1953 Chevrolet Corvette: GM not only built a proper two-seat sports car to take on popular imports from Jaguar, Austin-Healey, MG and others, but it also used fiberglass for the first time on one of its production cars.



My choice is totally gratuitous. This would definitely be my favorite. If only it came in purple. Again, I don't know how to drive, but of all of GM's classic cars, this would be my dream car. Its like you can fly away.

Blogging from my phone

I am halfway there. Something isn't working. I would spend more time figuring it out, but I am way too tired. More to come tomorrow.

GM pumps millions into its idea for plug-in cars

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_590178.html
I don't think GM has a choice. To stay amongst the top, you have to be innovative or make desperate moves. Anyone who is anyone in the motor vehicle business is trying to find an alternative, simply because there is no choice. When the economy is going in the direction its going in, cars will become a luxury because people won't be able to afford the gas prices. Aside from the strain on the relationships the US has with the world, gas will become more of a luxury.

Expectation: To make money selling vehicles.
Deviation: The economy is spiraling downward and gas is becoming a luxury.
Result: Create alternative plug-in vehicles to serve the majority and get people to buy cars again.

Who the hell is Henry Paulson?

Henry Paulson graduated from Harvard Business School. In 1974, he began work with Goldman Sachs, one of the richest banks in the world. He was a partner, co-head of investment banking, chief operating officer then chief executive officer. On June 19, 2006, Henry M. Paulson became the 74^th Secretary of Treasury. He is now being considered as the man who will organize the $700 million bailout.

Out with the old; in with the new.

Every time you get something new, you get rid of something old. & here it is GM is closing their plant in Doraville, GA. The facility is 60 years old and 1200 workers will be out of a job. Very interesting.

General Motors' Rick Wagoner proclaims, 'GM is here to stay,' as new Flint Volt plant is announced

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/09/general_motors_rick_wagoner_pr.html

I really can't understand this. They think we the people are stupid. This people are scared for their lives. I'm sure they didn't open this with a full cash payment. Yes, they are providing jobs in Flint, MI but they are closing plants around the world. I guess they have to show their American loyalty.

GM Downgrade

Fitch Ratings said Monday downgraded General Motors Corp.'s General Motors Corporation issuer default rating to CCC from B- because of the auto maker's diminishing liquidity and lack of access to capital. The outlook is negative. "External sources of capital for GM remain limited, indicating that liquidity drains will accelerate through year-end 2008," Fitch said in a statement.


Tonight President Bush spoke to us about the $700 Billion Bailout. I'm glad I watched because now I fully understand what has happened. For the first time I learned something from him. Basically the viscous cycle of money has come to a screeching halt.


So many people are doing everything on credit and the banks can't loan what they don't have, more money. Many people have purchased homes and abused the power of the mortgage and refinancing system that they have put themselves in a huge debts. They thought that they could sell their property at a larger value than when purchased, but the real estate market became over saturated with people in the same situation. When they could not pay, the banks that loaned the money took the property to sell, but of coarse they could not either because the real estate market is over saturated. So now the banks can't get their money back.



According to, Richard Kennedy of Cushman Wakefield "Global Real Estate Solutions" and a member of the Board of Directors at my job, "No one could have predicted this." Somehow I just don't believe that. Bottom line is that we all know if we don't pay our bills with real money we will be in trouble. This is classic borrow from Peter to pay Paul. It never works. Someone has to pay and that someone is us. No one is coming up with a solution for this poor planning of our financial state, so what now.

World Business Forum 2008 & GM

Today was my first experience at the 2008 World Business Forum. I learned so much today, that I can't put it all in today's blog, but I will on Saturday. In reference to GM:

GM has tapped into the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and is making very serious growth. A gentleman name Constantine spoke today about Russia becoming a true multinational. I can't remember the name of the company right now, but they have a partnership with General Motors. GM is among the top 3 foreign brands in Russia with close to 100% annual growth rates.

The 4 P's of marketing

In case you missed it ... last week General Motors Vice President Bob Lutz talked to Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert about the Chevy Volt, an electric car powered by a lithium ion battery that can take it 40 miles without a drop of gas.

As viewers of "The Colbert Report" already know, the satirical host has perfected the art of the comic grilling.

And when you're VP of a company that is pinning its hopes on an electric car and you don't even believe in global warming, you should expect a little heat.

