President Obama Shouldn’t Have Visited a GM Plant

Many people don't know that Detroit has a rich history of being a world leader. From the “Stove Capital of the World” to bicycle tires to cars and more, Detroit continues to adapt as markets change. Now, we're shooting movies, thinking green and building alternative energy sources. Who knows what it will look like in the future, but I believe passion is wired into our DNA. Thanks Chris for the shout out and love for our city.

@sbowmann

PS When ya com'n back for a visit? ;)

Chris,

We're building many great things in metro Detroit. And, contrary to popular belief, most of these accomplishments don't involve four tires and and an engine.

We just need the rest of the world to hear about it.

Thanks for spreading the good word.

Brandon
@bchesnutt

Reminds me of my father laughing when I mentioned the auto industry as a kid trying to plot a career course. I didn't have a world view outside of what Detroit's industry is most famous for. Until my dad pointed out that the world is bigger than building cars, it hadn't really occurred to me.

Motor City Connect sounds like a great resource, (you'll notice that it includes the “Motor City” identity). In terms of re-branding, what two words other than “motor city” are as immediately identifiable with Detroit?

Chris, funny how the comments about where you are in Massachusetts immediately made me laugh thinking about probably the same sort of place in the Berkshires where my family lives, all the old mills and plans that are closed.
The problem is that our schools don't teach entrepreneurship for the most part, but just prepare people to go into career fields (Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Computer Scientist, etc.), there is not a ton of “out of the box” thinking and training.
And you are right (but you know that) passion is the key, I was coaching another Real Estate agent on how she was going to start her new business (we might be an industry, but real estate agents are ALL entrepreneurs) – she was talking about going to on of those wedding fairs and buying a table to collect names. I told her that was an expensive way to build a mailing list, and instead directed her back to what her passion was. She has a plan now, and a unique one that guarantees she will succeed and build a successful real estate business, and will also help the disabled and their families. A win-win I think.
I have always been one of those people that has a million and one business ideas, or product ideas, but the problem was that in college I had to pick a major – and none of those majors taught me how to write a business plan, or start up my own company, or the financial basics I needed to do that. Perhaps that was my fault and if I had been a business major those things would have been available, but as a Communications major and Fine Arts major, those should be required classes as well. Maybe they are today, it has been a while.
This is why I am happy to paticipate in the Delaware Dept of Eco Dev's Entrepreneurship progam, teaching at boot camps, and advising participants. I love that my state recognizes there is a problem, and the Governor even knows that entrepreneurship is the key to economic recovery.

I bet Pres. Obama agrees with you.

“What Detroit needs isn’t a return to more car jobs. What Detroit needs is what Pittsburgh needed: a new identity”-Chris very spot on. We all need to move in the direction of change and learn to be MUCH better at changing with change! Going back never really works because things especially today are morphing at warped speeds. Generations, demographic, psychographics all trending forward. You can't go back but you can CONTINUE in a different way! Thanks..

I love that you've highlighted the fact that Detroit's people are the rebuilding blocks, not the industry. Michiganders, and Detroiters in particular are tough. We're scrappy, we understand that we're the ones that are in control of our future, and thanks to things like Motor City Connect and other groups, an incredibly passionate and connected community is working toward a common goal. Thanks for being on board.

Thanks for the Detroit love, Chris. I'm really glad you point out that it's important to recognize Detroit is more than the Motor City. Yes its reputation was built on the thriving auto industry, and yes it's great that industry is now making a comeback, but there are SO many more positive things happening here. Motor City Connect is a great example. We're making a big effort to let people know about all the creative talent and entrepreneurs here who are finding success. We're bringing big national conferences/events like the 140 Characters Conference, TEDxDetroit and TEDxLansing and Ignite to Detroit. We're starting our own conferences like FutureMidwest that call attention to those making waves in the technology and digital spaces.

Thanks for helping us spread the positive message about Detroit. :)

Nikki
@EstrellaBella10

I'm a native Akronite, so I was also reading this post from that perspective.

