Here’s a thread – New Ford Commercial!! – in The Work Room that brings up some interesting points about my appearance in some recent Ford ads. At issue, is the level of authenticity in past spots, as compared to the Mike you know from Dirty Jobs.
I want to show you one of the most recent commercials I shot for Ford. It’s called “The Plan,” and I’m fairly certain that it will not change the face of advertising as we know it. However, I find this spot interesting for several reasons, and think you will too.
I shot this in Chicago a few weeks ago, along with a dozen other commercials for a new campaign called Why Ford, Why Now. Like all of Fords advertising, the Why Ford Why Now campaign was produced by Team Detroit, a division of J. Walter Thompson. This particular campaign however, was not inspired by a copywriter – it was inspired by you.
It’s true. This spot, and most everything else in the Why Ford Why Now campaign, sprung from a series of conversations that have been taking place right here in The mrW Water Cooler over the last 8 months. That strikes me as very unusual, and very cool. So I thought you might be interested to hear how a few of your random comments made in a modest chat room helped shape a multi-million dollar advertising campaign.
It started back in January, while I was visiting my folks in Florida, around the same time our government decided to bailout AIG. That decision led to some lively debate all over the country, and caused many people to question the wisdom of buying homes with nothing down and adjustable rate mortgages – a policy that always struck me as deeply insane. Some very thoughtful and worthwhile conversations around that issue began to unfold on this site, and to a smaller (but much louder) extent, in my father’s condominium. I might have gotten a little worked up in both places, and said some rather declarative things about “consequences” and “personal responsibility,” none of which I’m inclined to retract. Here is the actual thread that put the issue firmly on my radar, the AIG discussion, and got me thinking seriously about the unintended consequences of government bailouts.
A month or so later, we would all learn that along with AIG’s giant debt, the financial burdens of GM and Chrysler would also become our collective responsibility. On a personal and selfish level, this was more troubling than the bank bailouts. As a paid spokesman Ford, I was greatly relieved (and proud), that my employer didn’t take the money, but I worried that GM and Chrysler would soon emerge from bankruptcy with piles of debt magically erased. That struck me as a colossal and unfair advantage, and I said as much right here. Conversations like this one – Ford pays for it’s Prudence – began to appear.
If you read through all 50 pages of that thread, you’ll see that opinions on the matter are very pointed. Some feel the issue of not accepting taxpayer money is an inappropriate claim to make in the context of a marketing campaign. Others argue that financial independence is no less relevant to consumers than other industry claims like quality, fuel-efficiency, and safety. It’s an interesting exchange, which I later learned was being followed closely by some executives at Ford and JWT. (Yikes.)
Anyway, at the end of May, around the same time these and other related conversations were playing out, I was asked to shoot a new campaign for Ford. This one was called “Drive the Difference,” and featured yours truly, cruising around San Francisco in Ford vehicles while making casual pronouncements like “Ford has quality that can’t be beat by Honda or Toyota!” The cars in question were all mounted and covered with lights and cameras, and came fully loaded with a high-strung English director and a grumpy German cameraman crouched in the backseat, yelling at me with fantastic accents as I tried to run over as few pedestrians as possible while repeating the aforementioned line over and over. Great fun. If you missed those spots, here’s one to refresh your memory.
Drive the Difference was a successful campaign, though I must say the wardrobe was personally perplexing. I was asked to wear an expensive linen shirt, very nice, but far too clean for my taste, and harder to iron than a wad of used Kleenex. I was also asked to forego my trusty ball cap, which many of you know to be an extension of my head. Consequently, my mother didn’t even recognize me, and my father thought I was dressed for a “yuppie wedding.” Also, my scripts didn’t afford me the opportunity to congratulate Ford for having a plan that allowed them to say “no” to taxpayer money, which I had been rehearsing in The Water Cooler, and hoping to explain on camera.
No matter. At the end of the shoot, I got my chance, sort of. My friends from JWT asked if I would say a few quick words to the Ford dealers around the country. This is called a “dealer shout-out,” and the idea is to offer something encouraging to the people who are truly on the front line of selling Ford vehicles. So, without giving it too much thought, I turned to the camera and told the dealers what was on my mind. As you watch this “dealer shout-out,” bear in mind that it was unscripted, unrehearsed, and reflective of no one’s opinion but mine.
