Ford Motor Company’s “Secret Weapon” They Used For Their Incredible Comeback… Dr. Willie Jolley This month is a little different; Instead of an article, I have the honor of interviewing Ford Motor Company’s “Secret Weapon” they used for their incredible comeback. According to Success Magazine, Best Selling Author, Syndicated Radio Show Host, Hall Of Fame Speaker, Dr. Willie Jolley is that “Secret Weapon”. SVB – Willie, it is an honor to be able to interview you! I have read your book “A Setback Is A Set Up For A Comeback” as well as have listened to you speak and watched your videos. As a member of the National Speakers Association myself, I understand and appreciate a true “Professional Speaker”. Lets get into the interview: SVB – Tell our readers a little bit about yourself… WJ – Thank you so much Sean for your time & interest in interviewing me. I always start every presentation, speech and interview with a poem that I have become known by: “I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it Forced Upon me, can’t refuse it, Didn’t seek it, Didn’t choose it, But its up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, But an eternity is in it! Dr. Benjamin Mays- SVB – I Love it! Its so, true! WJ – I am a professional speaker, motivator, inspirational speaker, I host a syndicated radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio That reaches millions of people. I am also blessed to have written several books that have reached the “Best Sellers” lists. Among these are “A Setback Is A Set Up For A comeback”. But I wasn’t always successful. I was a broke / busted Jazz singer for a Nightclub in Washington D.C. until I was fired and replaced by a Karaoke machine because it was more economic for ROI. SVB - Are you serious? Wow… WJ – Yes, It wasn’t personal. It was business. That is when I decided to change my life. I took a job with the DC Public school system and the drug prevention coordinator. I started giving speeches to kids and for the first 5 years of my career I spoke to kids. Then I became a fulltime speaker. I moved to the colleges, became a top speaker for the colleges and then went into the corporate sector, conducting Keynotes. However a lot of people have come to know me for my work with a small company called Ford Motor Company… SVB – That is AMAZING! How did you wind up working with Ford? WJ – In 2006 I received a call from Ford Motor Company, they said they were on the brink of bankruptcy and they have a new CEO coming in named Allan Mulally and they needed to turn this company around. They went on to tell me that they are looking for the right person that can help us turn this company around. Someone that can help us inspire, encourage and motivate our people to think differently and change the culture. I worked with Ford from 2006, 2007 and 2008 going all over the country, speaking to all of the Ford Plants, on their Television shows that they played internally as well as working with some of their dealerships directly. SVB – What were you speaking to them about exactly? WJ- I spoke about their attitude, ethics, changing your thinking, about transformation. And in 2009, Ford Motor Company was the ONLY one of the “Big 3” to NOT take a government bailout. SVB – Willie, that is truly AMAZING! Wow! WJ – Thank you Sean, I give all the credit to Ford’s CEO, Alan Mulally. I just appreciate him allowing me to be a tiny part of the solution. That opportunity lead to General Motors reading about me in the Detroit Free Press and them reaching out to me to hire me to work with them as well. SVB- Wait a minute, so you not only worked with Ford Motor Company but you also worked with General Motors? WJ - That is correct. It is a blessing. Since Success Magazine dubbed me the “Comeback King”, I have had numerous Fortune 100 corporations hire me to work with their organizations. SVB – I heard that you have a PHD in “Achievement”? WJ –That is correct, I have a Doctorate in Achievement and my focus is on attitude, achievement and on how to help people do more, be more and achieve more. I help people identify what keeps them from achieving all they are capable of achieving. SVB - Can you give me your philosophy (And the reason of your clients success). WJ – My philosophy of life is: “You have been gifted with the gift of life”. What are you going to do with it? How are you going to maximize it? If not, why not? My mission is to help people do more, be more and achieve more and to do it now SVB – How do you get Car Dealerships to do more, be more and achieve more and to do it now? WJ – They have to change! If they keep doing what they have been doing… they are going to keep getting what they been getting. Dealers need to realize that they should have “excellence” as a core value. Dealers need to strive to be BETTER, not just “Bigger”. So, if a dealer wants to be the “BEST” dealership in the country. In order to be the best organization, then they must start with the BEST people. If you can not hire them, then you need to make them, grow them, develop them. That is the “Secret” to success for all of these fortune 100 companies that I have worked with like Walmart, Chevron, Verizon, Prudential. They all grow their people. The best way to grow your future is to grow yourself. The best way to grow your organization is to grow your people. Why…? Great people give great service. Good people good service, mediocre people will give mediocre service, negative people will kill your company. SVB – Willie, I am excited to know that you are the Keynote Speaker for the upcoming Internet Sales 20 Group in Atlantic City, April 8-10 I am confident that with your profound success for Ford Motor Company and General Motors combined with all of your experience with Fortune 100 corporations that you will help all of the Dealerships at the #IS20G do more, be more and achieve more immediately after your Keynote. Sir, it has been an honor to interview you. Thank you for your time WJ – The pleasure was mine. I look forward to seeing you and AutoSuccess Magazine in Atlantic City in April-
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