Un-lease some Creativity! Ya think!
Even for a better business model propoenent as you seem to be...saying Michigan is devoid of creatively talented public servants would be a bitt too negative...then surely its citizens should have the upper hand so to speak...and I find it refreshing when governments can't be out of the box-but citizens can...upholding the 9th and 10th USA Constituional Amedments-----so why not have total reform---as much as total can mean! Reforming salaries, and number of representative in the State legislature to match the terms limits, and districting taking place now, the new model has to be: revamp the organizational structure and hopefully it will be able to capture better comparative advantages it had not previously!
but this effort is being blocked administrative by those who don't want change to be so pervasive....
Michigan will be symbolic of a tattered mitten, whose fingers were closed into a ball and whne they opened the mitten was being renewed instantly and out of the center of the opended mitten a phoneix flew----seeming to hail from the thumb region or South Easten Michigan
Un-lease some Creativity! Ya think!
First of all Creativity in the State of Michigan with Jenny at the helm has given the voters who put her back in nothing!. We are the poster child for other states on what not to do. Creativity here in the state of Michigan is like watching paint dry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Un-lease some Creativity! Ya think!
DCH:
With the technology the way that it is there is no way a workable virtual leasing model is not being employed by the Big 3-oh let me get this out--if Honda would do it and Toyota then GM would or Ford...we have to be innovative--you scrape the cake bowl until all of its gone! Waste nothing!
Cut out the middle man at the dealership...let leases come from fleet sales, and offset that area of the business...if you can go online and rent a car why not go online and lease a vehicle.
Rentals have the same issues leases due--have insurance pay for any damage to the car---make the leasee file a claim unless they want to pay out of pocket!
DCH, if GM can finally go to a four day work week and use solar panels on plants in Maryland are we really saying Detroit does not have the vision to retain business and increase sales via leasing by way of fleet sales?
Just when I think I should by some Ford and GM stock reports like these make me wonder if creativity is being unleashed or unleased if you like the pun, nahhhh its being held @ bay!
I heard a Wall Street guy say give me a street smart college grad with some ability to lead and speak and present information over a bunch of quant freaks from Wharton anyday!
The Big Three has which of these? ya think?
DPS Schools
This panicked demand to simply close D.P.S. schools is simplistic, patronizing, and nonresponsive to the community's desires, needs, and expectations.
In short, I believe, closing schools is a simplistic and inept response to correct D.P.S.'s fiscal problems.
Parents want their neighborhood schools. This Leadership is attempting to affirmatively respond to the community's desires while at the same time become economically efficient and responsible. This represents a pursuit in unchartered waters. It takes patience, leadership, and forward thinking which is reflective of Dr Callaway.
To simply close schools would satisfy the media and political leaders in Lansing, but it would not reflect the will of the citizens of Detroit which we serve and which are our foremost concern. The D.P.S. Board and Dr. Callaway have the difficult but not insurmountable task of embracing a leaner D.P.S. and simultaneously a D.P.S. which also reflects the hopes, demands, and expectations of the community we serve.
We must work together to develop a budget which first reflects the desire of our community i.e. keep our neighborhood schools and secondly satisfies the state's concerns i.e. fiscal integrity.
Therefore, we must develop a lean budget which will keep as many neighborhood schools open as reasonably possible. With this in mind, let's discourse and address the following:
Creative strategies to economically use buildings which have a large underutilized capacity
Possibly consider K-8 or even K-12 configurations
Consider specially programs sharing the facility i.e. juvenile health clinics, church leasing portions of the building, housing Community youth outreach programs
Keeping the larger facilities for population future growth
Leasing part of the facilities to Board certified Charter schools
There are a plethora of possibilities over simply closing and abandoning our structural legacy. The challenge is great but not insurmountable. We need an encompassing spirit of patience, and an overall willingness to team together through theses unchartered waters set before us.
Sincerely,
Rev. Frosh, DPS employee
Jobs, jobs and more jobs
We continue to read about all the jobs that will be created by companies coronated with grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Is anyone or any organization keeping track on an ongoing basis of what was projected versus what is actually happening. It would make an interesting study and I suspect, the actual numbers are far less robust than what Governor Jennifer promises.
