|
|
ONLINE FEATURES
Book Reviews
BW Video
Columnists
Interactive Gallery
Newsletters
Past Covers
Philanthropy
Podcasts
Special Reports
BLOGS
Auto Beat
Bangalore Tigers
Blogspotting
Brand New Day
Byte of the Apple
Economics Unbound
Eye on Asia
Fine On Media
Green Biz
Hot Property
Investing Insights
Management IQ
NEXT: Innovation
NussbaumOnDesign
Tech Beat
Working Parents
TECHNOLOGY
J.D. Power Ratings
Product Reviews
Tech Stats
Wildstrom: Tech Maven
AUTOS
Home Page
Auto Reviews
Classic Cars
Car Care & Safety
Hybrids
INNOVATION
& DESIGN Home Page Architecture Brand Equity Auto Design Game Room SMALLBIZ Smart Answers Success Stories Today's Tip INVESTING Investing: Europe Annual Reports BW 50 S&P Picks & Pans Stock Screeners Free S&P Stock Report SCOREBOARDS Hot Growth 100 Mutual Funds Info Tech 100 S&P 500 B-SCHOOLS Undergrad Programs MBA Blogs MBA Profiles MBA Rankings Who's Hiring Grads | |
JULY 28, 2003
Lafley: Embracing Procter & Gamble Alumni "P&G: New and improved" (Cover Story, July 7) could not have been written before Alan G. Lafley's chairmanship. Before Lafley, no reporter had the access to Procter & Gamble (PG ) chairman and senior management, upon which you built such a complete picture of the company. Lafley's commitment to outreach also includes a new approach to P&G alumni. Twentysome years ago, a loose P&G alumni network arose, and 500 alums came to a weekend reunion in Chicago. In the next two decades, P&G's attitude toward this group was "out of sight, out of mind." In June, 2000, a fourth reunion in Chicago occurred just two days after Lafley became president. Attendees were literally struck dumb when he arrived unannounced at the dinner party -- and stayed. Lafley apparently sees value for P&G in embracing its alumni. In April, 2003, another weekend alumni reunion was held, this time in Cincinnati and with deep involvement by P&G and by Lafley himself. This attitude shift has resulted in two alumni board members. Who knows what other benefits may accrue? John Thomas Winnetka, Ill. Boeing's Deal: The Pentagon Would Pay Interest Either Way The venerable Office of Management & Budget argues that Boeing Co.'s (BA ) proposed aircraft leases to the U.S. Air Force will cost more than a direct purchase ("Inside Boeing's sweet deal," Government, July 7). Could be, if the U.S. Treasury had the cash to purchase the aircraft outright, which it doesn't. Instead, the Treasury will go to the debt markets and issue more interest-bearing T-bills and notes to fund the lease payments (or the cash purchase). In either case, the Treasury will be paying an implicit interest rate for the new aircraft. John D. Harris President (Retired) Harris Leasing Corp. Dayton   The Good News about Chrysler Your commentary ("Chrysler's scary leap of faith," The Corporation, July 16) is not balanced, omits key facts, and paints an incomplete picture of the active, ongoing, and successful efforts to transform Chrysler Group into a world-class competitor in a fierce global market. While your writers express the opinion that Chrysler Group has a labor and plant surplus, they could have acknowledged that during the past 30 months, we have taken decisive, albeit painful, actions to bring our capacity and related costs in line. Our workforce has been reduced by more than 26,000 employees, including some 19,000 hourly workers. Seven plants have been idled. Several component operations have been folded into joint ventures, and other satellite operations, such as DC Aviation and an assembly plant in Europe, have been sold. Furthermore, all of this was accomplished while working with our unions and maintaining productive labor relations. Similarly, a chart refers to a purported "productivity problem" without any mention that Chrysler Group led the industry with an 8.3% improvement in the recently published The Harbour Report -- it was, in fact, the second-highest level of improvement ever recorded by Harbour. Your commentary is also sharply critical of our leadership team. The improvements made since President and Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche arrived less than three years ago to take the helm are significant and numerous. Let me focus on two of them: 1) Quality. The 20% improvement in warranty expense achieved in just the 2002 model year is four times the improvement seen in any of the