Maybe that explains Lutz' odd answer to one of Colbert's last and least serious questions: Can driving a Volt get me laid?

"I think so," said Lutz. "You're going to get a lot of very nice, no-makeup environmental women."

Nothing says "we love our customers!" like denying their cause and stereotyping their women. A reader over at EcoGeek said it best:

... From his comments one can clearly deduce that the leadership at GM doesn't take the people who make up that segment seriously. And that's why, even though they may be first to market with a product, it will be a product that doesn't understand its buyer.

We've got a lot of "environmental" women here in Seattle, a city that consistently ranks among the most green and sustainable cities in the country. And I'm sure some of them shave their legs (to clarify for commenters, Colbert submitted this trait after Lutz's "no makeup" quip). Was Lutz being serious, girls, or just kidding around? Watch the clip and decide for yourself.

The 4 P's of marketing are: Product, Price, Place & Promotion. Mr. Lutz gets a thumbs down in the 4 P's especially as the VP of General Motors. I understand its Comedy Central, but he could of still appealed to the audience without offending some of them. You learn that in Marketing 100. I think he could have handled it better.

Sign of the Times

GM runs out of gas on 100th anniversary

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER: As manufacturing declines, the US’ most potent symbol of of American industry is running out of steam and suffers from a lack of diversity
The slogan for Chevrolet, General Motors’ flagship brand of cars, once boasted it was “The Heartbeat of America.”

For better or worst, as the US auto giant celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, the company’s health has never seemed more tied to the country’s economic health.

At a time when the US economy is spluttering, the country’s most venerable car brand seems to be running out of gas.

“General Motors is closely related to the old economy, the manufacturing economy that America was largely based for the good part of the last century,” said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of automotive Web site Edmunds.com.

As manufacturing declines in the new century, so has GM, that potent symbol of US industry.

Its disturbing to see the results of the choices of those who chose to exact revenge. Its not always an eye for eye and because many people acted on emotion when voting, we are in this mess. Seeing a company like GM or the economy in such a horrible state is frightening. Its like seeing your parent through a new set of eyes. When you realize they are not invincible. They are human and they hurt and lie too. Unemployment is at an all time high and the prices for food are out of control. It will be years before we recover. "But out of every bad comes one better."...my mom.

Looking to the Future

General Motors unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on Tuesday, allowing outsiders their first full look at the car GM says will go on sale in 2010.

"The Volt symbolizes GM's commitment to the future," said Rick Wagoner, the company's chairman and CEO.

The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to run for up to about 40 miles without using gasoline.

I don't know the gas from the break, but my dream car has always been the Land Rover. Hopefully, by the time I learn how to drive and get the car, there will be a hybrid created.

Even in the most populated areas GM feels the loss

GM: China not so great anymore

Posted Sep 17th 2008 10:00AM by Douglas McIntyre
Filed under: General Motors (GM), China

General Motors (NYSE: GM) was counting on its rapidly growing sales in China to offset its troubles in the U.S. China has become one of the world's largest car markets and most estimates say it will move into first place within four or five years.

To the surprise of many, vehicle sales in China actually dropped in August compared with the same month a year ago.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the head of GM's operations in Asia "cut his prediction for 2008 growth in China's auto market, the world's second-largest after the U.S., to between 11% and 12%, down from the 12% to 15% growth he predicted in March." GM added that it expects the car market in China to grow at a double-digit rate for the next five years.

The future sounds bright for GM, but the present is not so pretty. Even in the most populated country, GM is feeling the loss vehicle sales dropping. Because the GM has been a global company for several decades, I believe they will come out of this is with flying colors. They should have superior cultural intelligence at this point and the numbers will prove it!!!

Looks for Buzz
With Its Electric Volt

Auto Maker Hopes
High-Mileage Car
Will Repair Image

By JOHN D. STOLL
September 15, 2008; Page B1

Detroit -- General Motors Corp. on Tuesday plans to officially unveil its most important model in decades -- and possibly the key to its survival.

General Motors

A GM engineer with the Chevy Volt, due to hit the market by late 2010

The Chevrolet Volt is a battery-powered compact car scheduled to hit the market by the end of 2010. It is designed to give GM the kind of highly fuel-efficient vehicle it needs to compete in an era of near $4-a-gallon gasoline.

But the car also has another, more-strategic purpose: to change minds.

GM is hoping the Volt will be such a technological leap forward that the many consumers who have turned their backs on Detroit will give the company and its cars a fresh look.

