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New GM chief-I don't know anything about cars

Started by Gardengirl, June 10, 2009, 12:27:08 PM

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Gardengirl

June 10, 2009, 12:27:08 PM
When people fear the government, that is called tyranny
When the government fears its people, that is called liberty

Bo D

#1
June 10, 2009, 12:38:41 PM
So?

I work for an IT company. The CEO knows little to nothing about computers. His job is to run the business.

BTW, in my thirty years in the IT business, I have found that this situation is the norm, not the exception.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."  Carl Sagan

followsthewolf

#2
June 10, 2009, 12:48:39 PM
And the President/Chancellor of a university cannot possibly know each and every field taught there. His/her job is to raise funds, keep the university running on an even keel, shmooze the politicals and political wannabes, soothe egos, keep the university solvent, etc.

Much like a corporate head, whose business is business, no matter what the product produced and sold.
Ignorance and fanaticism are ravenous. They require constant feeding.

Bo D

#3
June 10, 2009, 12:57:49 PM
Quote from: followsthewolf on June 10, 2009, 12:48:39 PM
And the President/Chancellor of a university cannot possibly know each and every field taught there. His/her job is to raise funds, keep the university running on an even keel, shmooze the politicals and political wannabes, soothe egos, keep the university solvent, etc.

Much like a corporate head, whose business is business, no matter what the product produced and sold.

Yes! Thank you! Even better example!
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."  Carl Sagan

Palehorse

#4
June 10, 2009, 01:01:53 PM
Unfortunately I have a bit of a problem with this guy myself, specifically because he sits on the Board of Exxon and Burlington Northern - Santa Fe railroad.

The potential for conflict of interest seems rather obvious to me. . . But perhaps I am a bit too skeptical. . .
R.I.P. - followsthewolf - You are MISSED! 4/17/2013

That which fails to kill me. . .should run!

Any "point" made by one that lacks credibility, is only as useful as toilet paper; and serves the same purpose. ~ Palehorse 4/22/2017

May you find charity when it is needed, and the ability to extend it when it is not. ~Palehorse 7/4/2012

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.~Herman Melville

Bo D

#5
June 10, 2009, 01:20:05 PM
Quote from: Palehorse on June 10, 2009, 01:01:53 PM
Unfortunately I have a bit of a problem with this guy myself, specifically because he sits on the Board of Exxon and Burlington Northern - Santa Fe railroad.

The potential for conflict of interest seems rather obvious to me. . . But perhaps I am a bit too skeptical. . .

Legitimate concern, of course. But for anyone to oppose him because he doesn't "know anything about cars" is the epitome of idiocy.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."  Carl Sagan

Palehorse

#6
June 10, 2009, 01:21:50 PM
"Whitacre is a board member of Exxon Mobile and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe."

http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/personnel/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217800381

One source for my statement, JIC. . .

R.I.P. - followsthewolf - You are MISSED! 4/17/2013

That which fails to kill me. . .should run!

Any "point" made by one that lacks credibility, is only as useful as toilet paper; and serves the same purpose. ~ Palehorse 4/22/2017

May you find charity when it is needed, and the ability to extend it when it is not. ~Palehorse 7/4/2012

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.~Herman Melville

Palehorse

#7
June 10, 2009, 01:26:43 PM
Quote from: Bo D on June 10, 2009, 01:20:05 PM
. . . But for anyone to oppose him because he doesn't "know anything about cars" is the epitome of idiocy.

Agreed. But one would think that he should resign from those two boards prior to taking the helm, and given his Bio he may very well do just that. (It wouldn't surprise me if he did it himself, and in fact instill a much increased faith in him if he did).

Although I am not convinced that AT&T is such a great company, it is hard to argue with his record and accomplishments / numbers.

That potential for conflict of interest is a big one in my view though. Trust no one!
R.I.P. - followsthewolf - You are MISSED! 4/17/2013

That which fails to kill me. . .should run!

Any "point" made by one that lacks credibility, is only as useful as toilet paper; and serves the same purpose. ~ Palehorse 4/22/2017

May you find charity when it is needed, and the ability to extend it when it is not. ~Palehorse 7/4/2012

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.~Herman Melville

followsthewolf

#8
June 10, 2009, 02:36:12 PM
If the "system" in business works as it should (and doesn't become an inbred family), the skill (or lack of it) in directing the company should be the litmus test of the ceo's retention.

The shareholders are responsible for keeping the board of directors and the upper management honest.

If they don't, their stock becomes worthless, while they let the bloated thieves walk away with huge wallets.

Their collective fault. They have the power to vote. If they don't get involved with their investments......................oh, well.

And, PH, by the way, the fact he is on Exxon's board is a tad troubling for me, too.
Ignorance and fanaticism are ravenous. They require constant feeding.

Exterminator

#9
June 10, 2009, 03:31:23 PM
It's ok, GG; you don't know anything about anything but we still let you post here.
Arguing with Christians is like playing chess with a pigeon.  No matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock over the pieces, shit on the board and strut around like it's victorious.

The truth is slow, but relentless. Over time it becomes irresistible.

Mr442

#10
June 10, 2009, 03:45:28 PM
Quote from: Bo D on June 10, 2009, 01:20:05 PM
Legitimate concern, of course. But for anyone to oppose him because he doesn't "know anything about cars" is the epitome of idiocy.

Maybe not, the idiots that got GM to where it is today, were not car guys.  When GM was thriving, it was lead by car guys who had a gut instinct for what  the customer wanted.  The past ass-hats in charge didn't have a clue, so here we are today.

Yeah, I'm still pissed over them dropping Oldsmobile, another decision by a non car guy.  Saturn should have gotten the boot instead.
Mr442

Bo D

#11
June 10, 2009, 03:58:18 PM
Quote from: Mr442 on June 10, 2009, 03:45:28 PM
Maybe not, the idiots that got GM to where it is today, were not car guys.  When GM was thriving, it was lead by car guys who had a gut instinct for what  the customer wanted.  The past ass-hats in charge didn't have a clue, so here we are today.

Yeah, I'm still pissed over them dropping Oldsmobile, another decision by a non car guy.  Saturn should have gotten the boot instead.

Maybe we should agree on the definition for "car guy." IMHO, the title of the thread (and the title of the article) seemed to infer that the guy should be like a garage mechanic. Not that that's a bad thing, of course. I just think that the garage mechanic may be a little under-qualified to run a large corporation.  ;)
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."  Carl Sagan

Exterminator

#12
June 10, 2009, 03:59:40 PM
Quote from: Bo D on June 10, 2009, 03:58:18 PM
I just think that the garage mechanic may be a little under-qualified to run a large corporation.  ;)

Oh, now come on...
Arguing with Christians is like playing chess with a pigeon.  No matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock over the pieces, shit on the board and strut around like it's victorious.

The truth is slow, but relentless. Over time it becomes irresistible.

Henry Hawk

#13
June 10, 2009, 04:00:36 PM
Quote from: Exterminator on June 10, 2009, 03:31:23 PM
It's ok, GG; you don't know anything about anything but we still let you post here.


:confused:
"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 - It all makes sense to me now...


"The future ain't what it used to be."– Yogi Berra

"Square roots are rarely found on any plant." FTW

Bo D

#14
June 10, 2009, 04:01:14 PM
Quote from: Exterminator on June 10, 2009, 03:59:40 PM
Oh, now come on...

I'm just trying to be nice and get along, Dude. I see his point too.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."  Carl Sagan
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