Look familiar? As you can easily see, the style and tone of the shout-out was a big hit with the dealers, and the link between it and “The Plan” spot seems pretty obvious. But the better story, and the purpose of this post, is the link between the shout-out and our little Water Cooler. It was you guys that got me seriously thinking and writing about the larger issue of government bailouts, and it was here that people suggested that Ford get some credit for having a workable plan that kept them independent, when their American counterparts were entering bankruptcy.
Ideas go where they go, and the ones formed here made their serendipitous way into an unscripted dealer shout-out, which in turn inspired a commercial called “The Plan,” and then, a national campaign called Why Ford, Why Now, currently airing on a TV near you.
And it all started with some Idle Chat, right here in the mikeroweWORKS Water Cooler.
So, thanks for that, very much. (Your ten percent is in the mail.)
Mike
41 Comments
Mike,
One should always give credit where credit is due, and without question, Ford deserves recognition for their foresight and willingness to make the hard decisions a few years ago in order to prevent having to make worse ones now.
The “new” campaign featuring the “old” you is honest and engaging, and because of it, I trust that Ford sales will claim a greater percentage of new purchases.(You should see how many people are driving new Fords here,Mike. It would undoubtedly make you smile…mybe even giggle…)
Now, as far as your “new” wardrobe… very nice.
Mike I come from a long line of “Moparheads”. My father was a Chrysler man, his father was a Plymouth man(after Kaiser stopped producing), but I will never buy a Chrysler product again. The bailouts put the nail in their coffin as far as I’m concerned. I mean when Mr. Ford started his assembly line, making it more and more affordable for people to buy cars, why didn’t the government bail out the horse dealers? Let’s not forget about the buggy makers, buggy whip makers, tack shops, blacksmiths and farriers! This country is pulling further away from its intention.
Hey Mike and Ford.
This news makes me so happy! I’m glad to hear that Ford will celebrate this fact. I’ve heard so many people talking about their next car purchase and literally no one has GM on their radar for the simple (but not so simple) fact that surrounds this entire campaign.
Makes me even prouder to be a part of the mrW!! We rock!
Sal
Very cool, Mike. I was at the gym and actually saw part of the Ford ad where you’re in a ballcap and blue polo shirt. I couldn’t hear it, but at least I can now say I saw one of your ads.
Oh, and keep spreading the message. Eventually it’ll sink in.
Dani
I just love your commercials for Ford cash for clunkers! Well, almost as much as Dirty jobs:) QVC’s lost is the worlds gain!!
Hey Mike, thanks for telling us about this. In about 5 years from now, when the country is back on its feet and Ford is strong and selling cars like crazy, perhaps I’ll be driving a Ford truck to the beach and I’ll think back when their CEOs got up from that table, back when the government representatives made them an offer (they couldn’t refuse? ha ha), and they said no thanks to their bailouts and decided to make it one their own by working hard and building the type of cars Americans want to drive, and I’m sure thinking about that will make me smile. Here’s to free markets.
Mike,
I would like to say congratulations to Ford as well, they used to say “Quality is job one” it looks as though they are well on the way to making that statement come true. As a Ford guy I’m proud of the progress they have made and the new products are fantastic. Going it on their own financially, was bold and needs to be recognized. JOB WELL DONE! Also, thanks you for speaking up for those of us that drive pick-ups, Ford, Chevy or Dodge and use our backs and hands to provide for our families. America can do it, and Ford is showing that to the world!
Kyle
Bakersfield, CA.
I love watching your show then just watched you on on Ford commercial. Bravo!
You always make me smile.
Mike,
Great campaign and agree Ford is the one automobile company of which we can all be very proud. I only wish they were strong enough (financially) to take that one extra step and tell Uncle Sap to stick the “cash for clunkers” money where the sun doesn’t shine. This government “fixing” free enterprise madness has to end soon. It is going to take the leadership of companies like Ford, certainly not the government, to make it happen.
The entire country ought to say forget it to the other 2 american auto companies and buy Ford. No kidding they didn’t take bailout money because they made some hard decisions a few years ago. Our government stepping in like they have and throwing all our hard earned dollars into companies who made bad decisions is just plain insane to my way of thinking.
