Four Strategies the New GM Can Do To Succeed

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Four Strategies the New GM Can Do To Succeed

2009 July 12tags:Automakers,Bailout,Detroit,General Motors,The Little Guy by Mitch Chester

GM can learn a lot from this Volkswagen assembly plant and how it engages the consumer.

The “new” General Motors has a unique and critical chance to reinvent itself. Here are four things it can do reignite America’s relationshipwith the brand:1.

Nationwide

Consumer Town Halls

- The new GM should embark on a series of meetings with the motor vehicle consumer, state-by-state,to engage in a dialogue about consumer expectations, creative product development, safety, green initiatives and energy consumption. Eachsuch meeting should be televised live on the Internet, and available for re-broadcast on GM’s parent and product pages. A running list of ideasgenerated from the meetings should be shared on the web for further customer feedback, while still protecting any proprietary initiatives thatemerge. If successful, the gatherings should be conducted annually.2.

Lifetime Concierge Service for Purchasers-

American consumers expect a lot, and rightly so. Just as OnStar follows a vehicle, so should personal service. The days of driving off the lot and ending your relationship with Detroit (except for being a slave to the service department)should be ended. Each new car buyer from GM should be assigned a personal concierge “ambassador” to assist in product questions, servicedisputes, and owner feedback. This will forge a new and stronger bond between the automaker and those on the street who have invested in thecompany’s future by purchasing products. Stronger and innovative warranties should be provided as a backbone to this consumer-ambassador relationship.3.

Bonding by

Viewing Vehicle Birth-

For new car and truck customers, the experience should be one of a bond, from the birth of the car.Like Volkswagen (see video) new GM vehicle purchasers should be able tovisit the final assembly factory of their means of transportation and

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watch it take form. Personally and/or virtually engaged in the customization of the product (from color to accessories to special tech andcollision avoidane options), the consumer should be given the opportunity to forge an emotional bond with his or her wheels from the birth of the product to the date it is sold or traded in for a new model.4.

Put Consumer Representatives On The Board of Directors-

As advocated by noted investment author Ellis Traub,

r

ather than beinglimited to the “suits” and “professionals,” the yet to be appointed Board of Directors should include the “Little Guys,” a group of consumerswho can bring creativity and “from the road” common sense to the car maker process. Shareholder meetings should be televised live throughstreaming video. These consumer Directors, who would also represent the American Taxpayer (which has saved GM), might make a hugedifference in the view from the top and its application to the re-birth of American automotive creativity.Tell us your ideas…

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Bailout,Detroit,General Motors

,The Little Guy

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