DALLAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today introduced the Colleen C.
Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service
(CCB Institute), a website honoring Colleen
C. Barrett and her incredible passion for nurturing a
vibrant corporate Culture.
As the Company celebrates its 50-year history, the CCB Institute
honors Southwest Airlines' President Emeritus, Colleen Barrett, and establishes a center where
individuals and organizations can learn about the tenets of
Southwest's legendary Culture, Leadership, and Hospitality. The CCB
Institute provides practical resources to help others learn from
her remarkable example, and offers inspiration for individuals and
organizations to make long-lasting, positive impacts in our
organizations and our world.
It's no secret that much of the success of Southwest centers on
its People-first Culture. A concept often admired around the world,
but rarely replicated. Colleen is a driving force and credited for
developing Southwest's Legendary Customer Service, which became the
gold standard not only for airlines but also for many
customer-facing companies. She was famous for writing letters back
to Customers and for sending heartfelt notes to Employees when she
saw something that impressed her.
"Colleen has always valued Employees like Family, which is the
Heart and soul of our Culture today at Southwest," said
Whitney Eichinger, Managing Director
Culture & Engagement. "The CCB Institute provides a home for
the practical application of her core values—living by The Golden
Rule with a Servant's Heart, Warrior Spirit, and a Fun-LUVing
Attitude—while sharing stories, memories, and examples of how that
ethos shaped Southwest into the airline of today."
Prior to joining Southwest in 1978, Colleen worked for several
years as an Executive Assistant to Southwest Founder, Herb Kelleher, at his law firm. Colleen oversaw
management, leadership, and budget responsibilities for a variety
of areas/groups. She was a member of the airline's Executive
Planning Committee, Southwest's Executive Planning Committee, and
chaired numerous special Teams, task forces, and committees
relating to Internal and External Southwest Customers. Colleen also
became the first woman president in the airline industry when she
assumed the role in 2001. Her influence on the unique Culture of
Southwest since the very beginning is indelible, and she is beloved
by the Southwest Family.
In addition to revealing more about Colleen's life, career path,
and trailblazing actions, the CCB Institute serves up a wealth of
resources including books, videos, articles, and podcasts from and
about Colleen, Southwest, and other Company Leaders. Grounded in
her wisdom, the site reflects and offers insight into several
programs she created which are cornerstones in Southwest's Culture
and recognition programs today. There are also many heart-warming
stories from Employees on how she has personally influenced their
lives. Moving forward, the CCB Institute will continue to add
resources such as an email newsletter and educational events.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than
56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million
Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of
point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure
and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest
operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101
destinations in the United States
and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to
Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs,
Calif.; Steamboat Springs;
and Montrose (Telluride/Crested
Butte), Colo. Thus far in 2021, Southwest has initiated
service to Chicago (O'Hare) and
Sarasota/ Bradenton, both on Feb.
14; Savannah/Hilton Head and
Colorado Springs, Colo., both on
March 11; Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif., both on April 12; Fresno,
Calif., on April
25; Destin/Fort Walton Beach on May 6; as well as Myrtle Beach S.C., on May 23; and will begin service to Bozeman, Mont., on May
27; Jackson, Miss., on June 6; and Eugene, Ore., on Aug.
29. The Company also has announced an intention to initiate
new service to Bellingham, Wash.,
later this year.
The carrier issued its Southwest® Promise in
May 2020 to highlight new and
round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees
well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning
efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, along with a federal
mandate requiring every person to wear a mask at all times
throughout each flight. Additional details about the Southwest
Promise are available
at Southwest.com/Promise.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to describe its
purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and
low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S.
airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first and
second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply,
some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in
qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees,
though fare differences might apply.
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world,
known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the
carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of
its People and the communities they serve, and an overall
commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the
carrier gives back to communities across the world by
visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at
Southwest.com or by phone at
1-800-I-FLY-SWA®.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.