20th Century – General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
21 Century – Google, Amazon, Apple
Think about it.
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Another Clone Lesson
Reviewing an open position at Comcast, I was pleased to see them recognize the need for a competitive strategist. What seemed to me, to be a forward thinking organizational move. Then the shoe dropped. The process ended with a short five question "clone" test.
One of my previous posts, discussed GM's clone test, referring to their employment tests to ensure "like thinking" employees are hired. You can see how well that practice has worked for them. Finally, their new management team is coming from outside the auto industry.
Comcast needs to learn this lesson, too. How can you create a new strategy from old thinking? Watch out Comcast! Apple is hot on your trail, with a new entertainment subscription plan. Acquisitions probably will not save you.
One of my previous posts, discussed GM's clone test, referring to their employment tests to ensure "like thinking" employees are hired. You can see how well that practice has worked for them. Finally, their new management team is coming from outside the auto industry.
Comcast needs to learn this lesson, too. How can you create a new strategy from old thinking? Watch out Comcast! Apple is hot on your trail, with a new entertainment subscription plan. Acquisitions probably will not save you.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Traditional Marketing
Frequently, I come across a job posting stating the term "traditional marketing." What does this mean? Really, I want to know.
I always though the goal of marketing was to be non-traditional. To create products and campaigns that were innovative and creative. It seems to me this is one of the core problems with the industry today.
Most of us have heard the definition of stupidity – Doing the same thing the same way and expecting different results.
Isn't this what you will get, if you seek traditional marketers?
Here's an example:
Several years ago, I took the General Motors employment assessment tests, prior to a marketing position interview. These exams took a little less than two hours to complete. I must have failed miserably, because I was instructed not to reapply for 12 months.
After speaking and reviewing the questions with a couple friends working at GM, these test are better defined as "clone" tests and squelch independent thinkers. They ensure people fit the GM mold. Just think about it, for over a decade GM built cars no one wanted.
Look at GM now. It begs the questions, "Is this the result of traditional marketing?"
I say, hire the people who flunked the tests.
I always though the goal of marketing was to be non-traditional. To create products and campaigns that were innovative and creative. It seems to me this is one of the core problems with the industry today.
Most of us have heard the definition of stupidity – Doing the same thing the same way and expecting different results.
Isn't this what you will get, if you seek traditional marketers?
Here's an example:
Several years ago, I took the General Motors employment assessment tests, prior to a marketing position interview. These exams took a little less than two hours to complete. I must have failed miserably, because I was instructed not to reapply for 12 months.
After speaking and reviewing the questions with a couple friends working at GM, these test are better defined as "clone" tests and squelch independent thinkers. They ensure people fit the GM mold. Just think about it, for over a decade GM built cars no one wanted.
Look at GM now. It begs the questions, "Is this the result of traditional marketing?"
I say, hire the people who flunked the tests.
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