The auto maker also hopes the Volt will become its signature product, supplanting the big sport-utility vehicles like the Hummer and Chevrolet Suburban that now define its image.

On Tuesday, as part of its 100th anniversary celebration, GM will show off the version of the Volt it plans to put into production. And it looks like the increasing buzz about the car already is having an impact.

Some 40,800 people have put their names on an unofficial waiting list for the car, many of them former devotees of GM rivals like Toyota Motor Corp. or environmentalists, once among GM's toughest critics. The waiting list is compiled by gm-volt.com, a Web site created by a New York neurologist named Lyle Dennis.

It isn't clear how accurate an indicator the waiting list might be of eventual demand for the Volt. While GM watches the list closely, it hasn't said it will honor it. Some Chevrolet dealers, meanwhile, are keeping waiting lists of their own.

Corbis

The GM EV-1

Among those eager for the chance to buy a Volt is George Kalkas, a 61-year-old business owner who lives in suburban Chicago and owns two Toyotas -- a Camry and a Prius hybrid. "There is no doubt I'm going to get a Volt," says Mr. Kalkas, an enthusiast for fuel-saving technologies. "I wake up in the morning thinking about it."

While the rising enthusiasm for the Volt offers GM an opportunity, it also poses some big risks. The biggest is that it isn't yet certain that the car will arrive in dealer showrooms on time, or even work as advertised.

It is also unclear how well the Volt's lithium-ion batteries will stand up to years of use. Lithium-ion cells can get very hot. Indeed, certain laptop computers were recalled in recent years after their lithium-ion batteries caught fire.

GM says fire isn't a likely risk for the car batteries it is developing, thanks to the chemical formula it will use and a sophisticated cooling system.

If the Volt fails to work as GM has promised or its launch runs into significant delays, the company could lose credibility with some of its newly won fans, says Elizabeth Lowery, GM's vice president for environmental and energy issues.

"We have to deliver," she adds. The vehicle is "very important to our entire strategy."

But Ms. Lowery, like other GM executives, says the Volt's development is on track.

GM knows the dangers of disappointing avid fans. In the 1990s, it was developing a battery-powered car, the EV-1, which garnered a devoted following. When the company pulled the plug on the car early this decade, its fans were outraged. A documentary film, "Who Killed the Electric Car?," cast GM in an unfavorable light.

Like the EV-1, the Volt has attracted many supporters. Both presidential candidates have either referred to the car or used it as a prop on the campaign trail. Chris Paine, the director of "Who Killed the Electric Car?," who has been a highly touted guest at various GM events, has said the Volt could redeem GM's credentials as a technology leader.

The Volt is supposed to be able to travel 40 miles on electric power alone if its 400-pound battery pack is fully charged. After that, a four-cylinder gasoline engine generates electricity to power the car and recharge the battery.

GM estimates that, on certain trips, some drivers may be able to go 100 miles or more per gallon of gasoline. The vehicle is designed to be recharged at home by plugging it into a power outlet.

Last month, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said the Volt will likely cost in the mid- to high $30,000 range, roughly double the cost of conventional compact cars. Tax credits for high-mileage vehicles could lower the cost to consumers.

The notion of a hefty premium isn't scaring away potential customers like Mark Bartosik. A 39-year-old software engineer from Bay Shore, N.Y., he saw the general manager of GM's Chevrolet division, Ed Peper, at an event hosted by gm-volt.com, and tried to hand him a check for $10,000 as a deposit on a Volt. Mr. Peper declined the check.

Mr. Bartosik says his chief interest is reducing energy consumption. His home is outfitted with $100,000 in solar panels that generate electricity.

Before hearing about the Volt, Mr. Bartosik says he thought of GM as the company that put its heart into the Hummer and wasn't very interested in improving fuel economy. Now, he says, "I want to buy a vehicle from them."

GM is working hard to deliver the Volt on schedule. It is planning to spend between $400 million and $500 million in the next few years on the engineering and remaining development work, according to people familiar with its budget.

Along with its domestic rivals and U.S. suppliers, GM also is lobbying Congress to approve low-cost loans to the industry. The company says it would use such a loan to fund the retooling of a Hamtramck, Mich., assembly plant to give it capacity to build 60,000 Volts annually. Some of its suppliers are already making plans to furnish parts for more than 100,000 annually.

