The past months have presented nothing but bad news for the former world leading American automobile industry. Henry Ford must be rolling over in his grave. Alfred Sloan, the architect of the multi-division General Motors juggernaut, is a very sad “car guy” in the sky in those days. Plant closures, layoffs, huge staff, lost market share and horrible fiscal performance shows that the “big three” (including Daimler-Chrysler) are in big trouble. You must change, and change is not pleasant for large companies complexes, or for employees, suppliers or customers.

This leads to a change occurred, which grew right before my eyes like a little boy in Kentucky spirit. Several times a week, a horse and wagon would pull up ice in front of our house and the desired block of ice. The Iceman was Herb. My mother would always pleasant and they would greet Herb small talk, exchange, such as that the Reds game last night and enjoyed the nice weather we are. Herb was a hard working and very nice person. And then one day this regular ritual in our lives ended abruptly.

My parents bought a refrigerator. The hand delivered block ice that significant, the old fridge to keep cool was no longer necessary. My mother was very concerned about the impact of our new miracle device would have on Herb. She met him in the yard and told him as gently as possible that his ice deliveries were no longer needed. Then she asked him if he wants some iced tea and sat for a minute.

As clearly as I remember something in my youth, I remember this conversation. Herb knew the inexorable march of progress and technology, in this case, a 12 cubic foot Frigidaire, meant that he soon looking for a different type of work. It was sad. He was very trying, the fact, matter, and my mother, be encouraging. In the next few months we have seen Herb in the neighborhood less and less. Within six months, the Ice Company out of business.

Accept Change or Get Run Over

As the course of the industry, the bicycle industry, or dozens of other former thriving business, was to change the ice delivery, and then forced the American auto industry, business models. If changes were not taken up, so aggressively pursued, industry subsets being replaced by the new upstarts and technology. “The Big Three” still have a chance to adapt to new market realities, but they must in the pursuit of economies inexorable, creativity and change cumbersome bureaucratic corporate cultures.

Change is in the short term pain. Managers are significantly less. Blue-employees will not earn $ 65,000 per year plus benefits for unskilled workers in new jobs. Communities subjected to stimulate changes in tax revenues, property prices, and purchasing habits. College plans are disrupted. Retirement dreams may be delayed in some cases destroyed. Parts suppliers will be pressed on prices. And yet, the future can be for all concerned and should be bright.

As the Luddites in the middle of the 19th Century tried to stop the industrial revolution and the preservation of the ancient world were the working models are groups who try to thwart progress has been. Progress requires change. Fortunately, looked in the rearview mirror is not a widely admired American train. The parties have made the most from this radical change in the American auto business have several options for retraining, re-strategize, and new enterprises and services. With the mainstream of American drive, work and creativity of our society will be blessed with a new generation of wealth creation,  entrepreneurs and growth. It was always like that.

We live in a global market. Nothing will change, know that when foreign car companies make better products at a better price we must confront and overcome the reality of the market. Americans always have in the past, and there is no reason not to foresee a bright future, but others, for each participant involved in the current radical restructuring of our once great auto shop.

The American economy is the most dynamic in history. Opportunity abounds and is available to any citizen willing to compete in the marketplace of ideas, work hard and not backward looking. Ford, Chrysler and GM can survive and thrive. Nevertheless, understanding and preparing for change successfully from the losers, or modern Luddite is separate.


Once you have started by the University of Kentucky (BA Broadcast Journalism, 1969) and the United States Marine Corp, Mr. Ficke a career in the cosmetic industry. After rising to National Sales Manager for Vidal Sassoon Hair Care at age 28, he has funded a number of projects, including Rubigo Cosmetics, Parfums Pierre Wulff Paris, Le Bain Couture and Fashion Fragrance.

Geoff Ficke and his consulting firm, Duquesa Marketing, Inc. (www. duquesamarketing. Com) has large and small companies, domestic and international, entrepreneurs, inventors and students in new product development, capital formation, licensing, support, marketing, sales and Business plans and the successful implementation of their individual strategies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Page, Business School, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.