On Bailouts and Sports Car
Post about the Automobile industry are clearly outside of usual topics on this blog but I thought this article was interesting especially given the current state of the US.
I think it provides a clear example of the type of attitude toward change and innovation that has driven the big 3 automakers into near collapse followed by a pretty clear analysis proving that the NY Times author is not a forward thinker.
Read Jason Calacanis’ response to an article that was published by the New York Times (original story) about the Tesla (an electric car (100%) manufactured in the US by Tesla Motors).
Bailouts for the big three
US Corporations lead by old thinking leaders are a large part of the big 3′s issue. Those that operate a business at that level should know all there is to know about their business, they should see the shortcomings and storms ahead. Maybe not solo but they should have a strong team in place to do so. If they cannot figure out how to do these things, they shouldn’t be leading at that level!
The worker bees, lower level management, and associates / craft / union workers are held to the minimum standard of being able to perform their duties or else, why are senior leaders not held to this standard?
I beleive we simply have to look ahead. We need to embrace innovative thinkers and creative ideas and take some chances. To continue to do the same things because, “we have alwasy done it the way”, is not a reason to avoid attempting to improve things with innovation.
For the sake of the people on the ground that would be impacted if the big 3 folded, I think the bailout is needed. Having said that, the conditions that accompany a bailout should dictate that the business NOT be run the way it has for 40 years but that it be run in a manner consistent with meeting today’s challenges.
