This guy was once the head of Steelcase, charged with anticipating the future workplace. But what in the world is that device over his right shoulder?
What can you say? Jim Hackett is widely credited with being the most forward-looking thinker Steelcase had ever had, with the possible exception of one of the founders who actually thought up the metal wastebasket. Up until that time (like 1918) waste cans were made from wood. Kinda dumb since office workers would throw their cigars into them still lit, resulting in workplaces that were reduced to ashes. Wastebaskets: good idea.
Hackett helped invent Details, Turnstone, and a host of cool office systems like Pathways and many others. He even, kinda, anticipated coworking. But despite all that forward-thinking, we can’t help but question his pick of Jim Harbaugh for head coach of that school up North while he was interim director of athletics at said school (whose name shall not be spoken). And we shouldn’t forget that since hiring Harbaugh it’s now been 3,093 days (as of May 15th) since that school has beaten Ohio State. That’s a long time (hint: it’s gonna be lots longer, and never as long as Harbaugh is there). But I digress.
So, it seems Hackett has made at least one really poor (or great, depending on which school you root for) decision. I think, however, it’s time to post one more. Hackett, shown above in what we hope is his home office, is displaying the latest in modern technology - apparently. Over his right shoulder is a 1980s era IBM Selectric typewriter (I would know since I have one too - in a closet), a true mark of tech prowess. I think not.
Yes, this is the same Jim Hackett who, as head of Ford, is bringing out an all-electric Mustang cross over. Hopefully, it has the latest in rechargeable battery technology, and not D cells.
Meanwhile, Hackett said he and Bill Ford, the company’s executive chairman, spoke with governors and members of Congress nationwide about plans to reopen, including Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“There were lots of discussions across the country,” he says.
Hackett made the remarks to Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer during a conversation that will air on May 18 in an episode of Yahoo Finance’s “Influencers with Andy Serwer,” a weekly interview series with leaders in business, politics, and entertainment.