Ed Zander's transformational leadership at Motorola

¶ … Management)

What would be an effective vision statement for Motorola?

It seems that since this article has been written, Motorola went a bit further and started defining its vision statement. According to their website: "Motorola's vision of seamless mobility is all about technology revolving around you...effortlessly." This is what Ed Zander, chairman and chief executive officer of Motorola states, when discussing the company's vision: "It's the ultimate combination of cool, cutting-edge technology and fashion-forward design. Seamless mobility is here, it's MOTONOW." Although the company does not have a clearly designed vision statement, they are heading in the right direction, focusing on combining all four big end markets: the individual, the home, the auto and the big organization and bringing about really competitive products. Even more, when accessing their webpage you find this motto defining what the company does: "We're scientists. We're artists. Most of all, we are a global communications leader, powered by, and driving, seamless mobility. Motorola is revolutionizing broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks - bringing cutting-edge technologies into your everyday life, with style."

4. What criticisms might you make of Zander's leadership approach?

I do not think that is leadership approach is yet to be criticized because since his naming he has managed to recover the market share Motorola lost and, moreover, to keep the promises made to the world. Motorola is currently reinventing itself under the leadership of Ed Zander. He might not be the best leader in the world, but it seems he was the best choice for Motorola in a moment when people almost forgot about that brand. Ed Zander has an approach that brings him close to people's needs, primarily focusing on what is to be done rather than on what should be done. He sets clear targets and makes sure they are achieved before moving on. Maybe he is not as aggressive as it should be, but Motorola is regaining its once lost position in Forbes Top 500, and part of it is due to this person's ability to manage such a large company.

Motorola Worldwide, 2007, provided by Motorola, Inc., July 2007 available online at: http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail.jsp?globalObjectId=5802_5770_23

Motorola Worldwide, 2007, provided by Motorola, Inc., July 2007 available online at: http://www.motorola.com/about.jsp