I’ve owned 7 vehicles so far, bought my first Ford (Edge) a few weeks ago and am proud to drive it. They didn’t take my tax dollars and I’ll gladly support them by buying their cars/trucks. They got themselves a convert for life.
My brother-in-law drives Ford F-150 series for many years; I drive a Ford Escape and got to tell ya am thrilled that Ford has found the right way to keep a business going. Enjoy your commericals and your dirty job shows
As a 32-year marketing employee of Ford Motor Co. and now a retiree and part-time college instructor living in Florida, I have to say you are the best spokesperson Ford could have selected. I just had a reunion with some of my Ford friends in Michigan. We all agree; we love your commercials. They are so natural. I never watched “Dirty Jobs” before, but I do now and enjoy seeing you on this program too, although I have to admit my stomach gets a bit queasy at times.
Keep up the good work, Mike, and thank you for promoting Ford; my retirement is at stake.
The Plan is working. We just bought the 2010 Mustang because we tought it was a much better product than what Dodge and Chevy could offer. That coming from a life long Chevy pick-up fan.
Hey, Mike, that’s a pretty cool rundown of the anatomy of a commercial. I came over to this place after seeing the new Ford spot and was really surprised by the amount of information you’re providing here. My son (10th grader) and I have been kicking around the site and I think he’s getting a fired up about a pursuing a trade job. He’s even thinking about finding some kind of auto shop apprenticeship next summer when school is out. This is a first for him because I thought he was going to try and make a career out of testing video games! Keep up the good work. BTW I might just be out kicking the tires on a new Ford in the coming weeks. They deserve all the business they can handle!
Thanks for the behind the scenes insight Mike. It is very interesting that a large corporation would base an ad campaign on the small collection of opinions from DJ fans and trades people. I find it gratifying, but a bit suspect. Be wary oh consumer, of all such flattery.
Salesmanship and the making of TV commercials may be questioned. However, I know a number of people who are switching because of Ford’s business decisions. Multiply that over the U.S, and I think that there is a loud and clear message being sent by the people of America.
I am more gratified that good business sense has proven more effective than any ad campaign could.
I do have to say that I like the new Ford Commercials. It is you at your Dirty Jobs best. You look like a real person who might be out shopping for and driving a truck not a model. That said however I will still not buy a Ford. The only “clunker” or “lemon” I have ever owned was a Ford ( my one and only Ford).
The “new” look is perfect, with the blue shirt and hat. My new favorite commercial. The blogs are great reading. I love Mrs. Rowe’s stories too.
Karen
Hey Mike
I found this write up only today and I have to say that I love it. I actually work for Ford Credit and I too have been hearing a LOT of our customers say the very same thing to me as they’ve been saying to you. That they’re happy (some have even said PROUD!) that Ford did not take government bailout money. It’s nice to hear that from our customers. I also wanted to tell you that I love the new ad campaign. You are awesome Mike! ♥ Maise PS: I never quite understood those other ads either. YOU in a clean linen shirt??? What were they thinking? Good on ya man!
I just want to add that I like the “shout-out” clip too, because Mike is just being himself…unscripted, like he is in Dirty Jobs. He doesn’t need a cap or dirt. He just needs to be himself. Although the dirt and caps are nice.
I own a General Motors. When it wears out I will not buy a Government Motors. It will be a Ford. It’s that important to me that I support a company that stands on its own two feet and not take my tax dollars. I don’t like seeing you promote the Clunkers for Cash program as it is the same type of deal; my tax dollars going to someone else so they can buy a new car. Give me my tax dollars back and let me stimulate the economy the way I want to, but that is a different topic.
Jason
Roll on, Ford & Mike–~!! Just bought my “08- Ford Focus Program Car” and need I say more, LOVE IT ~!!! And the idea that Ford did NOT accept Bazillions from the government — EVEN Better~!!
Your the Best, Ford & MIKEROWE~!! Keep that Water Cooler Cool~!!
Cordially, Ginger
Wow. All I can say is I am proud of Mike & all of us for being his fans.
Tanya
I guess I’m the only GM employee posting a comment on this site and find it quite disturbing that so many people have such hate for GM and Chrysler. The one thing that really bothers me is the amount of misinformation about the auto industry, especially about the Big 3.
