It would do it without a government bailout. But unlike GM and Chrysler, Ford - under Mulally’s leadership - would save itself.Īgainst the backdrop of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Ford would restructure its global operations, remake its entire product lineup, reconnect with consumers and become one of the most profitable - and respected - automakers in the world. had been ceding market share to its foreign rivals since the early 1970s and was now on the brink of bankruptcy. Like its crosstown rivals, General Motors and Chrysler, Ford. hired Mulally, then president of Boeing Co.’s commercial aircraft division, to save his struggling car company. Now, there is a better way: Alan Mulally’s. But their success wasn’t always sustainable, and many did enormous damage to their employees, customers, business partners and companies in the process (I’m looking at you, Bob Nardelli).
They blew things up, including employees who found themselves on the wrong end of the “vitality curve.” Many members of the Jack pack achieved great success, at least in the short term.
Welch’s disciples trusted their guts and shot from the hip.
