Alan Mulally rallies the troops for a come back
'Everyone loves a comeback story. Let's work together to write the best one ever.' That's how Ford's new CEO, Alan Mulally, ended his first company-wide e-mail to Blue Oval employees on Friday.The e-mail, which can be read here, is one of the first definitive steps in asserting himself to Ford employees as the turnaround man that the automaker needs and judging by the text, he sees a long road ahead.
Mulally generalizes about the impending slog throughout his e-mail, identifying the various changes that need to take place to bring Ford back to viability and profitability. His plan for the future centers on a 'universally agreed to and understood business plan' that involves recognizing the ills of the automaker and making decisive changes to rectify those problems.
Aside from the expected job losses that will go through the end of summer next year, Mulally seems to acknowledge that one of the biggest problems is the entrenched bureaucracy within Ford's executive ranks. According to most reports, he won't stand for it and he's made the effort to bring in top-level execs on Thursdays (just Thursdays?) to answer questions and demand accountability.
Thankfully, his letter is strewn with encouraging words towards Ford's workforce and he genuinely seems to believe that there is a bright future for the automaker. To him, FoMoCo needs streamlining and focus (Euro, please), and this e-mail seems to exude that sense of leadership to all involved.
[Source: Detnews.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ZenDriver 9:30AM (10/17/2006)
Those sure were a lot of words used to say nothing...
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MikeW 12:21PM (10/17/2006)
If the F-150 is the bread and butter, why does it suck so much?
Here is how to fix it.
4x2, 5.4 V8 ZF 6hp26, 3.31 axle ratio
4x4, 4.6 3 valve V8, use aluminum block to compensate for the added weight of front drivetrain components~285hp, 300ft-lbs, ZF 6hp26, 4.1 axle ratio.
and fix the navigator/expedition. The ford is fine with 3.31 4x2, 3.73 4x4 axle ratios, the navigator needs 3.55 & 3.92 because it is overly heavy and not overly powered.
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iQuack 12:35PM (10/17/2006)
Uh, huh. It's safe to buy a Ford now. And pigs have wings and I'm the Easter Bunny!
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PJ 12:49PM (10/17/2006)
Nothing of substance in Mullaly's e-mail, but it's an effective pep talk. I'd be more optomistic if he had presented the beginnings of a product plan instead of just acknowledging that the company needs one.
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BLB 1:22PM (10/17/2006)
Import the European models (or make them in the U.S.) --that would be a big start there. At least GM is doing that with Saturn (Opel).
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That One Person 1:54PM (10/17/2006)
Yea Mike, the F-150 sucks so much. Thats why no one buys them...uh huh. I agree the truck needs the six speed. And yea, the Navi needs work. It looks better in person. But Ford needed to at least up the hp a little bit.
And iQuack, you sir are an idiot...
But yea, thats a pretty lame email. I guess its cool to get some motivation pumped into your workers but I think most of the workers will see this email as BS. But like PJ mentioned, telling them about a product plan would be more effective.
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Chris Goldrick 5:26PM (10/17/2006)
So, pardon me for starting right off the bat on a tangent, but has anybody noticed Airbus lately. They are in deep trouble with their jumbo-liner and are now expecting delays that could last for months. Not surprisingly, Airbus' clientele are furious, and some have even decided not to wait around. Meanwhile, Boeing has unveiled its 747 replacement and has taken orders from airlines that otherwise would be doing business with Airbus. Guess who was until rather recently the CEO of Boeing? Huh, you're right, it was Alan Mulally.
So what does all of this blabber have to do with Ford? Well if somebody can help bring back a large airline company from the brink, he can certainly do it with an auto company. And I also disagree with what has been written here. I think he recognizes that there is a long road ahead for Ford, but he is not doing anything radical yet. Presenting a product plan is no good if it doesn't have consensus, and thus support. What he has suggested is common business sense. If a company can act as one well-oiled machine, then it can concentrate on pumping out new, exciting models instead of fighting with itself. I see it as a good morale booster, because he mentions that everybody is involved, not just the suits, and that Ford had been in trouble and had pulled itself out once. If not once, why not again? Thanks to everybody who actually took the time to read this. Remember, it's only an opinion.
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iQuack 7:25PM (10/17/2006)
Hey, That One Person:
Yes, I was an idiot many years ago when I bought a Ford.
But I learned from that mistake and now ignore obvious automotive crap.
If you want to drive substandard junk, go ahead.
iQuack
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That One Person 9:07PM (10/17/2006)
Ok...so you base your CURRENT opinion of Ford on PAST mistakes? Just because your OLD Ford was crap, doesnt mean their NEW ones are. Yea, you are an idiot. If you think that way, why not hate Honda. Their cars used to be pure crap back in the 80s. Same with Toyota. And Hyundai.
Hell, hate Toyota for their little string of issues this year.
I drive a 1994 Buick Regal...probably the biggest piece of crap out there. But I like GM because their cars have changed a lot in 12 years. Same with Ford.
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iQuack 1:57AM (10/18/2006)
Again, Tiny Brain, if you want to buy a crappy Ford, go ahead and do it. You're free to drive junk if that's your preference.
Yeah, Ford is better now than it was many years ago, but it's still junk compared to just about everything else because all other cars have improved, too.
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