YOUR CRITICAL ISSUES

We are losing market share.

We need to revitalize our brand.

We need ideas for new products or services.

We need to increase adoption of our technology.

We expected better sales.

Our market is dominated by a single competitor.

We have no comprehensive oversight of our design efforts.

GREG’S BLOG

GM + Focus Groups = Acura?

What are they thinking in Detroit? I recently saw an episode of Charlie Rose that originally aired on August 19, 2008. It featured a discussion with GM’s Vice Chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz about the Chevy Volt (pictures of which, like the one above, have leaked out). Two things struck me. The first was that Mr. Lutz was so emphatic about the fact that the design of the production Volt had received over 80% approval in focus groups. If you think that’s great news, you’re wrong.