Good Essay On Bryce Hoffman’s Book Review

Basing on the leadership qualities of Alan Mulally at Ford Company, the internship period at Amigos Wine Company provided a lot of experience in making business plans and capital investment strategies. Additionally, as an intern at Wine Company, I was able to negotiate with contractors in various nations such as Canada to export red and ice wine to China. Ultimately, this capitalized on global demand for high end products of the company. Thus, there is relatively close linkage between the strategies planned by Mulally for Ford and strategic plans made in Amigos Wine Company. Owing to the experience attained when he was the CEO of Boeing Company, Mulally was able to positively change the style and quality of Ford products. Subsequently, the lessons learnt after working for Jiaxinnuo Supply Chain Company and Guangdong Chenganxin Accounting CO. LTD indicate that the challenges faced by Ford are common. The only difference is how to handle and make efficient strategies to achieve set targets.
Allan Mulally’s leadership efforts were focused at saving Ford. The key goal that guided Mulally in his work is for Ford to make the best cars in the world and attain profitable growth for all. The coming of Mulally to the Ford Motor company from the Boeing Company let to the Ford pulling back to the track. He is uniquely successful CEO since not one has ever achieved greater success at the nation’s number two automaker. In particular Mulally reinstated the company employees relation, he brought together parties who never communicated to each other before. Just like at Amigo Wine, team work is essential and driving force for success. Similarly, the contributions of Mulally as evident in the team spirit he created hence enfeebling Ford to swiftly produce a variety of products faster than before. Mulally organizes meetings that ensure the associates are often connected and to be ready to solve matters and ensure the projects are back on course. His believe of not ‘letting diversity to overcome him (Ford & Crowther 43). The extreme limits Mulally understood include mortgaging the entire worth so that he may identify the company.
Generally, the management dimension is to help the company back to track as it adopts policies and strategies that would otherwise impact on the economic development. Indeed, the descriptions of events in the book translate to what is happening in the contemporary world. It also relates to what I experienced in various companies. The challenges faced by Ford Corporation and other powerful automobile companies indicate how managers and strategists should be vigilant in handling various market issues. In the context of my work experience in the current market environment, it is evident that competition has increased. In this regard, the book suggests various mitigations that a company and its top management ought to take in order to survive in the market.
At the Liaoning Yinsheng Tech LTD as an assistant manager were I had bigger role to play, for example, I negotiated with Alibaba Group concerning establishing “china.taobao.com” and taobao e-commerce training school in Liaoning. This relates with Ford job description as I was to create spreadsheets using excel to help in understanding the project I utilized power point presentation when negotiating with the Alibaba group. Similarly, Ford tasked team leader to often prepare a presentation which would last for five minutes. Additionally, it helped in advancing the business strategy by adopting the modern e-commerce online selling strategy as compared to the offline store selling. This improved of the level production.
American Icon illustrates how the Big Three Corporations still dominated for a while irrespective of the competition. The key secret for their dominance is that the three had several factories, many workers as well as too many dealers. As such, it was difficult for their competitors to supersede them. Another significant pillar that boosted Ford as per the book is vibrant and skilled management. The top management of the company had the skills to negotiate in the right time to acquire generous union contracts. Acquisition of such contracts brought gigantic legacy costs that their rivals from foreign nations could not tolerate.
There is no apparent doubt that the key concern for its downfall was due to management related issues. When Bill Ford took over the leadership of the company, things looked positive from the start. Bill transformed the company and soon quality of designs improved. In that connection, Ford was the first automobile company to introduce a hybrid to the market. Most of the company products that were initially criticized started to gain fame. Technically, it is clear that leadership is a critical factor in any company. Comparing the class work with the case of Ford Company, two core concerns emerge. First, just like it is observed in the modern day, quality is the backbone and driving force of a company (Ford, Henry, Michele & Howard 96). For a company to excel the quality is paramount. As a matter of fact, competition is growing day-by-day; hence customers will opt for a company that takes quality and service delivery into consideration. Another concern is the company leadership and objectives. Often an organization or corporation with well-trained and skilled management will apparently survive in a rough environment.