If I remember correctly, Ford borrowed over $20 billion back in 2006-2007 because they were out of cash, not because they had any foresight into the recession of 2008. At that time, both GM and Chrysler were in restructuring mode and had enough cash on hand to complete the task. The sharp fall in sales in 2008 depleted cash for all of the Big 3 but due to Ford’s earlier borrowing they did not need to accept government funds.
Maybe a lot of these posters live outside of southeastern Michigan and don’t really understand the impact the demise of GM and Chrysler would have on our local economy. As a 24 year salaried employee of GM, my economic life hangs in the balance right now along with many others. We cannot easily escape Michigan due to family ties and homes that no one will buy.
I have friends who work for Ford and suppliers and when we get together we only talk about the success of the Big 3 and NEVER talk down about the “other” company. I guess that we have respect for each other and want everyone to succeed. We understand that we’re in this together.
I’m sure that if the Big 3 were located in your backyard, you’d feel differently. For my friends, my company and my community, I sincerely hope that the GM and Chrysler prosper so we can prove you all wrong.
thank you! I saw you in the commercials and hoped that was your thought behind working for ford……now I just came across your twitter site and found this.
I enjoy your humor in dirty jobs…you always make me smile and I need that more often now since I am consumed by talk radio, research and reading about the founding of our great country (very serious times we are in)
It is comforting to know you have the beliefs you do. I have had to turn off so many people I used to watch on tv because they opened their mouth and turned into ignorant fools.
I can keep watching you and keep laughing! Thanks!
and thank you to Ford! They didn’t take the bail out in the depression either. Side note….my Great Grandpa was one of the first men to drive a ford up pikes peak in co. (he is in the smithsonian for inventing the first retractable landing gear on planes….he knew wiley post and amelia airheart. the world is a fascinating place! And I have learned lots by watching your show…..okay now I’m rambling….getting late zzzzzzz.
Have several friends who have traded in their GMC vehicles for Fords because of the bailout. Great job, Ford!!
-Sarah L.
Mike,
I drive GM & Chrysler cars, My father drove GM cars, and his father drove GM cars. I have always found them to be very reliable and my next car will be a GM. I also heard that Ford just hapened to barow a bunch of money before the economy tanked. So they didn’t have any forsight, they just got lucky. Wile it concerns me to see my tax money going to bail out big buisness, I feel the goverment had no choce do to the economic impact loosing GM or Chrysler would have. On the other hand I don’t belive I will by another Chrysler know that Fiat has control.
As someone who was also proud of Ford for not taking the bailout, I like the new ads. Ford should be proud of being able to stand on their own two feet, and their choice of a spokesman to encourage others to see that couldn’t be better! Good job Mike.
Terra
Mike,
I have long been a fan of your show. I want to let you know that last year I bought my first Ford. Since I started buying my own vehicles, I have bought Japanese. Mostly due to reliability. But I wanted a truck, a real truck. And being a country boy, I knew no matter how big the Japanese trucks got, they still were not real trucks. So I bought a Ford F150 Super Crew Cab to haul my family of 6 and our stuff. And I love it. It is a sweet Red color and runs awesome. I cannot imagine ever driving another vehicle again. I am waiting for our Toyota minivan to die so that we can buy a Ford for the Wife.
I am especially proud to own a Ford now because of the TARP issue. So Thanks for supporting Ford and thanks for your support of the real working class. Even though I work in an office building in a suit and tie, I never forget the ones doing the dirty work that makes my life easier. In fact, as I write this, there is a man washing the windows on the outside of my 16th floor office. WOW.
Mike, great commercial.As an executive Director it is about time some one stands up for the company that does it right. Ford has listened to the american public its employees and has standed firm with its committment to get beyond these finical times. It was easy for chysler and Gm to have the tax payer bail them out including the unions, Ford choose a better way. Thank you for letting America still know the Businesses left along without goverment help stills works.
Paul M
I kept telling my husband that Ford was going to come out on top because of those commercials and when I told him they were somehow out of MRW he was suprised . He had to say you were right. Sweet September already.