The company also is scrambling to develop long-lasting batteries. At GM's development center in Warren, Mich., engineers have set up test benches with battery packs charging and discharging continuously to see if they can last 10 years or 150,000 miles. Those tests won't be complete, however, until March 2010, just seven months before the Volt is supposed to be ready.

GM is the biggest in vehicle business and have demonstrated leader once again with this electric vehicle. As the article mentioned, they pulled the plug on this project in the 1990's. They were ahead of the game. During class we discussed how the possible pull of projects such as this were pulled because of big oil companies controlling the industry. Here we are almost 20 years later and they are finally doing the right thing. It cost less and it is saving the earth. There will be a shift in control when the farm industry becomes the leader in the business. This should be an interesting journey.

How Does GM Relate to Ch. 4: International Management and Cross-Cultural Competence?

Posted: 11:56am 9/13/08
Edited: 12:25pm 9/13/08

In summary number 1 of Chapter 4 it reads as follows:
The study of international management is more important than ever as the huge global economy continues grow. Doing business internally typically involves much more than importing an/or exporting goods. The six stages of the internationalization process are licensing, exporting, local warehousing and selling, local assembly and packaging, joint ventures, and direct foreign investments. There are three main guidelines for success in international joint ventures: (a) Be patient while building trust with a carefully selected partner; (b) learn as much as fast as possible without giving away key secrets; and (c) establish clear ground rules for rights and responsibilities. Global companies are a present-day reality, whereas transnational companies are a futuristic vision. A global company does business simultaneously in many countries but pursues global strategies administered from a strong home-country headquarters. In contrast, a transnational company is envisioned as a decentralized global network of productive units with no distinct national identity. There is growing concern about the economic and political power that such stateless enterprises may acquire as they eclipse the power and scope of their host nations.
From Wikepedia:
General Motors entered the European market only three years after the company's foundation in 1908. This involved the construction of Chevrolet cars in Denmark in 1923 and Belgium in 1925. This involvement was greatly expanded by the acquisitions of Vauxhall in 1925 and Opel in Germany in 1929. In 1986 GM bought Lotus group in England and 7 years later on August 27, 1993, GM sold the company, for £30 million to owners of Bugatti. GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Saab of Sweden in 1989, taking full ownership in 2000. General Motors also developed a partnership with and acquired a stake in Fiat in 2000. GM divested its minority equity interests and dissolved the partnership in 2005, following a legal fight regarding the conditions of a put option afforded Fiat.

General Motors is a global company that does business simultaneously in many countries but pursues global strategies administered from a strong home-country head-quarters in Detroit, Michigan. They started in the United States and licensing, exporting, local warehousing and selling, local assembly and packaging, joint ventures, and direct foreign investments in North America, South America, Europe Africa, Asia and Australia/Oceania.

From GM's history, I can understand why there would be concern about the economic and political power that such a stateless enterprise has acquired as they eclipse the power and scope of the United States. General Motors has been around for 100 years come September 16, and have been international 97 of those years. They are definitely powerful and represent the United States and the "American Dream" no matter what they may try to represent in other countries. The world will either love it or hate it, just as they do the US.

At this point in my life

I could not be more excited at what my future looks like. BRIGHT, SHINY AND NEW. I have completed a year of school and I have one more to go. I have finally made good choices and I am blessed to be on this path to success. It just so happens that now, during this term of B's (Business Operations, Business Communication, Business Organization and Management and Biology) I am Blessed to be going to the World Business Forum. The ticket alone cost $2,290

I thought I would see Tony Robbins, but such is not the case. I will see the following people discuss topics I am learning about in my Business 200 and Business Communications classes.

GLOBALIZATION
1. Tony Blair who will discuss "Building lasting peace and strengthening democracies in a turbulent world."
2. Dialogue: U.S. & The World Colin Powell & Madeleine Albright
3. Muhammad Yunus & Global Development "On the world's income distribution, business, and peace: We create what we want"
4. Emerging Multinationals: A new breed of multinationals is emerging. Directly from the fast-expanding boom economies of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) where in-depth analysis and discussion with some of their leaders and why the BRIC phenomenon is expeted to represent 44% of the global GDP (Gross Domestic Produc: one of the measures of national income and output for a given country's economy) by 2050.

Chapter 2 discussed The Evolution of Management Thought.
I get to hear the modern evolution of management thought through
1. Jim Collins, (who is mentioned in our text book) went to Stanford's Graduate School of Business, Fortune Magazine has described him as "one of the most influential management thinkers alive" and he will discuss Why some companies and executives excel and others don't
2. Jack Welch, (who is mentioned in our text book) author of JACK: Straight from the Gut, which provides an intimate glimpse into his life and management concept. Fortune Magazine called him the manager of the century. He will discuss building a powerful team.
3. Marcus Buckingham who wrote First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Best Managers Do Differently and Now, Discover Your Strengths. One of the topics I look forward to hearing from him is "The right fit: Selecting staff for talent, not just knowledge and skills.

And so much more on leadership, organizational behavior. Yes, this whole thing is a breeding ground for "management by best seller," but I am not running a business, I am learning the Basis. Through being in school right now and going to this conference and sprinkle in my experience; I will be a winning ticket for a company if not my own! Its an exciting time! My future is BRIGHT, SHINY & NEW!!!
Check it out: http://us.hsmglobal.com/contenidos/uswbfhome.html

General Motors plans landfill-free factories

General Motors plans landfill-free factories
by David Masters
September 10, 2008
Car maker General Motors (GM) plans to make half of its 181 factories around the world ‘landfill-free’ within the next two years, helping to save the company money and improve its green image.
The US-based automobile giant says 43 of its plants are already landfill-free, meaning that no waste from the manufacturing process ends up in landfill.
Around 40 more GM plants are expected to reduce landfill waste to little or nothing by the end of 2010.
GM is cutting back on waste by reusing or recycling over 95% of materials used in the manufacturing process.
This year the company is expected to save 3 million tons of waste from entering landfill, preventing 3.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Scrap metals are sold, boxes for parts are now reusable instead of being made from throw-away cardboard, and used work gloves are recycled.
The company now makes $1 billion per year selling recycled scrap metal. An extra $16 million per year is expected to be generated from selling recycled wood, cardboard, plastic and oil.
Save Now
Any waste that cannot be recycled or reused will be incinerated to create energy.
GM, the biggest auto maker in the world, is not the first car manufacturer in America to go landfill free.
In 2004, Suburu announced that its Indiana assembly plant was the first in the US to go landfill free. Nothing from the plant’s manufacturing process ends up in landfill.
Since then, fourteen of Toyota’s eighteen North America factories have been converted to 98% landfill free.
Any waste that cannot be recycled or reused will be incinerated to create energy.
GM, the biggest auto maker in the world, is not the first car manufacturer in America to go landfill free.
In 2004, Suburu announced that its Indiana assembly plant was the first in the US to go landfill free. Nothing from the plant’s manufacturing process ends up in landfill.
Since then, fourteen of Toyota’s eighteen North America factories have been converted to 98% landfill free.

It seems that General Motors is showing and leading the industry in what should be the new standard for the future of the planet. It is great to see a big company step up to the plate.

How Much Do I Know About Chapter 1?

1. What is management?
   Management is carrying out tasks with and through others.
   Management: is the process of working with and through others to achieve organizational objectives in a changing environment.
2. What is effectiveness?
   Effectiveness is accomplishing something thoroughly
   Effectiveness: a central element in the process of management that entails achieving a stated organizational objective
3. What is efficiency?
   No answer
   Efficiency: a central element in the process of management that balances the amount of resources used to achieve an objective against what was actually accomplished
4. What is offshoring?
   Offshoring is doing parts of your business outside of the country you are based.
   Offshoring: controversial practice of sending jobs to low-wage countries
5. What is the Internet?
   A matrix of information available to anyone using a computer with an internet service provider
   Internet: global network of servers and personal and organizational computers
6. What is EBusiness?
   EBusiness is a business conducted strictly on the internet.
   EBusiness: a business using the Internet for greater efficiency in every aspect of its operations
7. What are managerial functions?
   Managerial functions are any tasks that would fulfill a company’s goals.
   Managerial functions: general administrative duties that need to be carried out in virtually all productive organizations to achieve desired outcomes
8. What are managerial skills?
   Managerial skills are the ability to carry out a company’s tasks and goals effectively and efficiently.
   Managerial skills: specific observable behaviors that effective managers exhibit
9. What is small business?
   A business that has less than 100 employees
   An independently owned and managed profit-seeking enterprise with fewer than 100 employees
10. What is entrepreneurship?
    To start a business on your own
    Process of pursuing opportunities without regard to resources currently under one’s control