Changes in the American Dream

2-18-09 Apex, NC... My Grandfather worked for General Motors from 1929 until 1965. The infant son of Russian/Polish immigrants, the migration to Detroit was certainly not easy. With only a grade school education at best, he was amazingly articulate. He had to go to work at age 13. One thing he was for sure... he was one of the first generation of hard working middle class in America. During the Depression when unemployment was around 35%, he drove to Flint from Detroit to keep his job. Even then, he saw periods of unemployment from 1932-1935... As a member of skilled trades, he was brilliant with tools and could fix anything. As a foreman later in his career, he went from hourly to salaried; raised five children and owned the shiniest Cadillac convertibles on the block. His work ethic was incredible. He had a passion to live his dream.

In essence it was General Motors that gave my Grandfather an open door. The automotive industry created the middle class in this country. He earned his job daily along with thousands of others, and he became and lived the American Dream. He started with nothing and by the end of his life in 1989, he had a huge corner house, a Buick in the garage, and a beautiful garden that filled a third of his well-maintained backyard. He loved his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, loved my Grandmother with all his heart and paid his taxes. Frugal to the end, he never bought more than he could pay for, never had a credit card, and as far as I know, lived within his means. The not "living within means" started this current situation.

If the Big Three, the suppliers, and the dealers go under, it is a huge bruise to these pioneers. Most of the middle class is taking the brunt of this economic challenge. The majority of the employees losing their jobs are, or were middle class.

These people are trying desperately to pay bills, and are assessing their fractured American Dream.

Manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers still exist. If they go bye-bye, I insist the fracture will be so big, it will affect everyone regardless of business or position.

As my Grandfather proved, employment is the way out of this challenge. Customers
are a way out of this as well... We have to SELL our way out of this.

We are watching change every day. It is stunning. Congress is running the country right now. We need to stand up to this. My Grandfather bled General Motors. Today, we need to be more like "Pa". Right now, General Motors is depending on Washington D.C. So is Chrysler. I do not like the smell of that...

I want the American Dream back.

It is not inside the Beltline... But if we look hard enough, we find it in our own hands!

This column is dedicated to Walter Genslak, the man with a dream and a drive for success. He found it in the car business and never looked back...

Happy selling!

IT'S DONE

2-17-09 Apex, NC... With the above words stated loudly and firmly at 3:23 EST, the President signed the Stimulus into law. Now, "it's done"...could be like it's cooked! Over time we will see if it is a turkey or not. Now in all fairness, time will tell. I am a sales trainer and recruiter. I am a vendor. I am a small business owner. So far no one has told me I am a beneficiary of anything in this bill. Not too many of us in the car business or in any business really can use the extra $600 a month for food stamps... In complete honesty, I want to read this 1000+ page document or at least the 100 page executive summary. All I know is this; I am not real busy training and recruiting salespeople because the stores are not real busy. Let's fix consumer confidence. Bankrupting Detroit is not the answer. Based on the stock market so far today, the stimulus package is not jump starting anything either.

Chrysler just announced more layoffs as I write this... I still believe the economy is just fine when you have a customer in front of you... We know what to do. Get us customers Mr. President.

Happy selling!

911 Hello Operator!!

2-16-09 Apex, NC... It is EMERGENCY TIME... The quake you are feeling is at least a 3.0 on the Richter Scale. The rumbling is from Walter Chrysler, Ransom Olds, Henry Leland, Alfred P. Sloan, and others TURNING OVER in their graves.

President Obama decided that a committee was better than a Czar, so reporting for duty is the Treasury Secretary Tim Geither and Larry Summers, Clinton's former Treasury Secretary. Great, two outstanding car guys... I mean czar guys. Since yesterday, I have more automotive experience than those two; and at least one of them can't count and thinks the IRS stands for incredibly ridiculous stats...

Why not put a CAR GUY in charge of the Big Two assessment? How about Lee Iacocca? How about Gary Convis, retired Toyota Exec? This is like a plumber giving me a colonoscopy. This is a procedure that simply needs experts... This is serious stuff.

If GM goes bankrupt, virtually every single point dealer is history; retirees suffer. Suppliers add to the debt they already have, and US vendors are toast...

With the stimulus package absolutely flying into law without us taxpayers seeing it, just what is our business in for?

We need to e-mail the President immediately. Things are just happening too fast. That is when mistakes happen...

In the words of Alfred P.Sloan... "If we are all in agreement on the decision - then I propose we postpone further discussion of this matter until our next meeting to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about."

I hope the vitality plan for GM and Chrysler is well thought out. Not like the stimulus package...

Happy selling!

Idle Thoughts!

2-13, 2009 Apex, NC... Read the following and you too will think you are David Letterman and there is a very special guest sitting across from you...yep, something is not right here.

Because of the current state economic situation, the UNC System's Board of Governors will likely INCREASE tuition and fees by a WHOPPING 3.9%

Although oil costs about the same as a nice pen right now, gas keeps going up and is again touching two dollars; the reason for the rise? Maintenance...

