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While scathing, it is also very informative. "Not interested" and a vague "lookin' better elsewhere" doesn't get into the reality of "why?" Methinks he did the

While scathing, it is also very informative. "Not interested" and a vague "lookin' better elsewhere" doesn't get into the reality of "why?" Methinks he did them a great service in being brutally honest. Those trying to solve the obvious problems will make much greater progress with such a letter in hand, rather than the usual apologetic tact. "Helpful are the wounds of a friend..." I'm sure he would, in fact, like to buy a French tire factory, but ridiculous pay for minuscule work makes for an offer no less insulting than his reply.

rdl 14y ago
Yes, but there is no percentage in it for him. It's like telling a random fat person on the bus that he's fat. Probably nothing happens, but there is a small chance he will fly into a rage, or will tell everyone that you called him fat (maybe blogging about it, with video!). There's a much smaller chance that he'll suddenly start to diet/exercise, but how does that benefit you? It's different if it's a friend/family member, or if you're hired as a trainer or doctor.
- ctdonath 14y ago
  There is a percentage in it for him: I'm sure he would like to own a French tire factory IF they actually had competitive productivity. With a verbal kick in the pants, perhaps the situation will change and he'll get a viable opportunity there. That aside, he's giving someone fair warning they're engaging in self-destructive behavior - a kind act. And no, it's not like telling a random fat person he's fat. He was approached with a request that he purchase the company. It's more like an obese slob applying for a serving-staff position at Hooters or Tilted Kilt.
  - nraynaud 14y ago
    France is not the greatest manufacturing country, it's still one of the most productive country in the world, by a lot of measures.
    - rdl 14y ago
      Somewhat ironically, it's also one of the best manufacturers for tires, the product specifically mentioned in the article. Michelin (for passenger car tires) is amazing, although their US-market tires (at least for everything but some specific race/customs) are all made in South Carolina.
cantastoria 14y ago
Agreed. As someone who does a lot of biz dev, I would be thrilled if a prospective partner was this honest with me.
Shivetya 14y ago
Over at the daily mail they added a bit to the WSJ story, namely that even French officials have said the same. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2281645/Maurice-Taylor-Tycoon-reveals-WONT-rescuing-lazy-workers-French-tyre-factory-doomed-closure.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2281645/Maurice-Tayl... As in Christine Lagarde, now head of IMF, did not have good comments about the work her own people do

rdl 14y ago

Yes, but there is no percentage in it for him. It's like telling a random fat person on the bus that he's fat. Probably nothing happens, but there is a small chance he will fly into a rage, or will tell everyone that you called him fat (maybe blogging about it, with video!). There's a much smaller chance that he'll suddenly start to diet/exercise, but how does that benefit you? It's different if it's a friend/family member, or if you're hired as a trainer or doctor.

ctdonath 14y ago
There is a percentage in it for him: I'm sure he would like to own a French tire factory IF they actually had competitive productivity. With a verbal kick in the pants, perhaps the situation will change and he'll get a viable opportunity there. That aside, he's giving someone fair warning they're engaging in self-destructive behavior - a kind act. And no, it's not like telling a random fat person he's fat. He was approached with a request that he purchase the company. It's more like an obese slob applying for a serving-staff position at Hooters or Tilted Kilt.
- nraynaud 14y ago
  France is not the greatest manufacturing country, it's still one of the most productive country in the world, by a lot of measures.
  - rdl 14y ago
    Somewhat ironically, it's also one of the best manufacturers for tires, the product specifically mentioned in the article. Michelin (for passenger car tires) is amazing, although their US-market tires (at least for everything but some specific race/customs) are all made in South Carolina.

cantastoria 14y ago

Agreed. As someone who does a lot of biz dev, I would be thrilled if a prospective partner was this honest with me.

Shivetya 14y ago

Over at the daily mail they added a bit to the WSJ story, namely that even French officials have said the same. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2281645/Maurice-Taylor-Tycoon-reveals-WONT-rescuing-lazy-workers-French-tyre-factory-doomed-closure.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2281645/Maurice-Tayl... As in Christine Lagarde, now head of IMF, did not have good comments about the work her own people do