For 25 years, we've been helping to "simplify the business of business aviation" by teaching aviation managers to speak the language of business. Learn more by viewing our videos below.
Podcast Guest Segment: Mental Health Challenges of Working in Business Aviation & Getting to Great
Watch and Listen in on a segment of the Business Aviation Collective Podcast where host Lindsay Dyer and Jim Lara from Gray Stone Advisors discuss the mental health of team members and how a positive mindset is vital to success in an aviation department. They explore the role of leadership within the aviation unit, particularly in the scheduling and dispatch department, in inspiring team members and setting a positive tone for the organization.
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Podcast Guest Segment: Giving Back & Managing Work/Life Balance in Business Aviation
Watch and Listen in on a segment of the Business Aviation Collective Podcast where host Lindsay Dyer and Jim Lara from Gray Stone Advisors discuss the significant challenge of maintaining work-life balance in business and private aviation, particularly for schedulers and dispatchers. They also discuss the importance of giving back through mentorship and intentionally passing knowledge to junior team members.
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Podcast Guest Segment: Communication Skills & Credibility in the Aviation Department
Watch and Listen in on a segment of the Business Aviation Collective Podcast where host Lindsay Dyer and Jim Lara from Gray Stone Advisors discuss the importance of taking personal initiative, as well as how team members can build communication skills and master communication with senior executives. They explore how a proactive approach not only benefits an aviation department by improving communication and planning, but also positions the dispatch and scheduling team as key players in an organization.
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Podcast Guest Segment: Networking, Relationships, & Mentorship in Business Aviation
Watch and Listen in on a segment of the Business Aviation Collective Podcast where host Lindsay Dyer and Jim Lara from Gray Stone Advisors delve into the effectiveness of networking and mentorship for all aviation professionals. They explore how mentorship really works, and why business aviation schedulers and dispatchers should aim to be the central hub and social nexus within their aviation departments.
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NBAA BACE Conference 2021 – 3 Key Pillars Of Leadership
Jim Lara of Gray Stone Advisors was the MC for a packed session at the NBAA BACE conference on October 13th, 2021. The topic was “Getting Your Boss to Yes.” THe panelists were Candace Covington of Adobe and Mackenzie Smith of American Express. Trade Secrets were revealed!
If you want to view the full session, the NBAA is providing a virtual seat here.
To talk with Gray Stone Advisors candidly about your challenges in managing up, or frankly any impediment to success – call them directly at 1-865-357-5077.
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NBAA BACE Conference 2021 – Getting The Headcount You Need
Jim Lara of Gray Stone Advisors was the MC for a packed session at the NBAA BACE conference on October 13th, 2021. The topic was “Getting Your Boss to Yes.” THe panelists were Candace Covington of Adobe and Mackenzie Smith of American Express. Trade Secrets were revealed!
If you want to view the full session, the NBAA is providing a virtual seat here.
To talk with Gray Stone Advisors candidly about your challenges in managing up, or frankly any impediment to success – call them directly at 1-865-357-5077.
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NBAA BACE Conference 2021 – Getting The Budget You Need
Jim Lara of Gray Stone Advisors was the MC for a packed session at the NBAA BACE conference on October 13th, 2021. The topic was “Getting Your Boss to Yes.” THe panelists were Candace Covington of Adobe and Mackenzie Smith of American Express. Trade Secrets were revealed!
If you want to view the full session, the NBAA is providing a virtual seat here.
To talk with Gray Stone Advisors candidly about your challenges in managing up, or frankly any impediment to success – call them directly at 1-865-357-5077.
View
NBAA BACE Conference 2021 – How to Be A Great Influencer
Jim Lara of Gray Stone Advisors was the MC for a packed session at the NBAA BACE conference on October 13th, 2021. The topic was “Getting Your Boss to Yes.” THe panelists were Candace Covington of Adobe and Mackenzie Smith of American Express. Trade Secrets were revealed!
If you want to view the full session, the NBAA is providing a virtual seat here.
To talk with Gray Stone Advisors candidly about your challenges in managing up, or frankly any impediment to success – call them directly at 1-865-357-5077.
