerospace engineering students and young professionals better understand the business side of the industry while familiarizing themselves with generic business strategy and innovation concepts. Indeed, aerospace is not only about engineering and technology. It is a fully-fledged business with its own economics, competitive dynamics, key success factors and managerial challenges. And it is a complex business, not only because every airplane or rocket is made up of millions of parts produced by thousands of companies all over the world, but also because it is considered a "strategic" industry by many nations and therefore subject to political powerplays that often interfere with rational business and managerial decision-making.
About the Author
Antoine Gelain is a corporate strategy advisor and expert in the Aerospace & Defense industry, having worked for thirty years in it, first as an international sales manager in the Asia-Pacific for what has now become Airbus Group, then as a strategy consultant advising corporate clients and private equity investors active in the sector. He holds a master's degree from ESSEC School of Management in France and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and a contributing columnist for Aviation Week & Space Technology, where he writes on strategy and innovation.
Reviews
Consider Gelain's book not only a comprehensive review of what has been happening in the Aerospace and Defense sector, but even more importantly the readers should consider: what is applicable to my business? What assumptions have I made about the industry and trends that I need to question? Does my strategy that was previously developed, match the changes that the industry is undergoing? Just asking those questions after reading this book will bring valuable insights." -Barry A. Matsumori, CEO at BridgeComm, Inc., Former SVP of Sales and Business Development at SpaceX
"Antoine takes us on a breathtaking journey through the aerospace industry's recent history, demonstrating how quickly it has changed, and that we are still just in the early stages of a new paradigm. His timely references to Clay Christensen's disruptive innovation theory certainly emphasized for me its relevance in analyzing this industry's dynamics." -Peter Platzer, CEO at Spire Global, Inc.
"A sharp, insightful analysis of aerospace sector evolution over the last 15 years and some timely pointers for its future. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand this industry." -Patrick Ky, Executive Director at European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
"Antoine is by far one of the most knowledgeable aerospace experts in the world, and his ability to draw holistic insights is unparalleled. The scope of the book truly encompasses the "bigger picture", as it dives deep, wide, long, and broad into this fascinating industry. This is a must-read for anyone interested in both the strategic aspects as well as the possible futures ahead for the aerospace sector." -Roger Spitz, President at Techistential and Chairman at Disruptive Futures Institute
Book Information
ISBN 9781624106149
Author Antoine Gelain
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Publisher American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Weight(grams) 515g
Columns have been kept in their original form, as they are meant to reflect a specific view taken, or analysis made, from when they were written. As such, they are like short case studies, reflecting how business decisions are made: in the present moment, trying to make sense of the past and anticipate the future. To address the unique challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the author has added a concluding chapter that draws upon the stories covered in the book and lessons learned from them to lay out a post-Covid-19 agenda for industry revival.
The main purpose of this book is to help aerospace engineering students and young professionals better understand the business side of the industry while familiarizing themselves with generic business strategy and innovation concepts. Indeed, aerospace is not only about engineering and technology. It is a fully-fledged business with its own economics, competitive dynamics, key success factors and managerial challenges. And it is a complex business, not only because every airplane or rocket is made up of millions of parts produced by thousands of companies all over the world, but also because it is considered a "strategic" industry by many nations and therefore subject to political powerplays that often interfere with rational business and managerial decision-making.
About the Author
Antoine Gelain is a corporate strategy advisor and expert in the Aerospace & Defense industry, having worked for thirty years in it, first as an international sales manager in the Asia-Pacific for what has now become Airbus Group, then as a strategy consultant advising corporate clients and private equity investors active in the sector. He holds a master's degree from ESSEC School of Management in France and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and a contributing columnist for Aviation Week & Space Technology, where he writes on strategy and innovation.
Reviews
Consider Gelain's book not only a comprehensive review of what has been happening in the Aerospace and Defense sector, but even more importantly the readers should consider: what is applicable to my business? What assumptions have I made about the industry and trends that I need to question? Does my strategy that was previously developed, match the changes that the industry is undergoing? Just asking those questions after reading this book will bring valuable insights." -Barry A. Matsumori, CEO at BridgeComm, Inc., Former SVP of Sales and Business Development at SpaceX
"Antoine takes us on a breathtaking journey through the aerospace industry's recent history, demonstrating how quickly it has changed, and that we are still just in the early stages of a new paradigm. His timely references to Clay Christensen's disruptive innovation theory certainly emphasized for me its relevance in analyzing this industry's dynamics." -Peter Platzer, CEO at Spire Global, Inc.
"A sharp, insightful analysis of aerospace sector evolution over the last 15 years and some timely pointers for its future. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand this industry." -Patrick Ky, Executive Director at European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
"Antoine is by far one of the most knowledgeable aerospace experts in the world, and his ability to draw holistic insights is unparalleled. The scope of the book truly encompasses the "bigger picture", as it dives deep, wide, long, and broad into this fascinating industry. This is a must-read for anyone interested in both the strategic aspects as well as the possible futures ahead for the aerospace sector." -Roger Spitz, President at Techistential and Chairman at Disruptive Futures Institute
Book Information
ISBN 9781624106149
Author Antoine Gelain
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Publisher American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Weight(grams) 515g
