num_pages: 256
description: It's time to stop the dominance of the number-crunchers living in their perfect predictable financially-projected world (who fail time and again) and give the reins to the 'product guys'...those with vision and passion for the customers and their product or service. When Bob Lutz got into the auto business in the early 1960s CEOs knew that if you captured the public's imagination with innovative car design and top quality craftsmanship the money would follow. The car guys held sway and GM dominated with bold creative leadership and iconic brands like Cadillac Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile GMC and Chevrolet. But then GM's leadership began to put their faith in numbers and spreadsheets. Determined to eliminate the waste and personality worship of the bygone creative leaders and maximize profitability management got too smart for its own good. With the bean counters firmly in charge carmakers and much of American industry lost their single-minded focus on product excellence and their competitive advantage. Decline soon followed. In 2001 General Motors hired Lutz out of retirement with a mandate to save the company by making great cars again. As vice chairman he launched a war against the penny-pinching number-crunchers who ran the company by the bottom line and reinstated a focus on creativity design and cars and trucks that would satisfy GM customers. After emerging from bankruptcy in 2009 GM is finally back on track thanks in part to its embrace of Lutz's philosophy with acclaimed new models like the Chevrolet Volt Cadillac CTS Chevrolet Equinox and Buick LaCrosse. Lutz's common-sense lessons combined with a generous helping of fascinating anecdotes will inspire readers in any industry. As he writes: It applies in any business. Shoe makers should be run by shoe guys and software firms by software guys and supermarkets by supermarket guys.
language: English
title: Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business
publisher: Portfolio