Inside Skylink with Bashaar Zainal

Where are you from?

I was born in Miami and raised in Tampa my entire childhood. My mother comes from a spanish background from Ecuador and my father is from Kuwait City, Kuwait. I currently reside in Orlando, FL. Can’t seem to leave the state. I think the sunny weather is addicting.

What brought you to Skylink?

Skylink was an easy choice for me because they deal with the aviation business, something that I am incredibly fond of. They also have worked with my previous institution, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical. It was a great fit for me as I naturally gravitated towards this company and I couldn’t be happier. They have welcomed me with open arms in their family owned business that has been running strong for the past twenty five years.

What do you love about aviation?

I love aviation as a whole because I grew up with it. I use to travel as a child back and forth across the world to see family in South America and the Middle East. I have been through more terminals than I can count. It has a nostalgic grasp on me that I can’t shake. I use to press my face and hands on the terminal windows to get a closer look as planes took off in the night sky. Some kids grow up with dinosaurs, cars or legos. I grew up with Aviation.

Who is your hero? Why?

This might sound a bit geeky, but my hero is The Incredible Hulk. He does things that I wish I could do sometimes. Smash things when he's angry, be a green monster (green is my favorite color by the way), and jump 3 metric miles with a single leap. There is no such thing as gas expenses for The Hulk, but I’m sure he makes up for it buying multiple pairs of purple shorts.

What is your favorite book?

Not too sure if this would really count, but I am more into comics. I am still a kid at heart so I love the action and illustrations that a comic book can depict. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good book. The most recent book I read through was Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. With the new Jurassic World adaptation coming out in the next couple weeks, I want to make sure I get the full story of why dinosaurs think humans are a good meal.

What inspires you?

Inspiration is more of a when than a what. I believe that certain events in my life inspire me to do things and come up with great ideas. But what really inspires me is the stars and our universe in the sky. Billions of stars with another billion of galaxies to show for it. It really makes me think of what possibilities there are in the sky as well as for me.

3 Random Factoids

What’s your favorite drink currently in your fridge?

Lindemans Raspberry Framboise

What’s a tool or trick you use to make life easier?

One of the best tricks I have learned is how to prevent tearing up when cutting up an onion. If you lay a piece of bread next to the onion while slicing and dicing, the bread will absorb the aroma and take the hit so you are free of waterworks.

If you were a superhero, what would be your name and superpower?

Being a superhero comes with some major responsibilities. But if I had a shot of being a superhero, I would like to be named Super Dj. Dj has been my nickname since a kid. It was the easiest solution since not everyone had the gift of saying my name right. And being in the aviation business, my super power would be flight. Who would't like to fly?

In The News: Additive Plane Parts Study, New Carbon Aircraft Brakes, And Retailers In The Air

Additive Manufacturing of Parts Makes Planes Lighter and Cheaper

A case study by Northwestern University has confirmed 3-D printing can save the airline industry and the environment by saving on fuel and materials while cutting down on manufacturing wastes. Click here to find out more.

-Original article by Brian Wang

Carbon Brakes Replacing Steel Brakes on Aircraft

It takes some major friction to stop a 75 ton aircraft. Steel brakes are the universal choice in aircraft stopping power. But that is changing with new and more efficient Carbon Brakes. Find out more here.

-Original article by The Washington Post

Retailers In The Air

Ever wish you could order your in-flight lunch in the air? Or order a specific movie you wanted to watch in the back headrest on your mobile device? The idea isn’t too far fetched. Click here to learn more.

-Original article by Clint Boulton

Why No One Is Listening To You

How does it feel, being ignored? You pick up the phone and get voicemail. You email and get no reply back. You text only to be ignored. In the world of fast paced jets, communication moves at the speed of idle dirt. Dealing with aircraft maintenance supply chain partners is a chore.

It's like babysitting a child that doesn't listen.

Nowadays, we have social communication mediums like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, and the ancient phone, text and email. Yet, listening and communication skills are at an all time low. It's a mind numbing epidemic.

So why are people not listening to you? Why does it seem like nobody cares?

It's Not A You Problem, It's a Who Problem

When supply chain partners don't actively engage you in a conversation, it's not a you problem, it's a who problem.

It's very common to have a need and to have to pull teeth to work through a problem and find a solution. The person you should be relying on most is out to lunch with their phone turned off. They say "I-care-a-lot-about-you" but actions speak louder than words.

I'll give you a quick checklist to identify the who problem:

• They don't reply to your email for hours
• You don't have a cell phone number for them
• You leave voicemails and they never return your call
• You leave voicemails and it takes days to get a call back
• They don't accept your social media requests so you can build trust a rapport with them
• They are hard to find on the internet
• You have no way to text them
• They're never on Skype
• They don't have Whatsapp
• You can't call them after hours or on the weekends
• Every time you talk to them it always sounds like they have something more important to do

This is why we have 24/7 dedicated Account Managers.

