Re: Automotive News

Posted by Pack120c On 2009/9/25 11:32:16

Since this is a very complex issue, no single reason can be pointed to as the "smoking gun". Much of what has been said here is valid but I have to agree with Dave (O-D) most. I have spent almost 30 years in the chemical industry with the last 23 being in the sales and marketing side. There are very few (if any)management or executive level peolple left that have an enthusiasm or passion for the business. By the business I mean the product, the application, the customer, business relationships, etc. It's all about close the quarter. Finance runs everything and they wouldn't know a customer if one sat on their face. You could be selling cars, chemicals or widgets. It doesn't matter to them as long as you can monetize it.

Sorry for the brief rant but I see this in the company I work for as well as my customers. The last of the product/customer relationship focused people retired about 10 years ago. I believe this is why American industry in general has lost it's competitveness. And now it has spread to the service sector (banking) with disatorous results. "Make the money now and let someone else clean up the mess (or bail it out) when the music stops".