Based on the book, the rising prices of gasoline can be blamed for Ford’s fall. The increasing prices of gasoline scared customers from purchasing sports utility and huge trucks. Unfortunately, these vehicles were held the biggest share of Ford’s profits. Moreover, Hoffman in American Icon continues to say that Ford could not control their workers. In essence, most workers in the company concentrated more on individual advancement rather than focusing on corporate success that is the core value. Paying attention to the success and progress of the company is always the prime aspect in boosting a company.
The book also describes how the executive tried to hamper with the efforts of one another. According to the lessons learned from the class and the experience obtained from work, cooperation is relatively necessary. The leaders of the company ought to serve as an example to the junior employees. Therefore, the executive should cooperate and work together for the betterment of the company (Ingrassia 79). On the other hand, as the book states, workers on the factory floor interfered with the smooth operations of the company. The workers led by their union leaders demanded tremendous benefits, thus hindering the attempts to increase productivity.
American Icon and the fight to save Ford also give an insight on how Ford resorted to tapping Mark Fields to restructure the North American automotive business. Fields designed strategies in an attempt to uplift the company. As a skillful manager, Fields closed down some of the factories for efficiency. Similarly, he cut down the number of company employees. Nevertheless, the efforts were futile and could not bore any fruits. In fact, Japan’s Toyota Corporation had surpassed Ford in the United States.
Further, the volunteer services I offered at VITA exposed me to the local employees were I helped in income tax report preparation. At the orphanage, I volunteer as English teacher, this is similar to the Ford job execution as the company desires experience and sufficient exposure to the market. The sense of leadership came up when participated at the Syracuse University as an accounting program tutor, in this manner I helped solve student problems. At Ford, problem solving is of high essence, Mulally was a problem solver, I was a liaison between the professors and students too. My volunteer program at the Global China Connection gave me an opportunity to help members diversify by learning the American culture. At Ford, employee come from different background and often requires learn the culture of the company.
In 2001, Bill Ford became the company executive director. According to Bill, the company was going to make $7 billion by the year 2006. But things became relatively opposite. The company was instead making losses about the same amount promised by Bill. This tells how Ford was suffering. Bankruptcy was the only thing awaiting the company. At the same time, the other companies; Chrysler and GM had the same problems. It was postulated that they can correct their mistakes. Chrysler, for instance, had an alliance with German automaker. Notably, it is paramount to leaders to make long-term plans that would be embraced by the company when faced with such problems. Indeed, even according to my work experience, it is vital to have alliances or collaborate with other domestic or foreign companies to succeed.
Ford’s scenario provides almost the same situation that could be observed during the current leadership. It is,, therefore, the mandate of the management to guarantee success of the organization or company. Training has been noted as one of the principal strategies for success. Through training leaders, as well as the workers of the company, will stem upwards and surpass competitors. Just like Bill Fords in the given scenario, leaders must be committed to their tasks. My experience in Amigosa Wine Company is more or less the same as the one illustrated by Hoffman. My leadership skills in Amigos Wine Company enabled me to negotiate with a contractor in Canada. This deal increased international demand for company wine in China.
Similarly, I worked as Audit Assistant for Guangdong Chenganxin Accounting Company limited. I was able to help the project manager in making and auditing annual financial statements. In addition, I used my leadership skills to stimulate cross-train with other workers through the maintenance of proactive work ethic. To ensure efficiency, I communicated early with other company departments to avail important documents such as a confirmation letter. This eased the workload of the top management thus bringing efficiency in the company (Hoffman 109). The situation presented by Hoffman in American Icon, is a case that can easily occur in any company that does not take into consideration its leadership.