View
NBAA BACE Conference 2021 – Getting Your Boss to Yes
Jim Lara of Gray Stone Advisors was the MC for a packed session at the NBAA BACE conference on October 13th, 2021. The topic was “Getting Your Boss to Yes.” THe panelists were Candace Covington of Adobe and Mackenzie Smith of American Express. Trade Secrets were revealed!
If you want to view the full session, the NBAA is providing a virtual seat here.
To talk with Gray Stone Advisors candidly about your challenges in managing up, or frankly any impediment to success – call them directly at 1-865-357-5077.
View
Client Experience: Red Tail Flight Academy
Hear how Gray Stone Advisors helped the Tuskegee-inspired Red Tail Flight Academy at a critical crossroads in their operations. The Flight Academy provides aviation opportunity for aspiring aviators of color and is based at New York State’s Stewart International Airport.
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SOLS: Speaking With Your Principal – Expectations Teaser Video
The NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) puts on a Small Operator Learning Series (SOLS) in which our principal, Jim Lara, participated. The topic was Effective Communications with Your Principal and the takeaways were many. Give a listen to the NBAA’s teaser for this event that took place on March 16th, 2021. The event was meant to help managers be more professional and clear-cut when talking to their bosses. If this has whetted your appetite, go here to read a blog on the very same subject!
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CFBAA Speaker Series Presents – Jim Lara Gray Stone Advisors
Join CFBAA for a virtual chat with Jim Lara, Founder and Principal of Gray Stone Advisors. Jim brings over forty years of experience helping Business Aviation leaders develop high-performing individuals and teams, align those teams with their enterprise’s goals, and enable operations to regain stability, traction and profitability.
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What is a Current State Assessment from Gray Stone Advisors?
Dozens of aviation directors have relied upon Gray Stone Advisors to take a broad and comprehensive look at their entire aviation organization.
The end-result is a totally objective and fact-based assessment of “how goes it” — from one end of the flight department to the other.
Following completion of the Current State Assessment™, your organization will have a baseline from which to measure its performance with respect to all expectations placed upon it.
This report provides a reference point from which progress, change and growth can be measured.
Both Part 91 and Part 135 aviation organizations can benefit from a Current State Assessment.
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How is Gray Stone Advisors a ‘Catalyst for Change’ for Flight Departments?
Senior Advisor Steve Brechter defines how Gray Stone Advisors serves as a “Catalyst for Change” within business aviation flight departments. This is done by teaching business skills to highly skilled technical people and helping align the aviation team with the aviation reporting executive and corporate office.
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Why Engage Gray Stone Advisors to Assist your Aviation Department?
Gray Stone’s Senior Advisor of Operations, Steve Brechter, explains the business benefits, including the ability to develop performance metrics and improving alignment between the flight department and corporation.
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How Business Aviation Flight Departments Can Engage in Fleet Planning
How should corporate flight departments engage in fleet planning? Jim Lara and Steve Brechter from Gray Stone Advisors advise business aviation leaders and reporting executives on the process.
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Financial Modeling and Predictive Metrics for Corporate Flight Departments
How can I create a financial model and predictive metrics for my flight department? Jim Lara and Steve Brechter of Gray Stone Advisors share how they work with directly with corporate flight departments, corporate finance and corporate accounting to create a chart of accounts that meet their needs.
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How to Improve Business Performance for your Business Aviation Organization
What’s the best way to ensure long-lasting business performance for your business aviation organization? By getting focused on why you exist, why you’re in business. Gray Stone Advisors’ Steve Brechter talks about how flight departments can improve business performance.
ViewPraise for our Articles and e-Newsletter, The Advisor
Doug Schwartz Manager, Global Aviation Services, ConocoPhillips
"The Advisor newsletters have been great. They always contain useful and thought provoking material, are short easy reads and well constructed. I get about 200 emails a day and delete many without reading them. I always read these. Good work."
Joe Loccisano (formerly Director of Maintenance, CSC Transport)
"Your aviation maintenance metrics article is spot on. We tend to focus on getting the job done, focusing on speed and quality. You have taught us that the measurement and documentation of the accomplishments are VERY important downtown [at corporate]. They (executives) need to be shown the value we provide in terms they can understand. It truly is the only way for them to justify our existence and appreciate the service we provide. Your entire site should be required reading for all flight departments in my opinion."