Agree with everything you say but there is an additional problem in that many "managers" are not "home grown" or come from the tools for service management, or parts department for parts management. Service supervisors may, simply because those above need a cushion between them and those on the front linem as they dont understand the specific mechanical concepts. Another problem is sales "people" being allowed to manage anything, this is totally wrong as they live in a fantasy, spin doctoring and duplicitous world. Commissions should be held back for 6 months to ensure the right equipment has been supplied, if not no commission and no commission for supplying the correct one of sorting out the mess. To manage anything anything you need honesty, appropriate knowledge, and integrity. You dont have any of these attributes by just saying you have. Using professional recruitment agencies is another contributory problem. They place people whose CV's "interest them", so if you are a good spin doctor, economic with the truth, risk taker, (they will never check this out) or just lack integrity, you are on the ladder. I am aware of CV's posted on several internet "notice boards" by people I have knowledge of that are largely fictitious, one attributed some of my achievements to himself. Agencies pocket a very generous commission, often offer a refund if the candidate is found unsuitable within 3 months, which is rarely long enough to display your true colours. The industry is to blame for not having appropriate sucession planning in place, and at the same time believing the myth, that people and ideas from other industries hold the keys and mantras for unrivalled growth and success, yep its all BS and has screwed up this and many outher industries. "Always follow the money", its the unaccountable grey people who are getting rich by "consultants" pedalling untruths and "employment experts" supplying inexperienced and unsuitable staff from outside, that have seriously contributed to the mess.