Thursday, June 11, 2009

Au contraire, Mr. Rattner

Tuesday's selection of Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. to be Chairman of the "new GM" is starting to make a little more sense after reading today's story http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/business/11auto.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1244728921-+2dCjpiPUSmxex6n6dmDWQ by Michelle Maynard at The New York Times.

Auto Czar Steve Rattner was behind the decision to appoint Whitacre, according to the Times. Which still begs the question: Why do you need a search firm to find him? But that's beside the point.

In reference to changing GM's insular culture, Mr. Rattner says, “It’s not uncomplicated...We hope and believe that it can take place.”

If 'not uncomplicated' means lacking complexity, then this guy is all wrong. Changing GM's culture will require changing behavior, which can be complex and extremely difficult to do. Especially when the old guard remains in place calling the shots with a Chairman of the Board who has no real turnaround or expertise dealing with contemporary change.

This situation is shaping up to be a real albatross from every conceivable point of view. Sooner everyone wakes up and snaps to, the better.

Oh, and while that hopefully happens, someone please put a temporary halt to those slick ads, which should not run until re-emergence from bankruptcy. The last part of the TV spot even references "going back to Chapter One." What a bad choice of words. Guys, you're in Chapter 11 right now in case no one noticed. It's now impossible now to go back to first base.

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