Rendezvous with a Mighty Heart
It’s not just Angelina Jolie who has a mighty heart. Meet the new face of gender diversity. It is not very often that you come across a woman heading an automobile giant. In an industry that is primarily known for hulk and tough situations, Mary Barra has begged to differ. She didn't just break the glass ceiling, she drove a truck through it when she took over as global CEO of General Motors in January 2014, Unsurprisingly, the media went berserk over the electrical engineer and Stanford MBA, who joined GM as an intern in 1980 (following her father into the company) and has never worked anywhere else.
The going has been far from smooth. She found herself appearing before the US Congress in April to answer for faulty ignition switches linked to 13 deaths - a problem that led to the recall of millions of vehicles. Barra's contrite apology was widely appreciated but she remains aware that she has a lot to do if she has to deliver on her avowed promise of bringing about a "new GM" and regaining customer trust.
The Road in India and Potholes
GM has had its share of problems here too. It is yet to make a profit despite being in the country for almost two decades, and has faced allegations of corporate fraud over issues related to the recall of multi-purpose vehicle Tavera. Still, the first question that Barra is inevitably asked is about being a trendsetter and whether this heralds a new trend of women in corner rooms.
GM has had its share of problems here too. It is yet to make a profit despite being in the country for almost two decades, and has faced allegations of corporate fraud over issues related to the recall of multi-purpose vehicle Tavera. Still, the first question that Barra is inevitably asked is about being a trendsetter and whether this heralds a new trend of women in corner rooms.