According to Hoffman, Ford may not have been able to observe its mistakes and learn from them. Ford was indeed a survivor. Basing on the arguments of automobile experts, Ford falls but can still be seen fighting hard within the market. In this case, leaders and company at large should learn from past mistakes. At Amigos Wine Company, we faced challenges but being guided by previous failures and the company was able to withstand several obstacles. During the time of Henry Ford, the company had a huge sum of debts. But due to his entrepreneurial and leadership skills, he managed to negotiate with investors who boosted the company in paying some of the debts.
Bill Ford on his part showed dedication to the company. His commitment was evidenced by the fact that he was present at work each day. Bill acted as a role model for other workers. Comparatively, it is paramount to managers to commit their time and efforts to work. At the same time, they set pace for company employees. My experience at Jiaxinnuo Supply Chain Company taught me a special lesson concerning commitment. As junior workers, our morale was initiated by those in top management. Their support and decision-making molded the junior leaders and other employees to dedicate all their expertise to the company. In that connection, the lessons learned from Ford Motor Company can instill leaders to make long-term and effective strategies.
Organization and management are evident since the Ford public relations team work tirelessly to ensure the company is on its feet in meeting the client’s needs and demands. The innovativeness and creativity employed boosted their sales in the market as they capitalized in giving feedback on the report cards to draw more attention to the ready market. The information feed to the public would have otherwise been ignored. The communications officers typically ensured the source of information was obtained surreptitiously in that it would be deemed relevant and worthy of making news.
Similarly, the scenario of the company relates to the experience gained at Guangdong Chenganxin Accounting Co. Ltd since from the start the auditing and budgeting of the company resources and finance took center stage. They use proper and accepted accounting standards in evaluating the performance and financial position of the organization. Ideally, Ford Company headed by Henry Ford converged at the Greenfield to discuss matters concerning ford motor company. Any business entity requires frequent meetings in order to find solutions to answers. There is the need to discuss the issues that affected the organization was intended to ensure the proper running of the company. Even though Bill Ford had intended to step aside in the automaker executive position, it was not an ideal solution. There was the need to ensure the ‘consistency of purpose’ that means the politics that affects the internal environment of the company need to stop (Hoffman 209). Smooth transition were essential since the heirs will take the top management level so that they have a final say in the prime decisions that concerns the company.
It is often necessary to employ the outside resources or external advisers for the development of the company. The decisions to employ Mulally depicted the need to generate the ideal solution for the organization as the family disagreement would have otherwise jeopardized the business entity. In essence, the rivalry between the family members especially Sheila and Bill resulted in tough wars. The fight to see the success of Ford indicate the essence of letting the business run on its own with an external adviser chipping in to ensure the organization does not fall off the market.
Similar to experience learned the need for the preparation in auditing the company financial and meeting the need of the clients, ford motor company typically generated more stability. The transition process of various generations indicates the essence of the company improving its management level since as a newer generation comes in there tend to be an improvement in the company performance. Similarly, the company uses the new developments in expanding the business. The profit gained helped the company open other new branches to meet the market demands. The company threshold expanded as it was deemed relevant to the employee the services of a neutral.
The strategic goal to see the Company have three firms by early 2007, the organization presented Perella Weinberg Parners, Boutique Investment Bank, and Peter Weinberg. The different firms had full management personnel to indicate the strength of having a corporate entity that needed advice in the asset management and financial utilization (Bayou & Korvin 121). Furthermore, the essence of rebranding the company showed the application of marketing mechanisms that Ford lucked during its initial stages. The inside look at the book relates the experience underwent as the Ford company applies the need for meetings whenever there is crisis sin the organization. This will then help in easing the hot environment especially when there is friction between employees or the top management. Ford motor company is no exception, it faces difficulties and challenges, for example, Mulally were disappointed with Mark Shulz. The company issues concern the top management on the failure to have an open forum where issues are sorted amicable. In my experience, the duties one is assigned to deliver the soberness of an individual. Shulz in this tend to ignore the bosses commands and directions, for example, and a limit of slides is issue that each should present, and Shulz goes to an end to bring twice the number.
