Message from Dean Fitzpatrick, President of LHM Dealerships
Does it Really Matter?
E
ach and every one of you is an important part
of this unique organization. We wouldn’t be
as successful as we are as an organization
if you didn’t show up every day and do your
jobs as well as you do. As we all continue to
move forward, I believe it’s important to keep in
mind who we are and remember our company’s
mission, vision, and values.
Gail, the Miller family, and the senior
leadership of the organization have spent a lot
of time over the past few years contemplating
the values our company is based on and the
importance of making a positive impact in the
communities where we do business.
In recent months, Gail has appeared in a
series of television ads across multiple markets
speaking specifically about the Group’s values.
There are no screaming car deals, no service
specials, no free trips, and no unbelievable sales
accompanying these ads. She simply describes
the mission, vision, and values of our company,
proclaiming to the viewers that this is what we
stand for, this is how we got to where we are,
and this is what’s important to us as we move
forward. These television spots have resonated
extremely well with the intended audience and
we continue to play them in all of the markets
where we do business.
The message of “who we are” has been
effectively conveyed internally to all employees,
as well as externally to those with whom we
currently do business and those whose business
we have yet to acquire. Yet still the question
remains: does it really matter? Does it really
matter if our actions don’t always fully align
with the expectations? Does it really matter if
our company does not maintain what it says
it does and who it says it is? Does it really
matter if there is an external impression of
our company that is drastically different than
the internal version? I believe the answer to
all these questions is a resounding yes. It not
only matters, it matters in a big way. I believe it
matters to all of our collective futures.
We operate in an incredibly competitive
business. Sometimes, we may think taking a
shortcut will get us further ahead. While it
may in the short term, it always comes back to
haunt us in the long run. Sometimes, we may
think what we say or do doesn’t really matter
because the company is large, and what we do
individually doesn’t really make a difference.
But we all know from experience that even the
smallest act can have a huge impact.
The reality of it is each and every one of us
matter. What we do (and, more importantly,
what we don’t do) matters. A strong culture of
each of us doing things the right way and for the
right reasons is a true competitive advantage and
bodes well for all of us in the long run. It really
does matter! ◆
The reality of it is, each and
every one of us matters. What
we do (and, more importantly,
what we don’t do) matters.
Guiding Principle #3: Have a Little Fun, Make a Little
Money, Take Care of the Customer.
N, VISION,
&
GUIDING
NCIPLES
The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies
Dean Fitzpatrick, president of LHM Dealerships.
Very early on in the business, Larry and Gail Miller developed a
strong desire to not only succeed but to be known for the way
they ran their businesses and treated their customers. Business
for the LHM Group is like a three-legged milk stool, with each leg
representing one of the key drivers of success: having a little fun;
making a little money; and taking care of the customer. Remove
just one of the legs, and the stool topples over. This deliberate
balance continues to shape our interactions inside and outside of
the company, as well as helping us focus on what matters most.
Discussion ideas for managers, leaders, and teams:
1. How does the three-legged philosophy toward
business direct our interactions with co-workers,
vendors, customers, and the community?
2. Is one of the “milk stool legs” more important than the
others? What do you do if keeping one of the principles
appears to conflict with the others (i.e., taking care of
the customer and making a little money)?
3. What role does “having fun” play in business?
How can you infuse “have a little fun” into your
workplace?
LHMWSM.com
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