It was announced April 23 that the book, “Return to Greatness: Driving the American Dream”, just released by Clifton Lambreth and co-authored by Mary Calia and Patrick Doyle, explains to the American public for the first time, in candid and inspiring detail, how Ford Motor Company, a 100-year-old corporation, went from a $12.7 billion loss in 2006 to a $2 billion profit in three years – while the rest of the industry continues to struggle. As the recent turmoil in the automotive industry is reported in daily news of recalls, lost jobs or lawsuits, there is a bright spot for the U.S. economy.
In his first book in 2007, “Ford and the American Dream”, author Clifton Lambreth, a 20-plus-year veteran of the Ford Motor Company, risked everything to tell the world what was going wrong at Ford and how to fix it. Now, Lambreth states, about Return to Greatness, "Ford was the only ‘Detroit 3’ automaker not to take a government bailout and yet it has been outperforming the other major automotive companies without taking a penny from the American taxpayers. The book reveals what went wrong at Ford and at many of the other automotive manufacturers, and what it took to turn Ford around. It tells the story of a man who learns timeless business and management practices from the ghost of Henry Ford and challenges the reader to consider that many of the principles covered apply not only to business but also to every aspect of American life."
Lambreth continues: "In a landscape cluttered with companies relying on huge government bailouts, Ford has distinguished itself by a different strategy - returning to the principles upon which Henry Ford founded the company. Categorized as creative non-fiction, the book points to those responsible for bringing Ford back from the brink of bankruptcy only a few short years ago and back to profitability. It challenges and inspires anyone in today's business community, trying to excel in difficult times. The book centers on events culminating in the re-emergence of Ford as a leader in the American automotive industry, reminding Americans about the power of staying positive in difficult times, whether they are corporate executives, managers, or just entering the workforce. As time-honored principles are the critical elements to re-discovering the American Dream itself, the book outlines leadership and accountability principles and the fundamental economic and political issues facing America today, and offers a step by step turn around plan which Ford successfully applied in its own dramatic turnaround, and which can be used by any business in any industry sector in the world today."
According to Professor Joseph J. Lescota, chairman of Automotive Retail Management at Northwood University, the premier school in automotive management, "Ford is definitely back on track and the marketplace is feeling the positive energy. This new book sums up the potential that we all have when we look in the mirror and recognize our challenges, identify a great leader, form a plan and execute with focus and passion. Ford is facing its challenges head-on just like our country needs to do. Readers will not only draw the same conclusion as I did, but they'll enjoy the relaxed way historical facts are presented. What more, it's a must read and a breath of fresh air for businesses everywhere."
“Return to Greatness: Driving the American Dream” is illustrated by the world renowned artist, Igor Babailov, who has painted world leaders, celebrities and distinguished individuals including two popes, presidents, prime ministers and global leaders. The book is available at www.thereturntogreatness.com and at bookstores everywhere.