Should workers buy the vehicles they make?

jmc · Feb 1, 2006

As a business owner myself, I know that if I ever have to go back and work for someone else, God forbid, I'll be a better employee than during my last gig, having seen both sides. I think many employees see their company as a bottomless pit of resources and don't realize how any business hemorrages money at the other end, just in the normal course of business. The difference between success and failure and job or no job, is often just a few percent in productivity, customer satisfaction, or whatever it is we do.

riptides · Feb 1, 2006

I honestly don't understand the issues your raising about buying company product = being "accountable" <- as others have taken note.

I think it is a false assumption and thought on many peoples part that equate fiscal responsibility to the employee. In the case of Ford, you cannot tell me 24k new purchases by employees will make any difference in saving that company. It has more issues than just product.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Feb 1, 2006

If I understand correctly, youre implying that it was an ultimatum to drive a Ford or find a job.. That is not the case, its just a prefered parking spot for Ford drivers at a Ford facility 

I understand that.

But why should anyone have prefferential treatment for a perk like a parking place because of the car they drive. What if the factory made it policy that anyone that drove a different make car had to use a different factory entrance. Or had to eat in a different cafeteria. Or use a different rest room?

The policy makes it a longer walk from the parking lot, a walk of shame, and an inconvenience because someone has to leave home a little earlier to make the longer walk and get to work on time.

I think the policy is silly. If their cars were so great, all of their employees would buy them. If all of their employees don't buy them, why is that? Is it because some of them think there are better products out there or that they cost too much? I couldn't say. How many of us work at a place that makes a product that we won't ever use? Why won't we use it? Because it is crummy, overpriced, not useful? Maybe it is a luxury item that we can't afford? Maybe we just don't need it? Maybe there is a better one out there, but we need a job.

I'm not trying to stir the pot or anything and these comments aren't directed at you or anyone else in particular. They are just my feelings on the subject. I think the company would be better off finding out why the people that work there that don't drive their brand of car don't buy them. It could be useful marketing research.

Boondox · Feb 1, 2006

( There was no threat made...Selfishness and entitlement is really hurting this country.... )

Well, I'd disagree with part of that. The first part. A threat doesn't have to be spelled out for some to take it to the next level and marginalize those who don't toe the line. Why should a hard worker who gives 120% to their job have to put up with being labeled some sort of sub-worker, one step up from a scab if you believe the rhetoric coming out of the union brotherhood.

I agree with you that selfishness and a feeling of entitlement is hurting this nation's industy, but consider some of the outrageous wages and benefits won by the UAW as prime examples of that. Too many workers were wowed by short-term personal benefits to see the long-term implications of milking the company till it dried up.

Pete

cowboydoc · Feb 1, 2006

Well said Murph..... That brings back to mention lack of accountability in this country.. Could the employees refusing to support the company they work for be causing the financial troubles? I say definitly, espescially when a company employs a large number of people. This is mearly an incentive to buy the product they create.. Why wouldnt you shop at the store that supports your family? Guess I'll never see the other sides point...There was no threat made...Selfishness and entitlement is really hurting this country 

Agree, well said Murph. Gary well said too. You absolutely cannot run a successful business no matter who you are if your people are not united and you do not work as a team. You all know this. One bad wheel and the rest of the wheels fall off. There has to be teamwork by everyone involved.

Steve there certainly does have to be reward. And the Japanese system is still working. Several of my corporate friends apply their principles in their companies and they are doing remarkably well. It's all tied into incentives, profit sharing, and teamwork. The lowest employee has a voice in the direction of the company through team leaders who speak for your group as one at corporate meetings. You are rewarded for hard work and reaching goals. But you are rewarded as a team. Just like in sports, you never win as an individual, you win as a team.

Our system has become what can you do for me today? There's no investment in the future.

billbill1 · Feb 1, 2006

I worked for Coka Cola for a while, we were dicouraged from eating at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC because they were sponsored by our rival. Products were sold to the employees at cost-but could be purchased cheaper at the grocery stores.

MossRoad · Feb 1, 2006

Why wouldnt you shop at the store that supports your family? 

Because they make an inferior product! Pretty simple.

There was an interview on the news the other night talking to folks that work at the factory that makes the Ford 500. One of the old timers said something like this....

The Ford 500 is a great car. It's fantastic. But lets face it. You might as well paint (town name) Police on it right now.

What he was talking about was the lack of style in Ford's cars lately. That is Ford's fault. Not the line worker. He did his job, made a great car and now he's supposed to buy one even though it is ugly just to support the company he works for? Reminds me of the time my daughter made a really bad batch of cookies... I ate them to support her, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth.

riptides · Feb 1, 2006

( ...dicouraged from eating at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC because... )

That'd be a serious dent in my food pyramid. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Interesting, not for health reasons, but for the buck.

HAH!
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Feb 1, 2006

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Moss, I understand your point though I dont agree with you. We just wont see eye to eye on this one... I cant hold it against you..

I find it hard to believe that someone who works at an automotive manufacturing plant cant find a product made by that company(new or used) that they like.. If they truly believe that it is an inferior product, I feel they would have less heart in making it. Thus the stories we have always heard about cars built on Monday and Friday.. Again, its a petty argument(in my mind). If someone at a Ford plant wants to drive a Chevy, who cares, just dont park it in front of the front door. Advertise for your job, or let someone else do it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

Another comment made earlier was that a $24k car to an employee was not going to save the company.. Well, dont you think that if you multiplied that number by 1000, it would help? Even a used car of the company you work for would keep another vehicle of competing make on the showroom floor, thus helping justify your job..

Bird · Feb 1, 2006

( lack of style in Ford's cars lately )

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gifIn the first place, it seems to me as if most of the cars now-a-days look much alike; no distinctive styling such as we had in the '50s. However, what it looks like, or even what color it is, is the very last consideration for folks such as myself. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I just want to know about comfort, dependability, durability, adequate performance (doesn't need to be a hotrod anymore), and cost, both to purchase, to fuel, and to maintain. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif