Ford’s management team faced a major crisis when a key supplier’s plant fire on May 2nd brought production of the F-Series pickup to an abrupt halt. Initial estimates indicated a suspension lasting several months, with potential revenue losses mounting at a whopping $100 million per day!
Almost miraculously, Ford said it would resume production just 14 days later. Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s EVP of product development and purchasing, described the herculean efforts, calling the outcome “a fantastic proof point of the importance of strong relationships.”
This is a terrific example of what can be accomplished when people are crystal clear about and aligned on what needs to be done, feel compelled to act by their desire to win, and are strongly supported by their managers in doing whatever is needed to deliver.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “How do we create this kind of alignment, conviction and resolve to win without a plant burning down?”
Read the full story here on Forbes.com.
