MADE men

I really don’t know much about the Mafia other than watching movies and growing up in Brooklyn. I’m told that once you’re confirmed as being MADE your untouchable, no one can kill you without clearing the request at the highest levels of the organization. In fact, just the mention of killing a guy who is MADE can get you killed because MADE guys are… well …made.

The Auto Industry has MADE men (including both genders). Corporate MADE men beg the question ...how is it possible they still continue to run the show or be employed ?

How do you spot a MADE man at your place of business ?

Seek those who keep making the same speech over and over again, have a vocabulary of 15 – 20 buzz words, dress to attract people to an image rather than a substance and likes floating around lunch rooms asking rank and file folks “what’s going on”.

The MADE man is also the person the advertising agency invites to presentations, movie premiers, golf outings and “on location” commercial productions.

At dealer meetings MADE men represent cocktail safety zones, no real business conversations, no real questions about dealer profitability, just easy - happy talk.

Seriously thought, the auto industry can’t afford MADE men any longer. MADE men represent excess, a failed strategy, an expense that just can’t be justified. Left untouched or uncorrected, MADE men consume six and seven figure assets at a time when corporate burn rates exceed ten figures.

October 08’s Automobile Magazine has an interesting story on page 154. The person featured could easily be the poster child for every MADE man “want-a-bee” out there.

Get your popcorn ready, I’m thinking God Father IV.

Tragic Communications - Winners and Losers

In 1979 Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca stated the failure of Chrysler would be an American tragedy, something all US citizens needed to rally around. “Bail out or bust” were the headlines and if anyone knew how to rally the troops it was the likeable, charismatic personality of Mr. Iacocca.

Mr. Iacocca lead customers into the showroom with $50 test drive offers that were simple and sincere… “Buy a car, get a check” consumers became the beneficiary. Iacocca’s style never lead on “the end was near”, rather he communicated what would be and how each and every American can participate in the company's turn-around.

Twenty Nine years later Chrysler is struggling, and with diminishing cash reserves, all domestic brands are on life support, however unlike 1979, few public and political “get well cards” are sent.

Today (for the most part) Americans view domestic leaders as hidden elitists, placing profits ahead of its customers.

Maybe public opinion is absorbed from the simple fact of how the big 3 communicate.

Recent announcements to “take back” attractive consumer leasing programs were communicated as “in your face”, “take that” type punishment to loyal customers everywhere.

Honda's CEO kicks back his chair in a pose resembling Mr. Iacocca's book cover... the title of the book "Thank you".

Editors note: Exception to Mr. Bill Ford Jr.