Mike,
I like your straight shooting no b.s. approach in the Ford commercials for connecting with their target market. I also caught a recent interview on Fox where you illustrated a disconnect between the attitudes of the 4 year degree workforce and the technical trades. I am pursuing my 4 year engineering deegree, but have worked hard at welding, machining, fabricating, and generally getting dirty to get the job done. Time for a lot of people in this country and *especially* our government to buck up and get to work. I really appreciate your perspective, the website, and wish you all the success you deserve.
Dear Mike,
I bought the New Mustang GT from FORD, because of their ability not to take the money. YOu are a perfect person to talk about it, you know work and how to get it done. I am tired on other car companies having Joe Bob’s say they drive it but when you look they arent. You drive on all the time on the show and look proud of it.
I went to but the other sports car and was told and i quote “Oh its got a premium on it because its a sports car, the premium is 10K” Ok they take alot of money and charge extra. Ford said, hey we can beat that price, adn give you a great car.
Keep of the awesome work, love the show, and you rock.
JC
Hello Mike,
First off let me say i am an addict to MRW…. if im not at one of my two jobs or at school…im here…and loving it…
About the Ford commercials….I think there great…especially sine i recently become part of the ford family….(2001 Ford Ranger xlt 4×4). Built Ford tough is my kinda style…and brining pride back to the working man fits right in with Ford and their mission so thats even better…
Well…Discovery is my favorite channell….Dirty Jobs is my Favorite Show…and You, Mike are my Favorite Person…I love what you are doing with MRW and I will do my very best to spread the word…maybe oneday I can get you on one of my jobs…
…like I always say…if everyone does a little a lot gets done
~Amanda~
Mike, Mike, Mike………….
I really like that your a stand-up guy when it comes to this bail out program…(among other things) I can totally see you having a heated discussion with your Dad in Florida…….I am a Nurse in Florida, and I have a soap box myself….I make sure I save it for important things……….. Just wanted to let you know I am a huge fan and I support you and the show…….if your ever in my neck of the woods and need to be cleaned up after one of your dirty jobs…….I’d love to help you out!!!!!
—-Mercades—-
The “masses” are more alert today in ways they haven’t been in a long time. I am actually a politician from the “personal responsibility” end of the spectrum, and it is really encouraging to see folks noticing and sometimes even taking action on what they see around them. That Madison Avenue doesn’t see this as a selling point is a good example of why they need to spend a little time off the island. As it turns out, the “masses” (i.e. potential Ford customers) aren’t uncaring about America’s future; they were just a bit tuned out for a while and had developed a bit of apathy, as a result. At least for now, those days are over. I have had four people approach me in the last two months to ask how they can run for office. Assuming they are not planning to run against me, I always find the time to sit down for a long cup of coffee and have an honest conversation about what they are getting into and (this is the important part of my rambling) HOW MUCH A DIFFERENCE THEY CAN MAKE WITOUT BEING ELECTED just by using their voice on blogs, talk radio, letters to the editor, their Facebook and Twitter accounts, and emails to their friends. While your fans weren’t trying to make a policy change, necessarily, they did convince some big shots to reconsider the direction of the message in a million dollar ad campaign. They can do the same with that energy in public policy. Our right to free speech is a powerful tool that we ALL can wield for very little monetary investment in this new digital age, after all. Thanks for your post, Mike. I hope it encourages the many folks who participated in the thread to keep up the pressure all over the internet and beyond.
Great work. I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Mike, my first car was a ‘67 mustang, and since then I have had 2 torinos, 2 tracers, and an escape with a few mopars and rice burners in between. The Fords were all excellent cars and I have been and always will be a Ford man. This is especially true now that Ford did not take the money. It doesn’t hurt that they have the most likeable man on TV as their spokesman. Keep up the good work with Ford, and of course in all your other endeavors!
It was a wise choice to hire you as Ford’s spokesperson,as your audience is pretty well the same folks that Ford wants in their showrooms. My first car was a 1956 Thunderbird, bought in 1960, as it was something neat that I could afford to buy. Later, I traded it for my first new car, a Studebaker Lark convertible. Then funny thing…I had been looking at a 409 Chevy, and here came the Mustang, and I had to have one! Bought a 289 Hi Performance coupe, which titled as a 1965 model. Later, wanting a convertible again, I bought a new 390 Mustang in 1967, and it was definitely one fast car, without the typical characteristics of a true high performance engine, but with massive torque and horsepower. Then, I got away from Fords for a while, and even bought a new Chevy pickup in 1972. It was a gas and oil guzzling dog! Traded it off on a Jeep pickup…dependable and tough, but really crude.
