So, one of the main issues that people tend to have with management and tycoon sims is the sense of progression for the person/tycoon/manager themselves. For example, is making as much money as possible the only end-game? Then what’s the purpose of having to customize our own CEO’s looks and name? To that I say, why not bring personal progression that is tied to the airport’s progress? So something like this:
-
CEO’s skills
A CEO is often chosen because of his/her experience in managing. Therefore, when you set up your CEO’s profile for the first time, it makes sense that the years of managing a previous company has given your CEO certain skills that might be useful when managing an airport. For example, a CEO who majored and delved deeply into Operations would be able to boost efficiency of the entire operations. Meanwhile, a CEO who worked in the hospitality industry could boost the “pleasantness” of all their staffs. Or a CEO who came from a HR background could improve the way your staff manages their stress. -
Your CEO sets his/her own goals
A CEO is not a position appointed based on merit alone, rather he/she is entrusted with the keys of the company. That trust means that the owners/BoD/someone much higher sees a potential in choosing a particular CEO. This could be encapsulated by two mechanics borrowed from “X Manager” games. First, YOU set the goals of your game. When you first start the game, you have to choose what goals that you want your airport to fulfill within the next five years. For example, X number of stands, Y rating, Z profitability, etc. Second, YOU set your salary/bonus for the next five years. The baseline and limit of the salary/bonus is dependent on your goal. Third, your owner/Chairman would review your performance every 5 years. If you achieve/exceeds your goal, your salary will be fully liquidated (so it doesn’t affect the operating profit) and your bonus is cashed in accordance with the standard bonus + the excess. Failing to achieve the goal would result in your salary being paid in full but your bonus is withdrawn, plus your approval with the Board decreases. You then have the chance to propose new / adjust current goals, as well as propose your new baseline salary and bonus. -
Accounting “trick”
Of course, if you really don’t like your board members much and you’d prefer lining up your pockets more, there are other ways of making money. As suggested by our beloved community moderator @pderuiter in this thread CEO Payment and Achivments - #3 by Ellipsis, we could open the possibility of pocketing some of the “expenses” and “incomes” and split the earnings with our CFO. Of course, we’re going to censor how they collude on such undertaking, but it would definitely increase our expense and reduce our income, which would affect profitability. -
Personal actions
So now you have money. And you think to yourself, what can I spend my check on? The most easiest thing in mind is to chuck it in an investments account and have it grow, so you have a cash cushion for retirement. Yet, I propose having additional actions for your money. Say, use that money to entertain government officials to help push that Night Flight bill through the table. Or maybe, entertain a couple of airline executives to get better contract terms for the contract. Maybe spend a little money for some prestige objects like club memberships, apartments, or a little donation to a charity here and there? Or maybe a little self improvement, honing up your skills even more through master and/or executive classes? -
Retirement
But of course, a man does not toil for all his life. After a certain period of time, say 40/50 years (adjustable as an option in the beginning)(NOTE: or maybe make it an option, so the control is still on the player?), your CEO would eventually retire. Say, 3 years before your CEO quits, you’ll get an email from your Board member to choose who your new CEO would be. You then have a choice to choose one of your current executive members (CFO, CIO, etc.) to continue your mantle (and you assume control as them), or you can choose to appoint an outsider (create your new CEO, customize how he/she looks like and his/her name). Then, on the last day of your CEO’s work, you’d get an email/screen detailing how your CEO has performed throughout the years. The score is tallied simply based on the money your CEO has saved plus the prestige your CEO has earned throughout his life. -
“Forced” Retirement
Of course, not all retirement is voluntary, especially if your approval with the Board member tanked. Under such case, the CEO will be given 3 days to clear out his/her desk, and a new, randomized CEO character is appointed to take on the mantle. The performance of your CEO is also tallied, but be sure that the score wouldn’t be as high. -
Sandbox mode, aka Owner mode
The question then, what about sandbox mode? Of course we want to have the freedom to build things, and not be constrained by silly 5 year plans. That’s why, in Sandbox mode, you are more than the CEO: Your are the owner. That means no need to set up goals, no need to set up successor, you can use your airport’s money for those personal actions, etc.
Sorry for the long read, TL;DR make you feel that you are role-playing the CEO.