Day 2: Further with Ford- 2013 Trend Conference

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

Continuing with Day 2 of  the Go Further with Ford adventure, BB wasn't just whistlin' La Guantanamera when she said in the last post that this would be a full day.  Just look at the schedule below- and try not to wince. 

 Ahuh. 

 If there was one thing I'd suggest Ford to change, it's that 6 am breakfast call.  So does that mean Babushka went without? JU SO FONII!! My Cuban appetite is such a trooper; it ordered a made for BB omelette along with plates of fruit and pastries- and that was before the first cafe.

At 7:15 am Babushka and the rest of the zombies (BB refuses to believe anyone is awake at this time) head to the conference center.  Here we have more cafe waiting for us. Viste?? Babushka's not the only one who saw the zombie resemblance.  

A las 8:15 a.m., in hopes that we're now awake, we officially start the day and are welcomed by Ford's Executive Chairman.

Bill Ford- William Clay Ford Jr.

Executive Chairman Ford Motor Company

Bill is the great-grandson of Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. Si, THE Ford and Firestone.  With that kind of lineage sabes that he's gotta know a thing or two about carros.  And he does, mixing tales of the future with anecdotes of the past, he was knowledgeable and entertaining; he did his tatarabuelos proud.

Next came Ford's Global Trends and Futuring Expert, someone who's very knowledgeable and entertaining in her own right, having been named to the Top 100 Most Creative People in Business List-

Sheryl Connelly

Manager, Global Trends and Futuring

Sheryl's job is finding the pulse behind consumer's wants and then trying to predict what would start that pulse a racing.  Being a lawyer, artist, and mother gives her the multi faceted vision to do the job right, and Babushka cheered her speeches and her chutzpah.  

After the speeches it was time for the Trend Sessions.  At what are those you ask?  Remember the Myers -Briggs test we took, this was to determine which of the following sessions we were to attend.  There was, with descriptions, panelists and corresponding colors:

Disrupting The Drive - How technology was changing the driving experience-#FordTech

*Milly Wood, CNET  *Steve Wozniak, co-founder Apple computer *Jim Buczkowski, Ford

Greentopia- Global Sustainability-#FordGreen

*Andy Hoffman,Univ. of Michigan,*Erin Simon,WorldWildlife Fund,*Scott A.Vitters,Coca-Cola,*John Viera, Ford

Returning to Your Senses-Balancing Technology & Avoiding Digital Overload #FordWellness

*Jenny Lykken,Google,*Neema Moraveji,Stanford University,*Sherry Turkle,Massachusetts Institute of Technology,*Amy Marentic, Ford,*Gary Strumolo, Ford

Sculpting The Future- Resonating & Finding Purpose- #FordDesign

*Seth Godin,Author,*Rachel Shechtman,Cube Ventures,*Jay Ward,Pixar Animation*J Mays,Ford

Trust is the New Black- Trust & Brand Equity- #FordTrust

*Anjali Kumar,Warby Parker,*Rob Michalak,Ben & Jerry's,*Tim Erblich,Ethisphere Institute, *Jim Farley, Ford

If you notice, there were some pretty big names there. In BB's world we'd say it was an all star cast, but you know what?  They weren't reciting Shakespeare. No My Beautifuls, they were talking terms and temas Babushka could follow. True, I didn't attend the #FordTech session (not surprisingly it wasn't picked by my test score) but something tells me it would have been the same. Not only did BB's eyes not glaze over as they usually do when they start with car lingo, Babushka was so inspired by the #FordDesign panel that instead of questioning them I thanked them for their contributions- and for keeping it real.  What can I say?  BB was bursting with Plebian Pride; this was a car conference one could follow, learn, and contribute to.

Some pics and quotes from the sessions BB attended-

"The future is already here, it's just not very evenly distributed."

~William Gibson as quoted by Andy Hoffman

The story is what is being sold. The challenge is figuring how to matter. Do this with a story.

 ~Seth Godin

And speaking of stories...

