I think that the US car companies need executive
personalities like Steve Jobs, James Dyson or Richard
Branson who know
how to take calculated risks and are aware of their
customers needs and opportunities presented by global
change.
Most of the big three excutives today are people who
cannot innovate but the pace of global change has
reached the point that these types of people
need to be supplemented with a different type of
personality if those companies are to survive.
Inovation requires diversity. Detroit is a city of
African Americans yet this group finds it difficult to
get jobs designing cars despite many smart and
talented individuals training. Ralph Giles, an African
American was behind the design of the successful
Magnum and 300 Chrysler models. In Michigan companies
are vocal about their diversity policies but often do
not implement a high level of diversity. A walk
through the large furniture factories on the West of
the State reveals that there are almost no African
Americans working there. That area of the state is
mainly of Dutch Origin. The town where Herman Miller
is located is about 75% Dutch Origin. I believe that
Michigan companies need to implement active hiring
practices that increase diversity if they are to
maintain the necessary level of innovation to
survive.In Silicon Valley 30% of the start-ups have
been by business people of Indian origin.
Toyota are innovating in ways beyond the styling of
their vehicles. They are investing fot the long term.
Thinking long term could be considered an innovative
approach in the US car industry.
Rob Curedale
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