Monday, January 23, 2006
This "Barb" is at Bill Ford and those around him that appear to be completely overwhelmed in their responsibilities to shareholders, customers and yes, employees. Way Forward is in reality the 3rd installment of Ford's restructuring woes. How many times must you make the same mistake before realizing that perhaps we haven't adequately identified the problem?
First, the automobile industry, by nature, is cyclical. While riding several of the recent upturns, Ford chose to go on a spending spree buying such brand names as Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Aston Martin. Is the point becoming clear? At the very least, management has the responsibility to position the company for these cycles. That means to reserve resources during the good times in order soften the not so good times. This IS what management is supposed to do.
The REAL Way Forward can be found in "just in time manufacturing". Lower investment in inventory thru flexible production, materials procurement and payroll. Without addressing the real issues facing the Ford Motor Company, we should expect future installments to Bill Ford's continuing saga "Way Forward".
First, the automobile industry, by nature, is cyclical. While riding several of the recent upturns, Ford chose to go on a spending spree buying such brand names as Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Aston Martin. Is the point becoming clear? At the very least, management has the responsibility to position the company for these cycles. That means to reserve resources during the good times in order soften the not so good times. This IS what management is supposed to do.
The REAL Way Forward can be found in "just in time manufacturing". Lower investment in inventory thru flexible production, materials procurement and payroll. Without addressing the real issues facing the Ford Motor Company, we should expect future installments to Bill Ford's continuing saga "Way Forward".
Labels: Floundering Ford