Kayak Man
Sell, close DPS schools; bridge 'digital divide'
DCH
Thanks for engaging me. Yes, my original ideas. I pray that the city votes intelligently this November and despite Carolyn Kilpatrick winning, her decline in popularity suggests that its not business as usual.
The notional about bringing online universities here is a clever one..for one--Capella, Phoenix and Maryland (umuc) would be able to gain more capacity for less dollars than they pay in posh Troy for example where the University of Phoenix has set up a footprint...
Think about it DCH: McKenzie (and other schools) Already have parking lots, cafeterias, grounds, tens of classrooms, a gym ....etc...for a lil bit of bread to buy the vestige of Detroit's glory is peanuts for what they get in return and the city prospers...its citizens get to go to a school locally...not out in the suburb and risk 'driving w/o a license or failure to pay for past due tickets...I mean if you live in the community you could walk or bus it in 5 minutes.
Like I said, I had suggested three years ago to convert the State Fair Grounds into a Gigantic Strip mall and I am now only being heeded. Who cares a flying you know about the State Fair--it gives the city 10 days of festive activities...most folks break the 8 mile horizontal only to go right back across 8 mile when they are done...most don't even go downtown!
So, in lieu, you bring in major big box retailers-sure J.C. Penny would be one such retailer but the State Fair Grounds could be one mamouth a** complex...you could place a ton of businesses on that track and if Detroit is smart it would require that whoever opens up shop must hire Detroiters-only-you know-the ones who really need living wage jobs ($10.00-$15.00 an hour).
God bless Archer..I voted for him twice and will vote for him for Governor but no way should Greater Grace had gotten the old Edge Water Park...too much land for a church..a franchise is fine and they are a fine congregation..but too much land for a church--this is not the vatican!
That land could have been given to a Wal Mart...DCH why is the 11th largest city in America w/o its own Wal-mart, hell Meijers is headquartered in Detroit, and we don't have a Meijers in the city on Meyers Avenue (just thought I would throw that literation in there).
We don't have a Krsipy Kreme, a Olive Garden, a Golden Corral, a Cracker Barrel, a Tim Hortons, (do I REALLY NEED TO GO ON?)
I met the Mayor on Wayne State's campus and I asked hz. honor why we don't have a Wally's World (euphemism for Wal-mart) he said "as long as we go across 8 mile and support those Wal Mart why would [Bentonville, Arkansas] want to build one here." My retort "Sir, until we build one on this side of 8mile we have to drive 20 miles to a Walmart out of the city!" He conceded and left with his entourage!
We need chief cheerleaders for Detroit who are willing to believe we can have "our own everything." To be truthful this is why the suburbs are much cleaner-all things being equal-than the city...we have 50% less residents than we had in our hey day, but the same fire department has to respond to put out a fire of a vacant site-because its public safety...but that property generates no tax revenue or ad valorem tax to the coffers to offset the variable cost of putting out that fire!
So, why not redevelop all commercial property and residential property! I don't like the idea of the land bank-but its too late for that...that would have to handled by the next incoming Council.
When I run for Detroit City Council next year I am going to put together a trade mission and invite the top national franchises here and connect them with Detroiters (rather they be the Chris Webbers and Tayshaun Princes and Jalen Roses, Betises, Willises, Colemans, or joe and jane or tyrone and keisha smith.
Then I am going to invite some companies here that are in the fortune 1,000 (501-1000) and show them a new international vantage point that they might not have in their respective community and my vision and cheer leading tells me, me and other Council members with a new Mayor and a revitalize commerical property structure should be able to swoon a few to relocate-not just emmigrate within the state to here, but relocate by immigration from another state--this is how I see it!
And why you got me at DCH Principals in High School need to teach one class. I did a study that said if all principal followed this mantra we could add an addition 40,000 to 60,000 insruction hours to the district at a higher level of instruction without raising the budget-how you ask DCH:
thanks for asking:
If a building with 1 principal and two assistants partook in the program you would add an addition three hours (the mandate would only require that each teach one class in their subject areas since all principals have a Masters-they will give a higher level of instruction). 3 hours X 5 days equals 15 hours of added instruction per week per building. Well you X that by the number of weeks in a school year (40) and you get 600 instruction hours added to each building. Multiply that X by the number of buildings...say Detroit has 100 and viola DCH--not rocket science huh?