You can contact them personally any time you want. People who we can create the greatest value for and who benefits from our solutions has entire access to their Account Manager. It's about creating a "WOW" experience.

When you're not being heard and you identify it's a who problem, look at your options and figure out another way.

The Downfall of Demands

Another big issue it the constant pressure of demands, it could be you doing the demanding or the other party.

Constant demands will have the other party running. Communicating and listening together is entirely different.

Here's a great example. We had a new customer contact us and every time we engaged them in a solution for their rotable RFQ needs, they would demand a "cheaper" price. It was never good enough and pretty soon we became disengaged. With the prices we were quoting they got 100% logistical support, 24/7 access to a dedicated Account Manager and unparalleled service.

They know that they can trust us and we do as we say. There's no having to babysit us. In this particular situation it was a matter of $100 that they demanded we come down to. It was a constant demand of lowering prices and a constant demand of shipping things faster than agreed upon.

Every time we worked with this client it was a demand. It was never collaborative.

Are demands sometime necessary? Yes, of course, but doing more demanding and less communication and collaborating gets most people nowhere.

Listening is much more productive than talking and it's a critical flaw in a lot of supply chain partners communication style. Know the who and watch out for the constant demands.

Do you feel like your constantly ignored? Do your supply chain partners have a listening problem? Well fear no more my friend. Fill out the form below and let's show you how good listening skills is done.

Skylink Teams Up With Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

This week we invited the prestigious Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to come in and take some retired spare parts off our hands for their classrooms. We were delighted to donate these parts as it provides a great hands on learning experience for the prospecting students attending the University. Moreover, it was great to team up with a well known university that has grown its roots from the first flight of the Wright Brothers back in 1903.

In The News: Air Force Rebuilds C130 Wings, The Rebirth Of The Middle Seat, And The Reason Behind The Window Hole

Air Force Rebuilds The Wings Of A C130

Watch this video of the United States Air Force completely rebuilding the wings on a C130 Hercules. Click here for the original video.

Original video by The United States Air force

The Rebirth Of Sitting In The Middle seat

Thompson Aero Seating has re-invented the middle seat. No longer will passengers have to fight over who gets the window or isle seat. This is truly an amazing design. Check it out here!

Original article by Erika Owen

The Reason Behind The Small Hole In Airplane Windows Revealed

I know every time I have sat in a window seat, at some point during the flight that tiny hole comes into my view. I always wondered what it was there for, but never took the time to read about it. Click here to find out what it does!

Original article by Robbie Gonzalez

27 Reasons Why We Love Aviation

The lives we live are vastly different than what most people are use to. We live and breathe aviation. We love the products, we love the people, and we love the challenges. Here is a very short list of why we love this industry:

1. Aviation never sleeps. Which in a weird way is...awesome?
2. We have our own language, like AOG. If someone doesn't know what it means they belong on another planet.
3. We have our own Aviation Alphabet:

4. If you don't know Alpha, Bravo, Charlie please don't talk to us. 5. You critique every airline's operational efficiency. 6. We get to meet so many great people from various cultures and backgrounds. 7. We oddly love the smell of aircraft tires. 8. Jet fuel smells like roses. 9. Some of us have experienced bouts of Skydrol on the wrong parts of our body. Burn! Wash your hands people. 10. Most take flying for granted, we don't. 11. Serenity is achieved 30,000ft above. 12. 

13. We can touch any continent in a days time. 14. We work with the smartest people and products outside of Silicone Valley. 15. The supply chain is complicated. 16. The challenge is fun. 17. Aviation brings people from varying backgrounds to work together. 18. 

19. Overcoming an AOG can save thousands of dollars for our partners. 20. Watching planes takeoff and land is therapeutic. 21. The sky is no longer the limit. 22. We wake up early to work on these:

23. The toys are awesome. 24. The tools we use beat the cheap car junk. 25. You can hold a $150,000 component in your hand and it's not a diamond. 26. The scenery always changes.

27. Lives are at stake and quality is paramount.

In The News: New B/E Aerospace Seats, Bird Damaging An Airplane, And Electronics During Flight

A New Seat Made By B/E Aerospace

Southwest is going to introduce a brand new seat designed by B/E Aerospace. These will be the widest economy seats on a 737. Click here to read more.

 Original article by The Cranky Flier

See What A Bird Can Do To An Airplane

A bird flew into the nose of a Turkish Airlines flight, and completely caved in the front. Luckily planes are built to take hits like this and be just fine. No one was injured and the plane landed safely. Click here to see the full article.

