GM’s chief legal counsel, Michael Milliken, is also blaming his inaction on members of his staff who did not inform him of the severity of the problem. What is his job if not to know that the company’s cars have killed people? He hired Anton Valukas—a well known legal investigator—to document what happened. That was like letting the fox into the henhouse.
Solso has called Milliken “a really important person at GM and a valued advisor to both the board, and CEO Mary Barra.” Well, if he winds up in jail, he may be so valued that some members of the board and management may be joining him.
Meanwhile, Valukas’ 315-page report uncovered what the board and management should have already known—that there had been years of serious mistakes and errors, and deceptions among engineers, product specialists, and even lawyers, on how a defect could cut engine power and disable airbags in millions of GM cars.
Solso’s response to the report was, “Yes, we should have known earlier. The way I look at it, GM has not been run well for a long period of time.” This is from the new chairman of the board! He went on to say that he was “shocked” and “stunned” by the findings in the Valukas report.
However, the the most shocking statement of all was when Solso said the board and management were not lax about safety. Instead, he said, “the problem is that people did not do their job.” Well isn’t the job of management to oversee the employees, and the job of the board to oversee management? It doesn’t look like anybody was overseeing anything.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
