Join the Ranks of the Aftermarket Prepared, Honored, Educated and Admired
What is it about the aftermarket that makes it so susceptible to change? There are many answers to this question, but there is only one way to deal effectively with these inevitable changes — preparation. Preparation is gained through education, which leads to informed and confident decision-making within your organization. This education is offered through Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket. Becoming a graduate with a AAP/MAAP designation, you can become better prepared to meet the fast-paced challenges and changes in today’s and tomorrow’s aftermarket.
Freeman Group Announces Strategy Paper, “Lift the Branding Burden from Your Sales Organization”
Freeman Group, Inc., a business-to-business marketing communications firm specializing in the development of strategic sales support tools, announced the release of a strategy paper entitled, “Lift the Branding Burden from Your Sales Organization.” This paper identifies multiple limitations the concept of branding has forced into the business-to-business selling process. Eight specific methods are also presented for moving a sales organization beyond these branding burdens.
Auto Industry Conference to Help Participants Navigate the Future of the Industry
A perfect storm is brewing for global automakers and suppliers, but those who lead, manage and influence the industry have the knowledge and capabilities for navigating the troubled waters ahead. They’ll share their insights in early August in the Traverse City, Mich. area at the Management Briefing Seminars — the automotive industry’s premier conference event.
Challenges to China’s Auto Industry
China’s automotive industry will face four challenges in the coming few years, said Fu Yuwu, vice-chairman and secretary general of the China Society of Automotive Engineering.
California Goes After Auto Emissions
California issued proposed regulations this week that would force automakers to reduce tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases, which are tied to global warming, by 30 percent in the next decade. If adopted later this year after a review process, the regulations would be the nation’s first limits on auto emissions of gases tied to global warming. And they could pave the way for other states to follow. At least four Northeastern states are watching to see what California does.
Leadership for Change — Aligning Resources and Setting Expectations
In this series on change leadership, we’ve talked so far about creating a vision, identifying key initiatives, and limiting active initiatives to a manageable number. Another critical task for leadership is to make sure that functional departments are aligned with active initiatives.
Herman Trend Alert: Exploratory Job Seeking
Some workers are engaging in more exploratory job seeking. We’re hearing from employers that the rate of flow of resumes and query letters and calls has increased, a sign of restlessness and hopefulness on the part of unhappy workers. Sensing the improving economy and new job opportunities that will be opening, the “A players” are testing the waters, probing for possibilities.
North American Auto R&D Center to Set Up in China
North American market leader in automotive quality inspection, the PSA Group of Companies, has signed an agreement with two local firms to set up a research center in this southern boomtown. The Canadian firm’s major business in China is currently in sourcing auto parts for its North American and Japanese clients, including General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Yazaki.
100th Congressman Sponsors Right to Repair Act Legislation
Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., last week became the 100th member of Congress to sign on as a sponsor of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2735).
Attention Manufacturer’s Reps — List Your Company in aftermarketNews.com’s Free Online Rep Directory
As an added service for our subscribers, aftermarketNews.com is creating a free online directory of Manufacturer’s Reps, representing manufacturers throughout North America. The directory, which is expected to be complete in late summer, will be housed on the www.aftermarketNews.com home page. If you would like to be included in this directory (free of charge), please send us your information.
China Revamps Rules
China, the world’s third-largest vehicle market, has unveiled a new policy that prods carmakers to merge into fewer, bigger groups and protects China FAW Group Corp . and other large producers. The policy, which took effect Tuesday, requires companies to provide from their own funds at least 40 percent of the 2 billion yuan ($241 million) of investment needed before they are allowed to make cars, according to a copy of the policy placed on the Web site of China’s State Development and Reform Commission. The new rules will also grant speedier approval for expansion to automakers with at least 15-percent market share.
Leadership for Change — Selecting Your Initiatives
Last time we kicked off a series of articles on the subject of leadership for change. We identified critical responsibilities for change leadership, and talked about creating a vision. This week we’ll talk about how to convert that vision into action-through selecting and launching the right initiatives.