Bill Rogers on flying successfully in two worlds

Bill Rogers on flying successfully in two worlds

January 30, 2012By Erick Mott Comments

Analogies are often a good way to learn from complicated topics and to share insights. And they’re memorable when you experience them first on the ground and then moments later -- thousands of feet in the air in a small but sophisticated Cessna.

Bill Rogers, founder and CEO of Ektron, and I decided to take a break from the office on January 19th to discuss and experience the similarities of Ektron and flying an airplane. This may seem a little abstract at first but the video above and this brief post will clear things up.

It had been 20 years since I flew in a 4-seater so there was excitement in the air to say the least. For Bill, it was his second flight of the day and something he typically does on a weekly basis; weather permitting. He enjoys honing his instruments rating skills.

What struck me immediately as we arrived at Nashua airport was Bill’s passion for all things aviation. His knowledge of the industry, organized garage, preparation before flight, attention to detail while interacting with the tower, calm demeanor and leadership in the plane from takeoff to landing. These same qualities are noticeable in his CEO role. But he admitted that flying goes well beyond him and the aircraft, and this is true for Ektron.

Just like flying successfully from one location to another -- running a successful, growth business that leverages web content management and digital marketing solutions requires teamwork, scalable technologies, instruments, a network of partners, and the ability to adjust with precision regardless of rapidly changing conditions. The most important idea I took away from our experience was situational awareness. Bill talked about how his G1000 instruments, along with air traffic control (ATC) communication, provides awareness and confidence in the cockpit.

Whether you’re in the air or on the ground, the concept of situational awareness is a real advantage that all businesses should rely on in their constantly changing digital world. Follow Bill on Twitter to learn more about his adventures and industry insights. Safe and successful travels.