I think cities like Detroit, Akron, and Cleveland are suffering not just an economic depression but also, literally, a metal depression. “We used to be Motor City. We used to be the Rubber Capital of the World. What are we now?” Here in Ohio, it's hard to think about what might come in the future because people my age and younger are LEAVING! They're heading off to cool places like Chicago, Portland, Boulder, and Boston. Nothing puts out a fire like chronic “brain drain.”

That said, Akron will never again be able to be the King of Rubber. Detroit may never again be the king of cars. So at some point, we need to come to terms with that and say, “Okay, what now?”

Hey Chris,

Thanks for this.

Have you read Graeme Maxton's books, “Driving Over a Cliff” and “Time for a Model Change”? Your points exactly. The automotive industry business model was never sustainable and never accountable to Wall Street in the way other industries are and now it's being forced to change.

As a Detroit native and former business journalist here, changing the mindset is a hard battle when several generations of a family worked at Ford or Chrysler or GM. It's been an insulated, small world/my world mentality among auto execs and managers they are not eager to give up.

What many outsiders don't realize is the massive tech and engineering assets resident here that are not pure automotive — the computer technology in an average car is phenomenal. Slowly, slowly this old battle ship is starting to turn.

Thanks for the push.

The Detroit people rarely see is the one that is littered by doers, who are a bit too busy to try to nab some limelight for their actions. That might seem a little smug, but it is actually a good thing. When you're making cool technologies to make newer concepts like micro-financing fun like the LOVELAND project or focusing on renewal through sustainable farmland, it is understandable that you don't have a lot of time doing a lot of PR work.

As many of us are already trying to do is highlight these stories, so the rest of the world can witness the Detroit that we do. We have a long ways to go, but we are going to get there. Fortunately for us, we have some patient people on the help and even more ready to help.

GM has been in some type of an slump..especially in the Detroit area..I have talked to a lot of people up there who are hurting from the car industry.

People are looking for President Obama to be an saver like his god or something..but regardless I think he's doing the best he can..hey its hard to fixed 8 long yr of BS..

Thanks Chris

“TrafficColeman “Signing Off”

Regular reader, first time commenter.

Great post – I absolutely agree with you on this one. I believe there is always opportunity – even in misfortune – and this is a great wake-up call to all of us to remember that. Your message reminds me of that scene in the movie “Up in the Air” where George Clooney's character lays off a middle-aged man who, in his shock and anger, asks how he is going to find a job at his age.

Having looked at the guy's CV beforehand, Clooney then mentions the man's previous training as a gourmet chef (if I recall correctly) and then suggests that now may be the opportunity to chase that dream he had before he started working at the plant.

Of course it's easier said than done, but it's a pro-active way of looking at things when the going gets tough…

I've only lived in the Detroit area for 4 yrs. I was completely blown away by the positivity and resiliancy of the people I met. My first connection, aside from my neighbors was Motor City Connect and I credit Terry Bean and Charlie Wollborg for opening my eyes to this brilliant community.

I firmly believe in the old saying “Don't put all your eggs in one basket.” Whatever Detroit chooses to do, I hope it builds not only on the industries mentioned here but also on it's entrepreneurs who keep small numbers of people gainfully employed. We're in this economic mess because too much power was given to too few who did not consider the long term effects of their choices on the community.

The U.S. Government gave GM a huge chunk of taxpayer money. The President who ever it is represents the American public and by default has a responsibility to make an appearance at GM and any of the other places our money is being used. The government needs to show that it was an well placed investment. While the rank and file members of GM, Chrysler, etc., bask in the glow of success, let's not forget the “bailout.” Since we were told that without our help they would have failed.

Chris, your intentions are well thought out and I agree that President Obama should not have given a speech at a plant, but that's what politicians do.

