By now you probably have heard that Mary Barra just became the CEO at General Motors. From humble beginnings, Barra spent her entire professional career at GM, starting as a co-op student only to become the first female CEO of a major automotive manufacturer. With a background in engineering and her MBA from Stanford, Barra proved herself to be an extremely valuable asset for the company. She has performed various roles, ranging from running an assembly plant to transforming the decades-old corporate culture at GM after the bankruptcy as the vice president of global human resources. But her most notable work, in my opinion, has been during the last two years as the senior vice president for global product development. She has been quoted as bluntly telling GM engineers that there will be “no more crappy cars.” You will find little argument that the global product portfolio of GM today is by far the best the company has ever had. I cannot quite say “mission accomplished,” but the direction is clearly positive. Barra broke the glass ceiling and it was certainly a historic day, but if we strip away gender, the question remains whether or not she will be successful as the leader of the new and improved GM. The company is facing a new chapter with struggles in Europe and China as well as moving forward with electric technology in the US. GM has a history of appointing insiders as CEO and internal selections in the past have failed to make major changes. Barra will become GM’s fifth CEO in less than five years. She now has the opportunity to prove that a GM-lifer can indeed force radical and lasting changes at the automaker. If she can push departments to revamp and think progressively, she will surely be labeled as a transformational CEO. She has experience in every facet of the organization including European operations and successful product launches including the Cadillac ATS, CTS, and Chevrolet’s Stingray and Malibu. Automotive sales are continuing to rebound and hit levels that we haven’t seen since 2007 but competition is stiff. Product is king and Barra’s latest post proves she has the chops to propel GM forward.
She’s humble, full of common sense and is quick to credit her team. She is focused on the future of GM and the challenge that the millennial generation presents to carmakers. She has two teenagers herself and understands the generation that has been raised with very little tradeoffs. They will expect vehicles that seamlessly integrate their digital lives, express their individuality in a value-oriented package that is also as fuel efficient as possible. Barra has her finger on the pulse in this area and can steer the automaker’s future. Just as with any company’s appointment of CEO, only time will tell, but Barra certainly has the qualifications to be successful and “Find New Roads” for GM.
She’s humble, full of common sense and is quick to credit her team. She is focused on the future of GM and the challenge that the millennial generation presents to carmakers. She has two teenagers herself and understands the generation that has been raised with very little tradeoffs. They will expect vehicles that seamlessly integrate their digital lives, express their individuality in a value-oriented package that is also as fuel efficient as possible. Barra has her finger on the pulse in this area and can steer the automaker’s future. Just as with any company’s appointment of CEO, only time will tell, but Barra certainly has the qualifications to be successful and “Find New Roads” for GM.
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