Entrepreneur of the Year: Elon Musk

[TEG]

Entrepreneur of the Year: Elon Musk

..."Musk frets over the state of Tesla Motors--he has interviewed 20 candidates and still can't find a suitable CEO"...


..."At Tesla, Musk has issued directives on seat cushions, the shape of the headlights, even the style of trunk on the company's forthcoming midrange sedan--an odd request given that his engineers have yet to figure out how exactly the thing is going to be powered. The most controversial of Musk's edicts involved the transmission. Martin Eberhard, Tesla's co-founder and then-CEO, argued that it would be quicker and easier to build the car with a single-speed transmission. Musk ordered a two-speed model so that the Roadster would be able reach a top speed of well over 100 miles per hour"...

..."The company is also working to strike a deal with a major car manufacturer (which Musk declines to name) to become a supplier of chassis and drive trains for a mass-market electric vehicle."...
[[ Phoenix??? Fisker??? Better-Place??? Renault??? Daimler??? Chrysler??? Ford??? ]]

 

[TEG]

During many of Martin's interviews he uses the term "freaking" a lot.
Perhaps a nod to the "fracking" fest in Battlestar Galactica?

Now I see Elon saying it in his interview.
I wonder who started that?!

Musk: "I got so freaking jacked that I seriously started to feel like I was losing my peripheral vision,"
Eberhard:"Air bags are 'freaking amazing'"

Maybe I just don't get out enough and everyone is using that term these days?

 

[tonybelding]

"The most controversial of Musk's edicts involved the transmission. Martin Eberhard, Tesla's co-founder and then-CEO, argued that it would be quicker and easier to build the car with a single-speed transmission. Musk ordered a two-speed model so that the Roadster would be able reach a top speed of well over 100 miles per hour"

It would indeed have been quicker and easier to build the car with a single-speed transmission. But the car wouldn't have performed the way it does. It would have been half-assed. I think the two-speed transmission is one of the most appealing features of the car.

Now of course, in retrospect we can see all the problems they've had because of it, and it's frustrating. But you know. . . I'm still glad they went with the two-speed gearbox for the Roadster. Despite everything, I still think it was the right call. Tesla has no business putting out a half-assed car as their first product.

"The company is also working to strike a deal with a major car manufacturer (which Musk declines to name) to become a supplier of chassis and drive trains for a mass-market electric vehicle."...
[[ Phoenix??? Fisker??? Better-Place??? ]]

None of those are what I would call "major" car manufacturers. They're startups like Tesla. When I hear "major" I think of GM, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Volkswagen. . .

 

[TEG]

None of those are what I would call "major" car manufacturers. They're startups like Tesla. When I hear "major" I think of GM, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Volkswagen. . .

Yeah, right. I listed those others because they seem to have announced a product, but seem to be in search of drivetrain components and factories to build them. I supposed you could include Zap in that list, but I don't see that ever happening.

In terms of "major" manufacturers, we might as well continue speculation about Daimler/Mercedes and even Chrysler. They too have been dropping hints about EV plans.

 

[Kardax]

The thing that jumped out at me is that, in addition to (micro?)managing 3 companies, Elon has 5 kids!

It sounds almost like superhero drama: out to save the world every day but little time to spend with family...

-Ryan

 

[X-CEOsWife]

The thing that jumped out at me is that, in addition to (micro?)managing 3 companies, Elon has 5 kids!

It sounds almost like superhero drama: out to save the world every day but little time to spend with family...

Makes you wonder how he does it all. Keep in mind, Elon's wife is an author with a busy life of her own, according to her blog. I just know how much time and energy I spend keeping our family running. I have no time or energy at the end of the day for a party at the Playboy Mansion.

Maybe he is not as deeply involved in all of these companies as the article makes him out to be. The author may have given the wrong impression in the article, or maybe Elon overstated his capabilities. If he is that involved, he obviously has a housekeeper to wash his superman tights and cape. :smile:

 

[TEG]

The thing that jumped out at me is that, in addition to (micro?)managing 3 companies, Elon has 5 kids!

I think I read somewhere that they have an army of nannies to help take care of things. It helps when you have some deep pockets!

 

[X-CEOsWife]

I can not imagine letting "an army of nannies" raise our kids. That is our job, not the job of the hired help. :wink:

 

[TEG]

I can not imagine letting "an army of nannies" raise our kids. That is our job, not the job of the hired help. :wink:

Yes, well, I feel the same way now, but twins + triplets plus money to afford the help could possibly change my mind!

When I was at the hospital years back with my newly born twins, a doctor came up and said "how are your twins doing?". I said "do I know you?". He said "oh not yet, but I thought I would just ask", and I said "how do you know we have twins?" He said "after many years at the hospital I can tell just by the look in the parent's faces... Those with twins just looked tired. Those with triplets look like basket cases."

 

[vfx]

I thought it might make Martin feel good that the search for a new CEO continues with so many canidates rejected. Martin may not have been the right man in Elon's eyes but a the same time he is not so easily replaced either.

I would take a bit of solice in that.

 

[vfx]

OK but it still took a while: http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=746

 

[Brent]

I think I read somewhere that they have an army of nannies to help take care of things. It helps when you have some deep pockets!

The people I've known in his income category typically have at least one nanny per two children, a full-time housekeeper, and an assistant or two. I knew one guy who would "receive" his infant daughter right after her evening bath, bounce her on his knees for a minute, and then hand her back to the nanny to be put to bed. I'm not a parent, so I have no right to say anything, but that looked awfully like hobby parenting to me...

 

[TEG]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7582265

"Musk, named entrepreneur of the year in the current issue of Inc. magazine, said Wednesday that issues with the Roadster's transmission remain, but the company was on pace to deliver cars early next year."

 

[TEG]

http://online.wsj.com/public/articl...072-92reBtei2R5sxdUeYjsVNGZV160_20081127.html
"The single biggest driver of the schedule is the transmission," Mr. Musk said.
"Longer term, Mr. Musk and other Tesla executives have said they want to develop other, more affordable electric vehicles. Mr. Musk said the company plans to have announcements about its next moves next year."

(plans to announce soon about next year's plans, or plans to wait until next year to announce?)

 

[bobw]

Martin and Elon Have Small Children

During many of Martin's interviews he uses the term "freaking" a lot.
Perhaps a nod to the "fracking" fest in Battlestar Galactica?

Now I see Elon saying it in his interview.
I wonder who started that?!

Musk: "I got so freaking jacked that I seriously started to feel like I was losing my peripheral vision,"
Eberhard:"Air bags are 'freaking amazing'"

Maybe I just don't get out enough and everyone is using that term these days?

You have to watch what you say, because they'll repeat it when you least expect it. I say "flaming", myself.

 

[vfx]

Musk: "I got so freaking jacked that I seriously started to feel like I was losing my peripheral vision,"
Eberhard:"Air bags are 'freaking amazing'"

On the radio, DJ's often say "F-in"


I've also noticed Martin stars out a lot of explanations with the word, "So".

And that Zak has picked up on it too.

 

[TEG]

Friggen'/Fricken'/Fracken'/Freakin'
I guess we rotate the popular F-word substitute of the moment.

Oh our US halibut filters and media censors.
Not like the BBC (warning: uncensored swearing below):

 

[bobw]

Martin and Elon Have Much Experience with the Media

Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk have both shown their skill with the media. Foul language doesn't play well. It's best not to develop the habit.