then, much later, in 1986 I bought a new 4×4 Ranger. Nice, dependable truck. This begun our family’s brand switch away from GM and Chrysler. the ‘72 was bad enough to make me swear GM off. Since that time, I’ve owned new F-150 pickups in ‘93, ‘95, 97,’99, and ‘01. Then made the switch to a Super Duty crew cab with the 6.0 Diesel in ‘04. What a sweet truck! It pulls out fifth wheel RV like it almost isn’t there. Just set the cruise for what you want, and it stays there. During this time, my wife has had a couple of new Tauruses, a T-Bird and a Windstar, which she loves and won’t get rid of it! When gas was so expensive a year or so ago, I bought a new Focus SES with all the toys, mainly for my drive to and from work…it is an amazing car! Everything fits and works I get in the range of 33 to 34 MPG on mixed mode driving, and it is the first thing out of the driveway when my wife wants to run up to the store or whatever. All of this experience with Fords for the past several years has convinced me that once you drive one of theirs for any length of time, the competition really looks crude by comparison. And, Ford executives taking massive voluntary salary cuts, plus having the foresight to set up a significant mortgage backed line of credit, proved they had a viable plan, and the will to carry it out.
My favorite MR commercial? The proving grounds truck comparison. I wouldn’t even want to ride in a Toyota truck now!
I like the fact you dont wear suits, just plain clothes and a cap…keepin it real so to speak, thats why youre my hero…
Reviews, Rewards, Responsibility and Respect
I’ve been a short-time lurker on this site, and have been recently inspired to voice my opinion. Thank you, Mike, for giving a place to do just that. You can thank Glen Beck for this rant—I’ll explain in a moment.
Maybe I’m missing the point. No, really, I think I must be. I know the blog was not written because Mr. Rowe gives a flying rat’s whooziewhatsit what I drive or who I’ll buy my next car from. I read this blog entry from Mr. Rowe and concluded that the point to be made was “Congratulations. Small voices can be heard. Small voices together as one are louder. This site is accomplishing its goals, it is making a difference. YOU are making a difference.” Victory, even on some small scale, is still victory.
It may be pure conjecture on my part, but I also understood the entry to be an expression of Mike’s views on responsibility. I imagine the robust conversations in his Father’s living room are very similar to the ones that happen in mine.
I have never understood people who expect to get something without working for it. Since I was a young child, I have tried to wrap my head around someone wanting something they did not earn. I have been working since I was ten, first in school sponsored programs, baby sitting, helping my father in his construction business—to my current career. I still put in 45+ hours a week, while being salaried for fewer than 40. I do it because it needs to be done. I do it because IT’S MY JOB. Even the few stints of unemployment I’ve had, I did volunteer work. I cannot even pretend to understand the people I deal with daily who steal, or collect checks for sitting home. It infuriates me that several hours a day I work, I am paying for someone else to drive a nicer car and live in a nicer place and not have to work. And these people are still stealing from me.
This blog called to mind the pure frustration and anger toward a majority that expects to have nice things without ever having to work for them. It occurred to me a while ago that it comes down to respect. I was dealing with a frequent-flyer shoplifter who had some choice words for me when she was caught. I realized she had no respect for me, for the merchandise she was stealing, and ultimately herself. If she had respect for herself, she would pick herself up, get a job, and pay for the things she could afford, instead of steal the things she wanted. If she had respect for herself, she would realize that not having a job and carrying a $3,000 LV hand bag was unacceptable, and completely unnecessary. If she had any respect for herself, she’d have respect for me. If she had been TAUGHT respect. Sadly, she hadn’t, and she is passing on the no-respect way of life to her children, who she frequently enlists to help shoplift.
That respect is directly responsible for, well, responsibility. If you have respect for yourself and those around you, then you act responsibly. Acting responsibly means driving the car you can afford, not the BMW to impress your neighbors. Responsibility means that if you have $50, you wear $50 jeans , instead of $300 jeans from a designer, expecting someone else to pick up the tab. Responsibility means passing those values on to your children. Responsibility means telling your children NO.
