Is graham McDonald really this stupid!?
Discussion
I don't normally comment on stories like this.
But this man displays monumental levels of PR stupidity!
If he was a senior member of my management team, he would be swiftly removed from office for this frankly idiotic PR interview on national television!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=102041...
But this man displays monumental levels of PR stupidity!
If he was a senior member of my management team, he would be swiftly removed from office for this frankly idiotic PR interview on national television!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=102041...
I think Nigel's point was that the interview took place in their factory full of sevens in production - and not one being worked on, while discussing the the head line 'Things look bleak for Caterham'. PR disaster of the biggest level.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/9530942/thin...
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/9530942/thin...
Edited by DCL on Friday 24th October 23:24
DCL said:
I think Nigel's point was that the interview took place in their factory full of sevens in production - and not one being worked on, while discussing the the head line 'Things look bleak for Caterham'. PR disaster of the biggest level.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/9530942/thin...
That was exactly my point, thanks for clarifying!http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/9530942/thin...
Edited by DCL on Friday 24th October 23:24
And sorry if you could not see my post on the Facebook link too!
I sincerely hope Caterham Cars UK issues a statement to clarify the fact that it is only the Caterham F1 business that is in trouble, and that the manufacturing business of caterham sevens is thriviing and profitable!
I read the Caterham press release and couldn't believe the way it had been written, executives at this level shouldn't air dirty washing in public. To now see an interview take place in the Caterham Cars factory about the woes of Caterham F1, is as Nigel says a complete PR disaster. If the situation wasn't confusing enough for those on the outside it's just been muddied further. Graham McDonald had every opportunity to make a clear distinction between Caterham Cars and the F1 organisation, that he failed to do and he'll likely regret it.
Well he was the bean counter, not an engineer. I always wondered how an accountant can run a niche car building company like Caterham. Surely you need direction from an engineering mind, and the accountant should look after the pennies.
Seems strange to me that Caterham F1 have run up the debts, and are now blaming the supposed purchasers for the liquidation.
Why would he be commenting about the F1 team anyway? His job is with Caterham cars.
Seems strange to me that Caterham F1 have run up the debts, and are now blaming the supposed purchasers for the liquidation.
Why would he be commenting about the F1 team anyway? His job is with Caterham cars.
Edited by mickrick on Saturday 25th October 09:40
DCL said:
I think Nigel's point was that the interview took place in their factory full of sevens in production - and not one being worked on, while discussing the the head line 'Things look bleak for Caterham'. PR disaster of the biggest level.
Certainly a decent PR or media person might have worked on that but there are a several points to consider: it was probably recorded one evening after the staff had gone home; it would be a nightmare trying to record with people using power and hand tools behind them, it would, almost certainly, made for a unbroadcastable recording(every recording team wants the quietest possible location and it makes a HUGE difference); I expect the producer/camera op/PA wanted to record away from the office to get a more interesting context. Macdonald was out-manoeuvred here.The business dealings are at least as shocking in my view.
mickrick said:
Why would he be commenting about the F1 team anyway? His job is with Caterham cars.
Because GM is now "group" MD or whatever its called - so he is over all operations that Tony owns in terms of the brand Caterham - which is not just the road cars. They no longer own the F1 or GP2/3 though (and he was not involved in those projects when it was under TF) so its just the road cars now and the smaller projects with CTI etc.Edited by mickrick on Saturday 25th October 09:40
I also wonder if a better PR agent would be challenging the headline here http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
"Caterham's administrators put the whole shebang up for sale as a job lot, ready to race"
OK, it is the sub-headline to "FOR SALE: ONE F1 TEAM" but there could be an implication that the administration applies across the whole of Caterham Group, which is not the case. Only the F1 operation is in administration.
"Caterham's administrators put the whole shebang up for sale as a job lot, ready to race"
OK, it is the sub-headline to "FOR SALE: ONE F1 TEAM" but there could be an implication that the administration applies across the whole of Caterham Group, which is not the case. Only the F1 operation is in administration.
I hate to say it, but I'm hardly surprised. Almost nothing Caterham does seems professional. I'm sure there's lots, but nothing I've come into contact with. Caterham insurance. Shambles. STILL managing to send out kits with incorrect and missing parts. Manuals for self build a challenge at best and often not kit specific. The very fact that self builders are on first name terms with parts folk tells it's own tale. Then we have the comical parts store online, where everything seems out of stock.
Let's face it, we love the product and are protective of the company, but sometimes it's quite hard to love.
Let's face it, we love the product and are protective of the company, but sometimes it's quite hard to love.
I fully concur with all the comments made here.
Why hasnt McDonald/Caterham Cars Ltd made a formal announcement that the debt and Administration issue is limited to the F1 Team only?
He talks on Sky News at the front of an empty factory floor about how Caterham staff will be effected by this fiasco - leaving the viewer entirely able to conclude that he is referring to Caterham Cars staff. He has missed a clear opportunity to clarify the point.
Agree with the comments about the mud slinging press release too - very unprofessional. Not only that but McDonlad appears to come across with total indifference to the collateral reputational damage to the Caterham car brand. He doesnt come across as savvy enough to do the job he is employed to do unfortunately.
How depressing
Why hasnt McDonald/Caterham Cars Ltd made a formal announcement that the debt and Administration issue is limited to the F1 Team only?
He talks on Sky News at the front of an empty factory floor about how Caterham staff will be effected by this fiasco - leaving the viewer entirely able to conclude that he is referring to Caterham Cars staff. He has missed a clear opportunity to clarify the point.
