The New Heat On Ford, Business Week June 4, 2007

By Greg McDonald

David Kiley of Business Week delivers a great article on Alan Mulally the new CEO of Ford Motor Company. Mulally has been branded “the most feared outsider in Detroit” at least until Cerberus camealong with their purchase of Chrysler.

Alan Mulally is a huge breath of fresh air. His dissatisfaction for the status quo and Ford’s management’s tendency of rationalizing mistakes instead of fixing them is turning the culture upside down. With Ford fighting for it’s life after losing $12.7 billion last year, most analysts are not convinced that Mulally can turn around the auto giant in time to deliver a profit by his stated goal of 2009.

William Ford Jr. has demonstrated insightful decision making by bringing in a seasoned outsider. He has given Mulally permission to hold everyone’s feet to the fire. It is no accident that Ford choose Mulally as he is widely credited with Boeings dramatic turn around afterthe events of September 11.

We believe that Mulally will be successful in the turn around of the Ford Motor Company because of his unwavering passion to create a results oriented culture.

This is a must read article on reversing the status quo.

Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:05:47 EST