Here’s where Glen Beck comes in. The other day someone in my house turned his program on. Although I was busy doing something else, I could hear him spout and preach about how people need to redefine what the term “GOOD JOB” means. He’s right. The definition of having a good job has changed so dramatically—even in the twenty years since I graduated High School. It is unrecognizable from the definition of the term my parents understood when they graduated High School (and College) 52 years ago. He drew me in, and I had to stop and watch.
As I watched him make his snarky faces and roll his eyes, I was reminded of a situation that came up over the summer. Near the Fourth of July, a good friend of mine was driving and came across an eight year old and a ten year old up-rooting American Flags a local Vet organization had put up for the parade. My friend, having similar values as I, felt the responsibility to stop them. He pulled over, rolled down his window, and asked them to stop. Now, when I was that age, I knew it was understood that if an adult told you to do something, regardless of who that adult was, regardless of what you wanted to do, you did it. Not these kids. A stream of expletives erupted out of their disrespectful juvenile mouths, and the younger of the two actually reached into the vehicle, intending to do physical harm. I digress. Back to GB—I was astonished that he does not see his actions speak louder than his words, and negate any good that may come out of his mouth. His actions and reactions are that of a five year old throwing a tantrum. Makes no difference what he says, he’s contributing to the problem. WAIT—he is the poster child for the problem!
Like so many people who “agree” with me, understand what I’m saying and agree that respect and responsibility issues are what are eating away at the very heart of our nation, he’s all talk. Good Job, Glen Beck? Hard Work, Glen Beck? How about you get off your duff and GET A REAL JOB? You are paid a good living so sit on your tuckas and WHINE. How about instead of just talking about the problem, you do something about it? You certainly aren’t leading by example.
How about everyone who’s complaining and whining and “concerned” and in agreement that we have a serious problem with value in this country get up and do something to make a difference? (Thank you, Mike, for taking steps to DO just that with mrW.) I am not talking about extraordinary measures. I am simply talking about everyone stepping up and doing what they are SUPPOSED to.
What does all of this have to do with Ford? There is something I tell my employees all the time. They will not get rewarded for doing something they are supposed to. I will thank them. I will thank them for coming in, I will thank them for having a pulse, I will thank them for doing the bare minimum required to pass as getting the job done—but I will not reward them. They will not get a great review, or a raise, or a pat on the back for just doing the bare minimum, basic required actions. In order to be recognized for doing something great, they have to actually do it. They have to go above and beyond to get recognized for going above and beyond. With this philosophy, we have created an amazing team, and our every day standard far surpasses those around us. We have taken something not-so-good and made it extraordinary. And for that, we are rewarded. But rewards for doing what you are expected to do? NO. Just doing it is its own reward. I profusely thank my customers and clients, because they don’t HAVE to be there, spending money. But my employees, I’m paying them, and I expect to get every dollar’s worth.
Why are we congratulating Ford, or any other company, for that matter, for doing what they are supposed to do? Why are we thanking them for standing on their own two feet?
By that reasoning, each one of us should receive a big fat bonus for paying our mortgages on time, getting up and going to work, recycling, breathing. It really is a ridiculous expectation. How about someone put me on the news for not cheating another person out of money today? Where’s my Nobel Prize for not over-extending my credit? There is someone standing on your front porch with your trophy for not running that red light this morning. I’ll make sure to watch the special report tomorrow when you’re given an hour-long special with Oprah for not committing murder. Here’s a beer and a shag and a check for getting out of bed today. WHO ARE WE KIDDING?!
By gushing congratulatory thank-you messages for the basic, bare minimum, we are perpetuating the problem. Why aren’t we all banding together to put a hand out, help lift someone up, and educate them on what value really is?
We should be thanking them for lending an ear to the “little people”. That’s really the only great accomplishment here.
Thank you, Mike Rowe, for standing up and doing something about the problem, not just talking about it. Thank you to all the hard working men and women on this site for doing the same.
Each one of us is a small voice, and united together, we can make a loud noise. By simply standing up and doing what we are supposed to, we will make a difference.
By the way, welcome to my soap box.
Wow. Finally someone who gets it. No, wait. Two folks who really get it; Mr. Rowe, and JulesMeansBusiness. Thanks to both of you for working to set the record straight. God bless. Keep up the good work.