But we have superintendents making more than governors and the district is crumbling and she harps that its the charter school taking kids away-a lie..competition is good, what they fear is that Unions will be broken because Charters do not have to have Unions-that's the way I see it.
Lastly, consider paradox...I don't have license to teach but I have a Masters say in Math. I graduated with a BS in Mathematics with a 3.0...but I am not licensed...a qualified teacher according to NCLB (No Child Left Behind) who is licensed graduates with a BS in mathematics with a 2.8 and does not have a masters all...I ask you a simple question as a reporter and parent-which would you want to teach you child-the regulated to teacher or the decentralized teacher-especially let's say the unlicensed but highly qualified teacher has a way of relating to the kids and before you know it the rabble rousers are in the principal's office and the 80-90% who want to learn are feeling the teacher's learning style and start to engage the learning process.
I could go on...about other ideas but know this DCH: this is my coming out plan-I have a major endorsement of a well respected politico already...but we'll spring that one later!
This is not hard for me..I love to improve...I graduated with a 1.1 gpa from Southeastern H.S. in 1986 and went on to earn a BA degree Cum Laude and a Masters of Science in Management-I am a Renaissance!
Daniel Howes View of Chrysler
Always negative things about Chrysler.....
Chrysler will be around long after you retire, which we hope is soon.
Detroit Automaker's Woes--This is not your Mother's Saturn
Today's decline in market share is the result of poor products from many years ago. Years ago the Japanese and then the Kroean manufcaturers knew they had to deliver better products at a lower price to win American buyers. So young people began buying these cars and because the products delivered as advertised and the dealership experience was professional they continue to remain loyal to these brands.
So GM, Ford and Chrysler lost a whole generation of would-be buyers. Who will not even consider a "Big 3" product.
The only loyal buyers left were the employees and suppliers of these companies. As these companies lost more market share and began cutting white and blue collar jobs in huge numbers, these once loyal buyers no longer felt indebted to their former employer and they lost a percentage of these loyal customers as well.
While these companies tackle their complex labor problems they fail to make the tough decisions when it comes to their own brand portfolios. More than likely we will see a mass exodous of brands like; Buick, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Mercury. These brands are not performing and the commitment required to revive them would be better spent on healthier brands.
leases, Condition of Old Domestics automakers
I wish everyone would understand what has happened to GM and in sympathy our area. By standard definition and generally accepted principles, GM is an insolvent enterprise. Liabilities exceed assets by billions of dollars. The only thing preventing an involuntary bankruptcy petition is three creditors making the demand. Review the senior corporate debt. It trades between $ 0.45~0.50 to par. This is consistent with a defaulted company that has hope of some recovery. But don't believe me. GO TO the New York Times August 6th "Executive Suite by John Norcea or today's - August 7th WSJ-Personal Journal James B. Stewart (he is a columinst for Smart Money).
Current Senior Staff at GM has been in control for over twelve years. Combined losses after profits are north of $ 60 billion dollars. The stock that traded for $ 88/share when Wagoner became CEO now trades for less than $ 10. And what about our housing and commercial building values? We should be like the villagers outside of the Frankenstein castle with axes, shovels, forks, and other weapons. We should be demanding resolution to ineptitude. Oh and by the way, Emerson the GM Director who said Rick Wagoner is the guy to lead has a checkered pedigree. His last assignment was CEO of Eastman Kodak. Under his watch, Kodak badly stumbled and never recovered.
SE MI deserves better. We deserve the likes of Penske, et-al.,. managing GM. Read history. GM was bust in 1920 under Crappo Durant. Pierre DuPont made a personal investment followed by DuPont, Inc. taking a 20%+ ownership stake. DuPont ran GM from 1921~1961. Gee, that's the zenith of the corporation.
Managment matters!