Detroit won't reinvent itself to become another Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh had to reinvent because the jobs went away and never came back. The cars are still in Detroit and the business of automotive is done here on a 24 hour basis. Every auto company has a presence in one way or another. As a lifelong Detroiter, I still find it astounding that Southeast Michigan is so dependant on automotive, but that's who we are. It's a fact, that out of a region of over 4 million, a family member or friend has direct ties to the industry. Slowly we are making it back with the good things going on at Ford and with Chevy rolling out the Volt. I find it funny when I read from outsiders that we must reinvent to become something else like Pittsburgh or Cleveland. What we need to do, and what we are doing, is reinventing ourselves to be come a New Detroit.

Hope you can make it back to the D soon.

Before I was a digital consultant, I was a press secretary on Capitol Hill. I have lots of love for my friends who still perform the difficult job of serving as elected officials and their staff, but they are NOT entrepreneurs, and they don't think like entrepreneurs. Obama represents unions (among other groups), and he doesn't view it as his job to transform them. Some people might say that a great leader's job is to transform institutions and people, and that may be true, but from my own experience, I can say that elected officials are VERY careful and selective in picking the “transformative battles” that they want to fight. Most of the time they stick to simply representing, which is really what they were elected to do…

Yes, Chris, yes. But automobile manufacturers have a role to play in the local economy beyond the cars they make. Think of all the halo businesses that can serve and employ people because of a Ford and GM turnaround. And what about all the people who would move to a thriving Downtown if/when car makers start hiring people again? It's not one or the other. It's one AND the other. Automobiles aren't the panacea, but they do play a role. And they are starting to show signs of supporting local business in real and meaningful ways.

The thing I'm learning about Detroiters as I spend more time there is that they aren't looking for a handout. They're almost offended when others (including the president) try to prescribe their own fixes. It's an incredible city.

Afterthought
That last line should read “it will be workers that will deliver the transition”. The Leadership Summit is the Apple Tree that falls and when a tree falls those with greatest PR savy will hand those apples out. They will be sure to get photos of the themselves handing out the apples too.

Hey Chris,
Thanks for the Detroit Shout Out, we really appreciate it. Your perspective is Spot On, and while we are car people, and love our cars in Detroit, the area, the people and the businesses are much, much more than cars and the auto business. What is emerging, for those that can see it is an incredible come back of start up businesses that will be the resurgence of Detroit and SE Michigan,

So spot on Chris, not only in Detroit but so many places in our country and world…if only we were taught at an early age to find our passions, leverage our talents and strengths and live in alignment with our values – what an incredible world this would be!

Spot on Chris. I was at Maker Faire Detroit this weekend. Many exhibitors were local or from nearby. They had much to show and share. Energy and enthusiasm abounded. Those sparks can ignite (in a good way). Detroit has a future beyond cars.

PS I grew up midway between Detroit and Toronto (in London, Ontario).

You make a great point Chris. But right now many of those people in the 313 would just love to have A job…any job. Making cars, in the 313 is what they do. It IS their DNA, and there is nothing wrong with developing a strong manufacturing sector on top of an old one. Not everything we do is coded in 1's and 0's. People have to make stuff, and the people of Michigan have gotten their asses handed to them. So right now, a car job or any job that will keep the wolves away for at least another winter is a good thing, and if the President spending a day at a GM plant helps, then God bless!

Amen, amen. As a former Detroiter and one whose father worked for GM for 30+ years, I heartily agree. The city needs to find a way to use old skill sets in new ways. To redefine itself with an identity that takes into account its car DNA but also adapts to new innovations and technologies. therwise the saying I heard as a kid will really be true “Will the last one out of Detroit please turn off the lights?” Although I haven't lived in the Detroit area in over 15 years I still have family and friends there. I'd like to see them and the entire area thrive. I think this takes a paradigm shift and some strong leadership which this area has sorely lacked over the years. Losing hope but trying to stay hopeful. *fingers crossed*

I don't disagree that cars would certainly bring lots of jobs back. But that's like hanging around Pittsburgh waiting for steel to come back. Why wait?