GM’s Fall from Public Praise

I recently read Bob Lutz’s book “Car Guys Vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business,” which discusses the decline of General Motors leading up to the company’s bankruptcy. Lutz’s throughout the book draws attention to how the media influenced the public’s opinion of GM. GM’s top management did not see the value in engaging with the media, and this is what created a negative relationship between the two. Ultimately, this negative reputation grew into what is now referred to as “fake news.” Often, media reporters would praise Toyota and other foreign car makers while stating that GM was a horrible company not concerned about its customers. The media was partial toward these foreign companies purely because the companies were vocal about their strategies and commitment to products that were for the benefit of the consumer and the environment. Lutz provides his opinion that “The job of the CEO is, in large part, making sure the company is seen in a favorable light.” I think this is a powerful example of the importance of being your authentic self and communicating well with others. [1 image, 1 quotations, 1 book, 186 words].