Regearing our Economic Growth

As you know we have often mentioned that CSM (Citizen Main Street) has been powering the Canadian economy for the past few years, we have also mentioned that Canadian companies are sitting on mountains of cash. We have all been reading that the Canadian housing market is cooling.

What does any of this have to do with the "auto business"? Simple...cash flow will support continued auto sales, and hopefully the cash flow that was directed towards a vehicle will remain constant in 2013.

A thought provoking and perhaps sobering brief from the Bank of Canada...take a moment its worth the time.

We Start 2013

Good Morning!

1953 Cadillac Eldorado

2013 is our 7 th year!

Here we go with fresh resolutions, renewed perspectives, reinvigorated passion. Its usually what happens when we have a few days off. Its also when a heightened sense of reality sets in after the holiday euphoria.

Hopefully you had an opportunity to share the company of family and friends, joyful meals, good wines, perhaps a cigar, and that Santa Claus was good to you.

Yes...the Cadillac in the photo is 60 years old...

This morning we fire up the engine for the lap of 2013...and wr are excited to see and experience how this lap develops. Yes we are thankful, and appreciative for all the previous laps, while at times being humbled by what goes on, other times disturbed, and every other emotion that comes along.

Some vehicles that we wanted to review for a bunch of reasons outside of our control did not happen, and we have additional vehicles in our sights for the coming months. 

We started work on a white paper, or is it more appropriate to call it an ebook in 2013, its almost done, it deals with one aspect of execution in the car business. Its not related to social media...we agree you are probably tired of hearing "social media" and a bunch of individuals that are "social media gurus".

Quick thought on social media for 2013:

If you need to attend a seminar or a conference to have a guru tell you what social media can do for your business, what strategy you should have, and how to execute. You are so far behind the 8 ball that social media will not help you at this stage. 

Its never too late to start, simply keep in mind that the folks that are enlightened, are light years ahead of you in 2013. These folks do not attend seminars, and will not tell you what they are doing, when, and why they are doing it...they will not share their real competitive advantage with you.

Wonder what Thought VII.XIII - 1 means? 

Thought = Thought Factory

VII = 7 th year of Strada, yes we have been publishing for 7 years in 2013

XIII = 13 the calendar year 2013

1 = month January

One of our resolutions for 2013 is to be thankful and appreciative on a daily basis for what we have, starting with all the priceless stuff money cannot buy. We hope you will do the same.

Yes...the engine is running, and warmed up for 2013...lets GO!!!!!

Vroom Room

Good Morning!

Desk and Saddleback briefcaseThe last Friday of the year, its the Vroom Room, come in make yourself comfortable, enjoy a cappuccino, biscotti, join the conversation.

Thank You for your participation and support this year...we are gratified that you participate and hope that you will continue.

Although we are not in the "eyeball business" and we do not run stories to attract temporary eyeballs. Our circulation continues to grow (organically), in 2012 we had an appreciable increase circulation.

The "desk"...after a few decades The Colonel got a new desk (does it look like a Christmas gift?), he quickly realized how attached he was to the old one. Started organising himself in the new one, he's not finished. Now you see a portion of the Strada editorial room. 

Many publications embark on a review of their coverage during the year. We have a search feature if you are seeking a specific subject/topic, please use the search. 

By now you know our perspectives and editorial direction, in case you don't...take a look at our Welcome page. We could not be more direct, and succinct. 

"Things" that caught our attention in 2012:

The Buck Stops Here: you remember that saying, we wonder where the buck stops these days, or if it even stops. Accountability has morphed, supported by manoeuvring, tactics, spin, and anything else that is appropriate for the situation. Lets move accountability along, and let the other individual deal with it, especially if the accountability requires courage. and will incur some bruising. 

Life Sense: we are still humans, being digitally connected we are losing sense that we are humans. Our digital connections do not transmit the subtleties of human communications. Its fascinating to interact with folks that have exalted positions, myriad degrees of education, impeccable digital branding, while remaining "old school intense" (yes you can replace intense by other describers). 

Good Cars: they are all good vehicles, in some ways commodities with a modicum of brand loyalty. Its how the business is executed that makes all the difference. In Canada we have superb examples of brand loyalty, execution, and combinations of both. MerBimAu is an example of loyalty/execution, Hyundai/Kia of superior execution, Chrysler of adept execution, VW of opportunistic execution, Honda/Toyota of enduring brand loyalty. 

Be Your Own Editor: we have been saying this for years, its more important now than when we started saying it. More than ever be your own editor, and quickly uncover the brilliant, from the intelligent, from the pedestrian to the just plain dumb stuff.

Passion: when anyone can publish, with thousands of pundits sharing their thoughts about anything and everything, and perhaps its not a bad thing to have all the pundits. The passion, the knowledge base, the experience, more passion, makes the priceless difference.

A fascinating voyage through time, a couple that took the same photo of themselves as a Christmas card from 1900 to 1942.

Wisdom Manifestos

From the book Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck.

Heart,Smart,Guts,and Luck

The slide version of the book...when you hear all the comments directed towards the auto industry, to be really good in the auto business...you got it...