Another good candidate in the top 36 goes bye-bye. I am talking about the new administration NOT American Idol...

Restaurants in town want full tables on Valentine's Day but are not allowing the use of coupons we find in the paper for half off, etc...I like that strategy, full prices will fill the seats for sure.

GM is offering retirement incentives for ANOTHER 22,000 employees; is anyone left to turn the heat down and turn the lights off?

People need jobs, but how many know how to use a shovel?

Finally, with the $798B package, housing and car buyers will be getting ONLY modest breaks... For example, many states tax the difference between a new car and a trade. Even on a good day that typically saves a car buyer WELL under a thousand dollars...

Somebody help me please...

Happy selling!

Constellation within the Stimulation of the ObamaNation

2-11-09 Apex,NC... Well the PACKAGE will pass. It is on its way. It is considered by many the guiding light and I hope so, because in my constellation, within my orbit, things are moving very slowly. We depend on the car business for so much. One of seven of us works directly or indirectly in the car business. Used cars are selling okay. Service is holding its own. But for the economy to turnaround like so many of us want, the automotive industry has to get healthy again. The people out of work seem to increase every day and we need to stop the bleeding right now. The President is getting what he wants. And I hope he is right. I will back him right or wrong but I will hold him accountable on a daily basis to get the car business back to where it has to be. Confident consumers buy vehicles. We need to get that back! My business purpose is job creation, job enabling, and a job sustaining. But I am a one man band. Hopefully the recruiting agents, like myself, get the stimulus to help all of those seeking employment, the training and retraining necessary to succeed in new careers. Because succeeding quickly is critical.

I hope the PACKAGE drives the money into opportunity. Now it is up to the President to facilitate this for everyone.

Happy selling!

This Creeps Me Out (of MONEY)

2-10-09 Apex NC... It is creeping again. I pass signs all the time. It is incredibly on the move again... sure it sits awhile, and then it moves again thinking no one notices. It is very sneaky too. It fakes a gentle fall and then rises above the stagnant mark it has been sitting at for days. Yep, you guessed it.... Gas prices are on the move again, regardless of the national climate.

It was wonderful at 1.59 and then the creep began AGAIN. It went up to 1.70 for no reason, sat at 1.78 forever, then 1.81 forever, then 1.89, now it is in the 1.90's. If Exxon and its lot want to see total poor house anarchy, it is going to happen at the 2.50 mark. People cannot afford it. One very cool stimulus package is LOW gas prices, a drop in price is worth millions in our collective pocket books. Some of us are actually using cash when we fill up now. At above 2.75 we simply charge it, who has an extra $100 to fill the SUV when prices go back and sit at 3.99 for a month or two?

People are not paying some of their normal bills on time right now, and they are worried about every nickel, very worried. Long term budgeting is month-to-month now. We tolerated 3 and 4 dollar gas once. We cannot do it again. NO ONE has the money. I do not see it growing on any trees in my yard. And those of us still working cannot skateboard, jog, or bike to work.

Greed and arrogance are really being studied now. These "creepy" ingredients are the main cause of the recession we are in. Oil profits are still setting records at under 2 a gallon. They do not need anymore profit. It seems if mother nature does not drive prices up, someone sneezing in Siberia does.

We cannot have gas prices go much higher. Our plastic is not thick as our heads anymore. We will not tolerate increases and grumble quietly under our breath any longer. We will be really whizzed. Leave prices alone so we can budget what little money we have left. I suggest calling your representatives, senators, mayors, and town managers... It simply cannot happen again. Anyone who has forgotten that $20 got you five gallons, is part of the creep...

I still think revolution will take place and we will throw everyone out of office and start over. Why not? It has to be cheaper to toss Congress, the lobbyists and the Prez out, than it was to fill our tanks at June 2008 levels.

WE HAVE HAD IT so send the message! Remember who fills Congressional gas tanks.

If fuel stays economical, maybe people will head back to the dealerships and buy a vehicle. That will help as well.



Happy(Under Two Bucks Please)Selling!

Coldplay is Always on Stage

2-9-09 Apex NC... Coldplay won the song of the year at the Grammy awards last night for VIVA LA VIDA. The band always carries itself well and is noted for its enthusiasm on stage as well as its talent. In fact, enthusiasm is key to their success. Enthusiasm, coupled with a smile and a great attitude gets you whatever you reach for. Think of enthusiasm from the following list...

E...Energy in great amounts is the key to all possibilities.
N...Need is central to sales success. Establish it.
T...Trust must be gained first before partnering begins.
H...Honesty and sincerity must go hand-in-hand.
U...Understanding is critical; always be listening.
S...Speciality and uniqueness always bring value.
I...Intelligence drives every single business moment.
A...Ability must be established as soon as possible.
S...Service is the main driver of success.
M...Motivation will always grow and avenue your passion.

Enthusiasm always covers for imperfection. It is okay to be flawed so minimize it with plenty of enthusiasm!

Happy selling!