In my 2009 book, Business Decisions!, I discussed the exceptional decision made by Ford in November 2006 to borrow $23.6 billion to get the cash necessary to weather the storm of a potential business downturn. The company mortgaged everything, including its logo. It wasn't forced to borrow the money; it made a strategic decision to be prepared. Yesterday, Ford announced that it made a $2.6 billion profit, its fifth consecutive profitable quarter. Its two major domestic competitors, GM and Chrysler, were forced into bankruptcy. Increasingly, businesses are being separated between those that make good decisions and those that don't.

Ford is a good example of what I like to call The Decisive Corporation. The Decisive Corporation knows when and how to make the right strategic and operational decisions throughout its entire enterprise. Like Ford, it makes strategic decisions in anticipation of an opportunity or potential threat. Too many other businesses make decisions only when forced to confront an immediate threat or as part of their annual planning process, which usually only focuses on budgeting decision for the upcoming year. They simply overlook or never get around to thinking about the critical strategic decisions.

Ford also made other important decisions after Alan Mulally joined the company in October 2006. He revamped the organization and some of its major processes to be more decisive. This resulted in getting new products out faster and improving its manufacturing and sales strategies. A leader like Mulally doesn't make all the decisions -- instead he shapes the business into a Decisive Corporation. I've recently completed research on what makes a Decisive Corporation and will be launching a series of seminars on it in October. It is a combination of the right organization structure, effective business processes, and the competencies of groups and individuals to make decisions. Decisive Corporations, such as Ford, will succeed in the future -- others will flounder or fail in the face of a much less forgiving economy.

About the Author
Michael E. McGrath is a best selling author and world expert on decision-making. His recent book Decide Better! for a Better Life was a finalist for the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year and his Decide Better! for College won both the iParenting Book Award the National Best Book Award. He is a renowned CEO, business advisor and speaker who has taught decision-making skills for 25 years. Featured frequently in the media for his decision-making and turn-around skills as a CEO, he holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Michael E. McGrath may be contacted at http://www.decidebetter.com. Click here to view more articles by Michael E. McGrath.