"Second, we have to make the most of the strengths we have, the amenities that many of our competitors cannot replicate. But again, those advantages won't mean much if we don't do a great job with the basics of our business"
About this Quote
The intent is managerial triage. In mature, operationally complex industries like airlines (Arpey ran American Airlines), leaders are constantly pitched on shiny levers: premium cabins, loyalty programs, route networks, lounges, brand heritage. “Amenities” signals those customer-facing perks that look great in marketing decks and quarterly calls. But Arpey’s subtext is almost anti-marketing: none of that survives contact with delayed flights, lost bags, inconsistent service, and cost discipline. In industries with thin margins and high fixed costs, the “basics” aren’t basic at all; they’re the difference between a pleasant narrative and a viable business.
The repetition of “again” suggests this is a refrain, not a revelation - the kind of message executives repeat when they sense the organization wants permission to skip the unglamorous work. It’s also a subtle cultural critique: companies love to believe they’re special. Arpey is saying: you might be. Prove it by nailing the boring stuff.
Quote Details
| Topic | Management |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Arpey, Gerard. (2026, January 15). Second, we have to make the most of the strengths we have, the amenities that many of our competitors cannot replicate. But again, those advantages won't mean much if we don't do a great job with the basics of our business. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/second-we-have-to-make-the-most-of-the-strengths-154464/
Chicago Style
Arpey, Gerard. "Second, we have to make the most of the strengths we have, the amenities that many of our competitors cannot replicate. But again, those advantages won't mean much if we don't do a great job with the basics of our business." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/second-we-have-to-make-the-most-of-the-strengths-154464/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Second, we have to make the most of the strengths we have, the amenities that many of our competitors cannot replicate. But again, those advantages won't mean much if we don't do a great job with the basics of our business." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/second-we-have-to-make-the-most-of-the-strengths-154464/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