previous five years, and we're on track for a double-digit improvement this year as well. 2) Product. Since 2001, our company has launched the successful Jeep Liberty and Dodge Viper, the Dodge Ram, the Chrysler Pacifica, and Chrysler Crossfire. In a recent issue, BusinessWeek called the Crossfire "the most attractive car in a competitive segment." With the entire U.S. auto industry struggling in a difficult and fragile economy, one might expect backseat commentary on the people driving the bus. But there's no excuse for BusinessWeek's ignoring the road already traveled or the map we are using to drive into the future. Kenneth A. Levy Vice-President for Communications Chrysler Group DaimlerChrysler (DCX ) Corp. Auburn Hills, Mich. Many Patients Look for a Way to Avoid Responsibility Isn't it ironic that "most insurance companies cover and encourage multiple consultations" ("To cut -- or not to cut?" BusinessWeek Investor, July 7)? When I happen to be the third or fourth physician consulted by such a patient, I realize that he or she is looking for validation of a refusal to follow medical advice. In your list of "overdone" surgeries, 10 of the 14 procedures are usually done to treat diseases of lifestyle that are related to obesity and smoking. Maybe we should start promoting personal responsibility instead of blaming others for our ill health. Patients would likely value their health more if they realized that medicine may not be able (or willing) to fix the damage they do to themselves. Sharon A. Sutherland, M.D. Cleveland City and State Colleges: A Lifeline Based on Merit Re "Needed: Affirmative Action for the Poor" (Economic Viewpoint, July 7): What world does Laura D'Andrea Tyson live in? I grew up poor in New York and attended Brooklyn College for free because of my grades, not the color of my skin or my religion. Many successful people who couldn't afford Ivy League schools graduated from city and state colleges. Poor Blacks or Latinos have the opportunity to go to these schools based on their abilities. Does Tyson have such disrespect for these people that she thinks they can't do anything without affirmative action? Beverly Levy Allentown, Pa. The Bill and Hillary Show Keeps GOP Coffers Full Re "Two mirrors on the Clinton years" (Books, July 7): You just don't understand. You say of Hillary Rodham Clinton: "The media, and the vast right-wing conspiracy, would do well not to underestimate her. Again." But since the veil was lifted on her in 1993-94, the GOP has held the House, which it hasn't done for 40 years. The best way to keep the Libs and the Dems out of office is to have Bill and Hillary stay visible and in the fray. She can have her 40%, which is all she can get. They make raising money so easy. We love Bill and Hillary. Understand? Norman Berger Menlo Park, Calif. Don't Give Up Yet, Generation X "For Gen X, it's paradise lost" (Social Issues, June 30) talks about how difficult Gen X has it in the workforce and how Harvard University grads can't get a job. Hate to say it, but it doesn't matter if you got your degree from Harvard or a state college -- if you aren't going to fight your battles when they hit you in the face, your esteemed Ivy League education is worthless. The people of Gen X are still young. They still have fight...and they can win. Generation X doesn't have to be remembered for what it lost; it can be remembered for what it took back! Ryan L. Hawk Sidney, Neb. How Can Lance Be Bad for Biking? Lance Armstrong's recovery from cancer and subsequent success in the Tour de France has done nothing less than increase global awareness of an otherwise marginal sport ("Is Lance just too good?" News: Analysis & Commentary, June 30). As with the New York Yankees in baseball, the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan-era basketball, and, indeed, other cycling greats who previously dominated the Tour, the public always seems to cry that mastery equals viewing boredom. One must remember, as many brilliant young cycling stars right now are doing, whoever dethrones Armstrong will go down in history as having ushered in a new era in a sport that is now globally famous. What sponsor wouldn't want to be front and center then? Neal Huff New York
| | |
 Copyright BWStory.copyright, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |
Printer-Friendly Version
