Comments on: Clueless on the Hill http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clueless-on-the-hill Writer, brand journalist, media strategist, Emmy Award winning former CBS News correspondent Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:44:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: dean guadagni http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1760 dean guadagni Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:18:52 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1760 David, Is it possible to pick up the pieces of a long failing brand after a disaster of bankruptcy? Could a savvy team come in and rebuild these automakers into competitive and ultimately thriving businesses despite the massive breach of trust these organizations have created with their once mighty consumer base? More pointedly, is it possible to rebuild a brand that was created with a generation in mind, baby boomers and later, that is on it's way out as mainstream demographically desirable consumers? Even if a new team could restructure these monoliths. . . who is their consumer base? David,

Is it possible to pick up the pieces of a long failing brand after a disaster of bankruptcy? Could a savvy team come in and rebuild these automakers into competitive and ultimately thriving businesses despite the massive breach of trust these organizations have created with their once mighty consumer base?

More pointedly, is it possible to rebuild a brand that was created with a generation in mind, baby boomers and later, that is on it’s way out as mainstream demographically desirable consumers?

Even if a new team could restructure these monoliths. . . who is their consumer base?

]]> By: Eric Mondschein http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1759 Eric Mondschein Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:00:50 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1759 There are no words that can adequately describe the arrogance, greed, corruption and self-centeredness that these three men represent. From corporate management and stock holders, to union leaders and their rank and file. We have lost our way There are no words that can adequately describe the arrogance, greed, corruption and self-centeredness that these three men represent. From corporate management and stock holders, to union leaders and their rank and file. We have lost our way

]]> By: David http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1758 David Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:02:20 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1758 @dean guadagni, It would be one things if the CEOs had a specific plan, were willing to take pay cuts themselves and eliminate the excesses, like private jets. But they are not willing. Either they are replaced or let Detroit go into bankruptcy which will permit smarter people to step in and clean it up. @dean guadagni,

It would be one things if the CEOs had a specific plan, were willing to take pay cuts themselves and eliminate the excesses, like private jets. But they are not willing. Either they are replaced or let Detroit go into bankruptcy which will permit smarter people to step in and clean it up.

]]> By: dean guadagni http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1757 dean guadagni Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:54:33 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1757 David, Thank you for your eloquent and searing commentary on what has long plagued American business culture: me-ism. I too remember the early 1970's when Detroit ignored quality, ignored their faithful consumers, and created products that had a deliberate planned obsolesence. The absolute arrogance and snobbery that led these men to simply believe all they had to do was show up for the money is similar to an aging beauty queen who just doesn't understand she no longer is the "Bell of the Ball." As for Detroit? Turn out the lights the party's over. . . David,

Thank you for your eloquent and searing commentary on what has long plagued American business culture: me-ism. I too remember the early 1970′s when Detroit ignored quality, ignored their faithful consumers, and created products that had a deliberate planned obsolesence.

The absolute arrogance and snobbery that led these men to simply believe all they had to do was show up for the money is similar to an aging beauty queen who just doesn’t understand she no longer is the “Bell of the Ball.”

As for Detroit? Turn out the lights the party’s over. . .

]]> By: David http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1756 David Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:41:11 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1756 @Barney, I have a quote in my new book, The Media Savvy Leader, from the head of a giant association who expresses amazement that corporate boards continue to hire such people who are so out of step with business today. The big 3 trio were not impressive when they came to DC, and it was as if they had been coached by attorneys than communications professionals. Fatal error. David @Barney,

I have a quote in my new book, The Media Savvy Leader, from the head of a giant association who expresses amazement that corporate boards continue to hire such people who are so out of step with business today.

The big 3 trio were not impressive when they came to DC, and it was as if they had been coached by attorneys than communications professionals. Fatal error.

David

]]> By: Barney http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1755 Barney Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:04:05 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1755 Surely part of the problem is that the US/UK model of being the CEO of a large corporation includes a lot of ego boosting and conspicuous consumption. How difficult is it for these Detroit characters to let go of what they clearly value more than the being willing to be part of the cost cutting that their business are surely having to go through. The exercise of power in this male style of domination is just not going to cut it any more. Leadership in the 21st century requires a completely different approach. Time for a change? Why should your government support these dinosaurs? Surely part of the problem is that the US/UK model of being the CEO of a large corporation includes a lot of ego boosting and conspicuous consumption. How difficult is it for these Detroit characters to let go of what they clearly value more than the being willing to be part of the cost cutting that their business are surely having to go through.

The exercise of power in this male style of domination is just not going to cut it any more. Leadership in the 21st century requires a completely different approach.

Time for a change? Why should your government support these dinosaurs?

]]> By: David Henderson http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 David Henderson Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:38:55 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1753 @Jamie Turner, Jamie, Many thanks for your comment. What I found utterly astonishing in that these guys apparently do not "get it." They do not recognize the signals they are sending, asking for a hand-out while living a lavish lifestyle. David @Jamie Turner, Jamie,

Many thanks for your comment. What I found utterly astonishing in that these guys apparently do not “get it.” They do not recognize the signals they are sending, asking for a hand-out while living a lavish lifestyle.

David

]]> By: Jamie Turner http://www.davidhenderson.com/2008/11/20/clueless-on-the-hill/comment-page-1/#comment-1752 Jamie Turner Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:35:19 +0000 http://www.davidhenderson.com/?p=1378#comment-1752 Great post, David. I submitted a comment earlier, but I believe my computer crashed before it was saved. Anyway, it's a great post. I made a similar post on my blog today -- even though my headline is pretty outrageous, it makes a good point about the effect labor unions have on the Big 3. (That said, flying to D.C. on the corporate jet was just dumb.) http://www.60SecondMarketer.com/blog Great post, David. I submitted a comment earlier, but I believe my computer crashed before it was saved. Anyway, it’s a great post. I made a similar post on my blog today — even though my headline is pretty outrageous, it makes a good point about the effect labor unions have on the Big 3. (That said, flying to D.C. on the corporate jet was just dumb.)

http://www.60SecondMarketer.com/blog

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