Magazine Ultimate Jet #74

INTERVIEW I 50
All these years later, do you think it is different to sell in what is still a
male-dominated aviation environment?
If anything, I think we have a different approach as women. Buying
an aircraft is always something of an emotional process. I find it’s
maybe a little easier to develop a relationship with the customer—
maybe there is a little less ego involved. Customer relationships are
the joy in the business, and I’ve found great acceptance across all
the cultures in my sales region. To a large extent (maybe not totally)
we’re in a different era where women can compete in traditionally
male fields.
What are you most excited about at Dassault?
We’ll be rolling out an all-new airplane soon, the Falcon 6X. It sets a
new standard in cabin dimensions, comfort, efficiency and capability.
It has expanded digital flight control capabilities, imparting easier
handling--for steep approaches, for example--and greater safety.
Customers are excited to hear about it and curious to see it for
themselves. And as you know there are new programs in the works.
As a salesperson, I’ll always have something new to talk about with
customers.
Last question: What’s it like to pet a cheetah? That’s something we saw
about you in a social media posting.
Unforgettable. Scary and exciting and furry at the same time. That
was five years ago. I was volunteering at a school in South Africa
for kids infected with or affected by AIDS. And we had an outing to
a wildlife preserve. I think it is symbolic of how we should approach
new experiences. If you have the chance, pet the cheetah.
More about Dassault Falcon