IMPERIAL BLUE update...

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Kscarguy

Father - Ok I'll say this to your bulletin response. I know that the guys in the dealership knew it before the customers did. Mostly because of three things. 1) Mail- as you stated 2) Zero Internet forums 3) The fact that the service and sales managers were always checking in with each other sharing field issues and feedback from GM. Today it's different with the various communication mediums. So If you felt hit below the belt it was not my intent.

I stated in a previous post that I get a business exists to make money and shouldn't have to apologize for that..I believe this. So hard decisions sometimes have to be made. I admit I was hurt by the announcement. But understanding business, I was not, nor am I now angry with the team. I was and am still disappointed with the communication. Big difference between angry and disappointed! You see I know (based on your comments) before the decision to pull IBM or any other option is made. Data is queried, studied, costed and then a decision is made. Keeping in mind profitability. I can appreciate you posting info at the wee hours because your intentions are good. But why not include the extended team..(dealers) They should have had that info the same time it was posted here imho.

Why??? Because this car, the ZL1 IS special. Up to now It was a once in a lifetime car(1969). It's on allocation, I'm getting the only one the dealer is going to get. How many IBM ZL1 orders were showing in the data..40..a 100?? It had to be a small percent.

It would have meant the world to get this news through the dealers to those of us effected. A simple; Hey, we value you as a customer. We recognize that this is not ideal, but If you'll choose another color we'll make it worth the change. It could have been something as small as a letter or as big a poster signed by the team for those effected. The cost..minimal...The payback..huge! But I found out before my dealer did, before the rest of the Chevrolet team did. So, while I totally understand the business case, I know that the disappointment could have been avoided.

How?

1) Don't allow the order work bench to configure a car and provide an order number before the final production designs/options are finalized. (Yes I took the risk, I accept the responsibility for that.)

2) In this magical day of Wal-Mart logistics and information flow. There is no excuse for GM, the dealers and on-line sale reps to have the information the same time the special interest forums do.

3) If you can't successfully perform 1 & 2. Have a plan and a process for maintaining the paramount relationship with the customer when changes are made. They are special whether they are buying an entry level product or one at the high end.

If you are still listening. I made the above statements not to be critical, pick a fight, or vent Father. But instead to improve the process. Because once any business loses the relationship with a customer well you know...As for me I'll wait to mod my order #QBDDDN once the order work bench is updated. This time with prices and options finalized. If changes happen after that....don't get me started

Oh if it were only that easy.

I won't get into the nitty-gritty - but believe me, we're taking painstaking actions to communicate with the dealers AND the consumers (that's why I'm on here at 12:18am even when I have to be up at 4:30.

I don't mean to flame you - but please understand that business moves at the speed of light - and we are operating with less than 1/10th of the people we had 20 years ago.......we are trying our best to communicate with everyone. It IS my fault that this was put out there -- because I felt that the customer needed to know this - the dealers have also been advised.

And - as I said - no matter HOW we tell you or WHEN we tell you - if you are an IBM lover- you are not going to be happy. (re-read my post about Ash Gold and Tripoli turquoise...)

One poster on another thread on another site went off on me.....that we'd had the nerve to drop ABM, IBM, and SGM -




.........................and he's driving a White Camaro that he ordered.

Please help me to understand that one............................would he actually buy three more Camaros?



Again -- not easy to make these decisions - and I could write a 10,000 word essay as to WHY the IBM issue is happening - and I'd still get "welll..........we built a pink mustang for our customer back in 1968 - so you should today"
(-- it isn't 1968 and if it were that easy to paint a pink Camaro to keep people happy, we would)

YOU own part of GM - and we must look out for customers and stockholders........that's you. We're sure trying.....but no matter what we do - we're going to upset some people unintentionally now and then.....and I hate that, but it's the nature of the business.

[z28camaro2471]

Thanks for the info Fbod! I'm easy to please. I like my cars black, red or blue. I'm pretty sure there will always be some variation of the preceding colors! I sure as hell hope so!!

[Fightinfire921]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

One poster on another thread on another site went off on me.....that we'd had the nerve to drop ABM, IBM, and SGM -




.........................and he's driving a White Camaro that he ordered.

I thought it was orange.

[Kscarguy]

Father
1) If you "flamed me" I'm not upset. With all due respect I think you may under estimate just how well I understand the pace of business.

2) 1/10 that's tough. We were hit hard to. But our competition doesn't put the gloves on when we are down. Keep your chin up. Drive to think outside the box. In it has already been mastered by the competition.