According to the experience that attained at the Amigos Wine Company it is apparent that companies development business plans that are utilized in the planning process of the company. The budgeting tends to illustrate the fiancé allocation that the company intends to spend in the coming financial year. The projection tables tend to be intentional since they are meant to attract investors invests in the start-up capital and attained partners in business. Ford motors often release the financial statements to ensure the transparency in the running of the company (Hoffman 322). The appropriate marketed mix is employed so that the gross profit is higher than the expenditure hence the company can pay itself and meet other expenses. Amigos Company had generated a gross profit of about $ 40000 during the financial year 2012/2013. The company, furthermore, involved the customers in filling the banking document that included loans, deposits, mortgages and insurance forms this helped in elevating pressure by about 10%.
In storm warning scenario, the motor company prepared itself as the period was facing an economic meltdown. According to Henry Ford, in every depression that a manufacturer faces there is the need to put more effort into the business. The company figured out on the alternative to suppressing the economic crisis faced by American. The experience meshes with the book further on the perspective in the negotiation of supply chain that would oversee the swift distribution of the company products to the final market. As a student assistant in accounting, Jiaxinnuo Supply Chain Company collaborates with the service provider in allowing higher margins on the company margins. The partnership of the company in the collection of data illustrates the essence of incorporating the operation mechanisms in calculating the monthly income statement to ensure the accuracy. The digitization is also apparent in the ford motor company particular in the supply chain management in the issue of receipts. This projection has made the decision-making process to be firm and better.
The company management policy stipulates how the company should run its affairs. The management reserves the right to fire and hire. The hard work that is put into the Ford Motors company is evident, for example, Mulally and his team work extra time in a day and made sacrifices during lunch. They take quick bites in an attempt to find a way to the harsh financial moment that the company faced. In this scenario, it is apparent that the great depression even affected top performing companies, and it required a solution to evade the critical moment in order to sail through the moment (Magee 201). The scenario of the company running out of cash meshes with the experience I underwent as the company I worked with ensured that they have alternate ways of evading the financial crisis. Ford Motor company consumed finances at an alarming speed of $7.7 billion in its first third quarter. This indicates a whopping $ 83 million in a day. If this went unchecked, then the company would be broke in a year. The chief accounting officer devises ways of overcoming the crisis. The credit section had adopted an aggressive expansion policy that aimed at building a brick and mortar to ensure the company presence in the market.
The key strategies adopted to solve the problems faced by the Motor Company include the adoption of employee motivation. This will help increase in productivity. Further, quality of services needs to be checked. Upon joining of Mulley bought the spirit of team work. In essence therefore the strategies aided the improvement of the company performance. The company management need to ensure that the key management positions are undertaking by stronger individuals so the when making decisions thy reach an amicable solution. Strategically, Mulley adopted communication transparency to promote the spirit of team work among the employees
Conclusively, the experience attained meshes with the scenario in the book that explains the Ford Motor company business situation from its struggles to success. It resolves to help in economic growth and influence the standard of living of the people. It is evident that business faces challenges and requires the application of policies and strategies to success and dominates the market. The market mix phenomenon is ideal for setting up the business plan and ensuring the coherence and consistency in the supply chain. Further, the management of the company needs amicable working relation and a better way of solving conflicts that involve internal employee or its clients.

Work cited

Bayou, M. E., and A. D. Korvin. "Measuring the Leanness of Manufacturing Systems—A Case Study of Ford Motor Company and General Motors." Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (2008): n. pag. Print.
Ford, H and Crowther, S. “A business which can bring itself”:, Today and Tomorrow (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1992), p. 32.
Ford, Henry, Michele W. Albion, and Howard P. Segal. The Quotable Henry Ford. Gainesville: UP of Florida, 2013. Print.
Hoffman, Bryce G. American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company. New York: Crown Business, 2012. Print.
Ingrassia, Paul. Crash Course: The American Automobile Industry’s Road from Glory to Disaster. New York: Random House,2010.
Magee, David. Ford Tough: Bill Ford and the Battle to Rebuild America’s Automaker. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2005.