Jouralist fixes for the car business
Hi Dan;
Just started to look at some of the many subjects you seem to have an expert opinion about lately. I've seen many auto journalists come and go in my 30 year automotive career and have always giggled at their whimsical fixes for the industry. The fix articles rival the U of M, kick the hell out coach Carr to fix the Wolverine football team. All the articles make for interesting and provocative thoughts, but you know in the end, the car companies will do as they damm well please. Oh, I could go on exploring even deeper causes to the auto industry woes that I'm so in love with using the infamous GM salute. You know, the crossed finger pointed hands of blame and shame. But you, nor I can change the course and have to sit in the bleachers sniping at the players, coaches and referees.
I look forward to change in the industry and always remember my grandpa saying that the automotive industry takes no prisoners and will eat you and spit you out without a blink of the eye. It's been a tough road Dan and Grandpa was right, but I still love hammering my Vette around traffic while the wind is blowing my gray hair and flatuance out of the removeable top.
Leasing
Dan,
You are 100% correct in your analysis of the Big 3 abandoning leasing.
Leasing has made vehicles of all models available to a broad range of automobile consumers.
If the Majors insist on taking this path, they'll learn that many of their dealers are now doing "sign and drive" deals on 2 or 3 year old cars - often from a different manufacturer - at monthly payments that are even lower than their former new car leases from the manufacturer they represent.
This anti-leasing move ranks right up there with the discontinuation of fleet sales. The current collective braintrust would rather forego selling a million or more vehicles at a 10% profit for the chance to sell fewer vehicles at a 20% profit. Are there any adults in management positions at The Big Three?
RonT
Toledo
End of Leases
This, in my opinion, is another blow to the automotive industry, not just Detroit. It may be quite a shock to the industry.
Imagine a world where many consumers can only buy what they can actually afford. No more teenagers with full size pickup trucks, or neighbors with new cars every two years or less. No more co-workers, who earn significantly less than me, criticizing my choice of older cars. Or, asking me directly why I am driving that piece of junk.
I always answered the same way: it is paid for and I got better plans for my income.
On a positive note, perhaps Americans will start to save more. We need that in USA, so we stop borrowing from other countries and we prepare for our retirements. Our population is getting older, our tax base of younger working people getting smaller AND earning less. Who is going to pay for the social programs now in place and the potential future programs if the Democrats get the Presidency?
We, as the rest of the industrialized world, are heading for a two tier society: the have's and the have's not. I immigrated to escape that, and now it is coming here!
Perhaps, USA needs a dose of advice from the Depression era folks, who like my 80 year old mother, tells me over and over again: save all the $$ you can!
Lastly, I agonized on investing by purchasing a couple of homes & renting them out. I got the $$ but I do not have the confidence that MI will ever return to what it was. I view home prices as directly based by an area's income. Income is going down for thousands of Union folks, zero income for the thousands no longer working...Detroit and local counties has not hit bottom, in my opinion. Also, I keep noticing throughout MI an increase in the going out of business signs and empty store fronts. What a mess! OK, back to work for me!
virtual lease
Why don't they keep leasing, but cut the variable costs out of leasing to limited the loses incurred. If you take leasing as a totally online process-no paper work-no salespeople---no showroom eating up lease profitabilities, and remove the overhead out of it...it might be marginally profitable...
Three Headed Gog
Breaking News:
Cerberus, Sells Jeep, Dodge Ram and buys foreign cars to sell as Chrysler's.
GM, Sells Hummer, GMC, Cadillac/Buick and buys foreign cars to sell as Chevrolet's.
Ford, sells Lincoln/Mercury and buys foreign cars as Ford's.
Autos and leases
The world has changed. No longer can the leases be securitized in collaterialized pools held by special purpose entities. FASB is nearing pronouncement to ban this method.
Yep, to a casual non automotive outsider, Chrysler is being readied for sale or partial ownership transfer. It is unfortunate that the prior senior staff at Ford wasn't replaced 30 months ago. I suspect Ford would be kicking by now. They will be (kicking) before their cross town rival figures it out. Kudos to Mullaly and associates.
rjf