 Original article by Stan Schroeder

You Can Leave Your Electronics On During Flights!

A recent ruling states that passengers can keep their electronics on during takeoff and landing. Even though the FAA approved electronics, not all airlines are allowing this just yet. Click here to read more.

 Original article by Fiona Mcdonald

Skylink's Journey To India

Recently a couple of our Skylink team members were invited to travel to India to meet with some of our clients and close friends to celebrate their wedding. They started off flying from Newark to Mumbai where they spent a few nights sightseeing. This is a picture in Mumbai of the central laundry facility. For hotels that do not have in house laundry, they send their linens here. They arrived too late in the day to see the washing process, but this is how they dry all the linens. It’s interesting how each area is color coded.

A couple days later they took a three hour car ride to Nashik for the wedding. Below is Nate at the ring ceremony standing with the Groom.

Here is Nate and Nicky celebrating with the Bride and Groom during the ring ceremony.

The next day they attended the wedding ceremony in the their traditional Indian attire. Look how incredible the flower arrangements are!

Here is Nicky posing with another wedding guest during the wedding reception.

After the wedding, Nate and Nicky did some more sightseeing around India. First stop was riding an elephant in Jaipur, towards the Amber Fort!

They were also able to spend some time in Agra were the Taj Mahal is located. Isn’t this picture Nicky took amazing?!

Nicky and Nate were honored to be a part of all the wedding festivities, and getting to see such a beautiful country.

In The News: Airbus And Boeing Have New Patents, Electric Airplane, And Top Airline Amenities

  Airbus And Boeing’s New Patents That Will Change The Way We Fly

Airbus and Boeing have filed for multiple patents recently. I don't want to spoil them, but one involves a touch screen window. Check the original article here.

Original article by Daisy Carrington

An Electric Airplane Exists?

Airbus will begin producing the first electric airplane. There are two models coming out and they will be available in late 2017 or 2018! See the original article here.

Original article by AirInsight

Top 10 Airline Amenities You Didn't Know About

Have you ever wanted to see your favorite band, or sip on Turkish coffee while flying? Find out the top 10 things airlines have to offer. Click here to see the original article.

Original article by Huffington Post

How To Properly Manage Aircraft Component TATs

There is nothing more frustrating than your aircraft component being delayed. It’s a pull your hair out moment.

Your TAT(turnaround time) is 21 days but 30 days later you still have nothing. You’re more stressed than ever and your blood boils with every passing day.

Supply chain delays are a common stressor. Both time and money are on the line. How do you eradicate this problem? Or can you at all?

It's very difficult to eliminate completely, but with a few steps we can reduce common TAT issues.

Now there is no magic fairy dust and to fix this it takes effort from all supply chain partners.

Follow-up schedule

You're probably thinking, duh, I know I have to follow-up, but this step often gets overlooked.

When an order is placed whether it be a PO or RO, you'll inevitably have to follow up in some form or fashion. Think of this as effective communication, staying engaged and friendly.

Go a step further and create a follow-up schedule leading up to your predetermined ship date. This will help alleviate stress and unnecessary thinking.

On time delivery alerts and reporting

With every order you place you must track your on time deliveries.

This will give you a well needed overview of your supply chain health. Are orders being delayed because of supplier lead times or is there something else holding up delivery? This could be your freight forwarder, customs, or various other things.

Tracking your on time deliveries will help you pinpoint issue areas.

You should also have a visual report so it’s easier to see and manage. Your ERP system may have this within it’s platform, or you can just export it to excel.

Dedicated support for 24/7 updates

Babysitting supply chain partners is a common theme. You can avoid this by having dedicated support.

If you work with a company who has various sales people managing your account or you’re working with someone who's unresponsive, your service will suffer.

When you have dedicated account managers you can be sure you'll have a partner that will help you work through any issues you may be having.

Contingencies

It is not your responsibility to have contingencies. You have plenty more things to worry about.

Your supply chain partner should have contingencies in place if any issues arise. Ask them, if something happens, do you have backups in place so I receive what I want, when I want it?

Sometimes scarcity plays a role, but at least you'll know that there's no contingencies in place and you can prepare on your end as well. Being prepared is a much needed asset.

Choose the right supply chain partner

The next and most overlooked step is choosing the right supply chain partner. If price is your only concern then you're going to lack in service.

When service suffers and more issues arise, you spend more money over time. Focus your attention on overall value being created. When you work with supply chain partners who create "wow" experiences you'll be much happier and see your TAT issues decline.

As you can see, reducing your TAT is about having a simple follow up plan backed by issue reporting and supported by a trustworthy supply chain partner.

Do you have TAT issues? Do you need to make your supply chain more efficient? We can help. Fill out the form below and we'll start making you a TAT rockstar.