3) You stated it was another poster that went off on you. Well, responsibility and accountability are both very heavy crosses to bear. Only a few except the challenge and IMHO you are doing fine.

4) Remember processes fail, not people..We can fix any process to be reproduceable and repeatable in manufacturing ,even in the transactional environment. I believe it, because I've lead and participated on teams that have done it. People on the other hand are hit and miss...the White Camaro guy is a great example.

It's time for me to get to work. Yes it's 3:30 am here. If the team does decide to introduce a Z/28 in the mix. Spend a little more time on the commincation processes. You and the rest of the Camaro Team will have what we all want. Satisfied Customers

[GoldenBear]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Oh if it were only that easy ...

Again -- not easy to make these decisions - and I could write a 10,000 word essay as to WHY the IBM issue is happening - and I'd still get "welll..........we built a pink mustang for our customer back in 1968 - so you should today" (-- it isn't 1968 and if it were that easy to paint a pink Camaro to keep people happy, we would)

I have found that many want simple solutions to complex problems, but, unfortunately, simple solutions are easy, attractive, usually less than adequate, and they all come with unintended consequences.

At a high level simple solutions often appear straight forward. It's the actual real world implementation where simple solutions usually fail. The high level concept of painting a pink car is simple -- Get some pink paint and paint the car -- done. However, there are the details, such as, what shade of pink, where to acquire the materials for the paint, what types of materials need to be painted, what will the cost be, what standards must be met, how to validate the paint, how will it impact the paint process for the entire plant, etc., etc., etc.

People who don't have backgrounds in design, development, architecture, or engineering, and who aren't responsible for actual implementation often don't understand all the complexities of developing and producing a mass produced product that includes intricate hardware and software which must meet government standards and must be validated for safe use by customers.

When people complain about why companies don't do this, that, or <insert one's pet idea here>, they appear to think that the individuals who work for those companies have room temperature IQs and are barely capable of tying their own shoe laces. What those people who complain appear to ignore is that things are rarely simple, and black and white, and that life and the real world is composed of shades of gray, and that just about every choice involves trade offs that must be weighed. Generally, when a choice is made, there will be some who will be disappointed. One can focus on the disappointment, or one can move forward and look for positive alternatives. If all of the energy that people spent complaining were put to more constructive uses, we'd all probably be better served.

[HDRDTD]

scotch plaid

Hmmmmmm.........

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

I have found that many want simple solutions to complex problems, but, unfortunately, simple solutions are easy, attractive, usually less than adequate, and they all come with unintended consequences.

At a high level simple solutions often appear straight forward. It's the actual real world implementation where simple solutions usually fail. The high level concept of painting a pink car is simple -- Get some pink paint and paint the car -- done. However, there are the details, such as, what shade of pink, where to acquire the materials for the paint, what types of materials need to be painted, what will the cost be, what standards must be met, how to validate the paint, how will it impact the paint process for the entire plant, etc., etc., etc.

People who don't have backgrounds in design, development, architecture, or engineering, and who aren't responsible for actual implementation often don't understand all the complexities of developing and producing a mass produced product that includes intricate hardware and software which must meet government standards and must be validated for safe use by customers.

When people complain about why companies don't do this, that, or <insert one's pet idea here>, they appear to think that the individuals who work for those companies have room temperature IQs and are barely capable of tying their own shoe laces. What those people who complain appear to ignore is that things are rarely simple, and black and white, and that life and the real world is composed of shades of gray, and that just about every choice involves trade offs that must be weighed. Generally, when a choice is made, there will be some who will be disappointed. One can focus on the disappointment, or one can move forward and look for positive alternatives. If all of the energy that people spent complaining were put to more constructive uses, we'd all probably be better served.

God Bless you.

This should be a sticky on every site.

Thanks for taking the time to share this!

[Happy_Dan]

I can arrange that on one site I know, but they already know this on that site.

[HDRDTD]

If we got one in scotch plaid, we wouldn't be required to wear a kilt, would we??

[KLR ZL1]

Originally Posted by OldScoolCamaro

...here's a different blue, whadayaa think????

I like that blue, it really brings out the curves and lines of the body. HEH.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

If we got one in scotch plaid, we wouldn't be required to wear a kilt, would we??

[OldScoolCamaro]

Isn't it special when we all play together and just get along...priceless...

[1BADZL1]

yall stop posting pictures of my wife up here please....

[1BADZL1]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

you know...that mouth on that dog almost fits..............

ehhhhhhhhhhh...................welllllllllllllllll llllllllll............
never mind.........................