Agree with the comments about the mud slinging press release too - very unprofessional. Not only that but McDonlad appears to come across with total indifference to the collateral reputational damage to the Caterham car brand. He doesnt come across as savvy enough to do the job he is employed to do unfortunately.
How depressing
Graham is a nice guy, but it has been a bad week for Caterham generally.
The Press Release and this video are both so unprofessional you have to wonder is it any surprise at all the F1 outfit failed.
However....this is from the same team that bought you these madcap ideas....
Hopefully this week will see everything become clearer, no more PR disasters and confirmation Caterham Cars will be effected only in that it will be the sole management focus moving forwards!
If any company I know needs management training, and how to engage and look after your customers it is this lot!
Hopefully so good things will eventually come from this mess....!
Good luck Graham and all....and no more TV interviews in empty warehouses.....
The Press Release and this video are both so unprofessional you have to wonder is it any surprise at all the F1 outfit failed.
However....this is from the same team that bought you these madcap ideas....
Hopefully this week will see everything become clearer, no more PR disasters and confirmation Caterham Cars will be effected only in that it will be the sole management focus moving forwards!
If any company I know needs management training, and how to engage and look after your customers it is this lot!
Hopefully so good things will eventually come from this mess....!
Good luck Graham and all....and no more TV interviews in empty warehouses.....
Can't get excited frankly - but I am not really in a position to say that "if GM ran my car company/ was on my management team" etc. I would rather Caterham stuck with their amateur efforts than become another slick PR machine . And if you want to buy a Seven I don't think the F1 team's efforts will have too much bearing on your decision . Or maybe I'm wrong - maybe I will see roads full of ersatz MGs because Plato won some races ? Only ever seen two off a race track...
nigelpugh7 said:
I don't normally comment on stories like this.
But this man displays monumental levels of PR stupidity!
If he was a senior member of my management team, he would be swiftly removed from office for this frankly idiotic PR interview on national television!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=102041...
I just looked at the interview, it starts off by saying Good Evening so clearly comments about cars not being worked on is not taking in the time of day.But this man displays monumental levels of PR stupidity!
If he was a senior member of my management team, he would be swiftly removed from office for this frankly idiotic PR interview on national television!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=102041...
It is questionable to be in the Caterham cars factory when Caterham F1 and associated companies are being discussed
Graham looks nervous in the interview but I would challenge anyone on tis forum not to be when a camera is shoved in to your face and 'live' questions are bing fired at you.
It may have been better to have had the interview in his office.
Lets face facts, Caterham Cars was brought to re-name a F! team I could be wrong here but if Morgan, TVR, Ginetta was up for sale at the time it could have been Morgan, TVR or Ginetta F1. I would suggest its a name of convenience. We all know that Caterham of old never had the budget or in-house development capable of creating an F1 team let alone a new road car.
The issue is mixing the Caterham Cars name along with re-writting history by not mentioning Lotus and re-branding (yes that green oblong with yellow strips as a nose badge) will all help confuse the masses.
So with the selling of F1, the split with Renault surly its time just to focus on the core values of the 7......
Toaster said:
I just looked at the interview, it starts off by saying Good Evening so clearly comments about cars not being worked on is not taking in the time of day.
It is questionable to be in the Caterham cars factory when Caterham F1 and associated companies are being discussed
Graham looks nervous in the interview but I would challenge anyone on tis forum not to be when a camera is shoved in to your face and 'live' questions are bing fired at you.
It may have been better to have had the interview in his office.
Lets face facts, Caterham Cars was brought to re-name a F! team I could be wrong here but if Morgan, TVR, Ginetta was up for sale at the time it could have been Morgan, TVR or Ginetta F1. I would suggest its a name of convenience. We all know that Caterham of old never had the budget or in-house development capable of creating an F1 team let alone a new road car.
The issue is mixing the Caterham Cars name along with re-writting history by not mentioning Lotus and re-branding (yes that green oblong with yellow strips as a nose badge) will all help confuse the masses.
So with the selling of F1, the split with Renault surly its time just to focus on the core values of the 7......
Indeed, and bring the proper badge back.
It is questionable to be in the Caterham cars factory when Caterham F1 and associated companies are being discussed
Graham looks nervous in the interview but I would challenge anyone on tis forum not to be when a camera is shoved in to your face and 'live' questions are bing fired at you.
It may have been better to have had the interview in his office.
Lets face facts, Caterham Cars was brought to re-name a F! team I could be wrong here but if Morgan, TVR, Ginetta was up for sale at the time it could have been Morgan, TVR or Ginetta F1. I would suggest its a name of convenience. We all know that Caterham of old never had the budget or in-house development capable of creating an F1 team let alone a new road car.
The issue is mixing the Caterham Cars name along with re-writting history by not mentioning Lotus and re-branding (yes that green oblong with yellow strips as a nose badge) will all help confuse the masses.
So with the selling of F1, the split with Renault surly its time just to focus on the core values of the 7......
Indeed, and bring the proper badge back.
Redbrix said:
Why hasnt McDonald/Caterham Cars Ltd made a formal announcement that the debt and Administration issue is limited to the F1 Team only?
I think CCL will fall victim to this fiasco pretty soon. You dont own a conpany if the share capital is not transferred to you - simple as that. So Caterham Group still has the shares and I would suspect the liabilities.Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff