Independent E.G.

GM: An Alternative to Bankruptcy

Bad economy affects different industries like a bad storm. Its waves and tides cause damages in violent patterns and forms. This one is global. We are in it together. As a nation, united we stand. We need to be constructive and we need to take actions to solve problems. Action not only speak louder than words now, but also will buy us time and save lives. It's that critical. Now, anybody can give an example of an industry that won't be affected? Without necessary action, it's just a matter of time. The question is not whether we help or not, it's HOW can we help?
As the whole world is starting to see what a recession can do, each nation will take care of their own business first. Who else can we count on? Eventually, it's not the money. It's human capital! Human capital can multiply things. Use them well, they will save you. Otherwise, they can destroy you.
Auto industry is facing competitions from more countries than before. From high end, challenges come from Europeans, Japanese; and low end from Korea, China and India, the Big Three still position themselves on top strategically and market positioning-wise. That's not easy! To the rest of the world, they represent U.S. To American citizens, they deserve a lot more support than what we are giving them right now. All the other countries subsidize their auto in many ways to their advantages. Their citizen own their shares of stocks of their auto companies and Most Japanese drive Japanese car, most Korean drive Korean cars and same with Europeans...
If you are part of UAW, you are in a big family, you should start to own your own company, and act like a owner of your company. If every member, every employee starts to purchase your company stock, you don't need anybody to bail you out, your stock will soar!
The whole world is watching gas price, it's down. The pension is becoming a social issue, so is medical/insurance. The new president and new administration is going to handle that. What's left?
The structure. The structure need to adjust to the "New Production Infrastructure" which needs big organization to dominate their market and small (focused) operation to guarantee efficiency and performance.
So, the big three already have big organizations, they only need to release more power to their small units and provide support and R&D resources to these special units (divisions). You keep your company's big name, but each division is responsible for their performance. It's minor changes up to a big scope.
--Really Independent