Babushka was writing this post very late and by mistake erased all her pics. Hopefully they're still in my old laptop (which needs to be repaired upon my return to Tallahassee) and I will continue with the tale of the conference.  The pics are of the fab "Felicidades Mustang on turning 50!" fiesta, the test drives on Ford vehicles (chills & thrills), and helping a neighborhood garden by driving a new, grande, gorgeous Ford truck with supplies. Oh yes BB did!!

Something Babushka also did; BB also realized that it's not enough to say we'd like to "make a difference". WE are that difference.  It doesn't matter your profession, your social status, your monetary situation, ALL of us are part of the greater good. We are part of this global world, and EVERYONE is family.  What part of your family history would you like to tell? Where are the stories sharing your passions and beliefs? As shown in past posts, sometimes it takes a major life event to help us find our voice. Have you found your story, your voice?  

The S Sisters brought advocacy and global responsibility events to BB, and in the next post I'll share with you My Beautifuls the story they were preparing me to tell. 

Hasta la Proxima,

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

And the Flow continues: Further with Ford- 2013 Trend Conference

My thanks to the Ford Motor Company for providing my flight,lodging and meals during this event. There was no request to write about my experience, nor was BB given monetary compensation. The post is Babushka's thoughts of the adventure.

As I mentioned in my last post, apparently the S Sisters wanted me to see the Universal Flow we're all part of, how each of us can make a difference, because they kept sending me to events that emphasized just that. Next, BB was sent to Detroit to go "Further with Ford". Queeee?? JU SO FONII!!!  Ok si, when we think of Ford we think cars and not anything else, but they're so much more. It has been said that with great power comes great responsibility and Babushka was pleasantly surprised by what was talked about during the conference. To give you an idea of what the mindset was behind the event, before it even started Ford asked its' attendees to complete a Myers-Briggs personality test to see what our preferences would be. Oh si My Beautifuls, this was not to be a regular car show event.

The colored dots represented the different panels/discussions- chosen by the results of our test,

 pero let's follow the steps of my prior Ford trip and begin with the trip itself.

Cachita guardando & one overhead suitcase.  BB's getting used to this airplane travel.

Another thing Babushka can get used to-

The hotel right inside the airport.

The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel,

i like, i like.

Once we checked in we were given our badges, our room keys, and told to board the bus for dinner at the Henry Ford Museum.  Now, you know BB loves an adventure, but seriously, a museum? Ford Museum?? Carros and all that??  Y'all can imagine the jetlag, but being Cubana the thought of dinner won out. In all honesty, I'm glad my growling tripas led me, because again my assumption was all wrong; the museum wasn't all about Ford and their cars.    

The beautiful decor and architectural details of the original Ford era.

So much to see, and they promised we could explore later, but first, our welcome.

Alan Mulally 

President & CEO Ford Motor Company

Our first speaker of the conference, who in Babushka's opinion set a tone that was hard to surpass. Obviously an educated man, but his speech was easy to follow- even when he touched on some of the technical aspects Ford is working on, and he genuinely seemed impressed and content to be working for and heading the Ford team.  Management who is down to earth and actually enjoys his job and the promise of all it entails. Who'd of thunk it? But then again, not much about "Further with Ford" matched the preconceptions of esta vieja.  BB for one found him fascinating and was sorry we didn't see him again during the rest of the conference.

Now what we did see lots of during the rest of the conference-

A celebration of 150 years and excelente comida, with details Ford is known for.

After the wonderful meal, we were invited to continue visiting the museum. 

In truth, a full day is needed to just visit this part of the complex, but from my mini visita some of BB's Favs- 

Hot wax souvenir maker,old style McDonald's, working diner,Baby Boomers, and a fellow re-enactor portraying Henry Ford.

Bueno, si, there were cars and motorized vehicles,

but not your average everyday variety.

Model T,Presidential limos,Wienermobile

The actual bus Rosa Parks rode when she decided to seek justice for all.

Now My Beautifuls, after that last exhibit BB couldn't imagine anything could top it, so con barriga llena y corazon contenta- my belly and heart full, it was time to return to the hotel.  Day 2 had a full schedule y escapades of enlightenment for Babushka- and some thrills and chills too.  

Until the proxima My Beautifuls,

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

p.s. BB was flown in, fed, and given a place to snore,

 the rest- like her post & opinion, was all Babushka's.