Planning, partnership and purpose: The heart of Goodyear's road map for success

AURORA, Colo.—History can serve as a pathway to the future, Rich Kramer, Goodyear chairman, CEO and president, told tire dealers during his annual keynote address at the Goodyear Customer Conference.

More than 1,400 dealers and their guests—as well as another 800 Goodyear associates and exhibitors—attended the four-day event, which concludes Feb. 5 at the Gaylord Rockies Convention Center. The theme of this year's conference is Built to Lead.

Kramer identified three key "Ps" for the company and its customers to succeed in what he calls a "new mobility ecosystem":

• Plan;
• Partnership; and
• Purpose.

Those three elements, he said, will help ease the transition from current automobiles to what the company calls the new FACE of the industry: Fleets; Autonomous vehicles; Connectivity; and Electric vehicles.

"Having a plan answers two questions," Kramer said. "What problem are we solving? And how do we go about solving it?"

Goodyear's plan
Kramer discussed Goodyear's beginnings, and used the history of the automobile of an example of how difficult it is to embrace rapid change, especially the kind of change today's auto industry is experiencing as it pushes toward a new mobility landscape. When the automobile was first introduced, Kramer said, people threw rocks at it because they preferred the traditional horse and buggy.

But times changed, the industry evolved and the technology was embraced.

Kramer reminded dealers that Goodyear constantly is planning for the future, citing, among other work, its development of the intelligent tire, where every tire has an individual signature and fingerprint. The technology, he said, is closer than we might imagine.

The intelligent tire has been in development for five years, and it will help fleets operate autonomous vehicles more safely and efficiently.

Maintaining partnerships
Among Goodyear's most important partners are the dealers who have aligned with the Akron-based tire maker. Kramer lauded them for being outstanding partners, saying they are a critical element to the company's success. The dealers' have maintained a trust in the Goodyear brand, confidence in its products and strong interpersonal relationships , and the Akron-based tire maker intends to continue to prove itself to them.

Goodyear, Kramer said, will "continue to supply the right products, look for new tools and anticipate changes in competition" to remain a valuable partner in the future.

Focused on its purpose
Purpose, Kramer said, is "the common cause that unites us, beyond simply selling a product or service." He further defined Goodyear's purpose as enabling "mobility to make life's connections easier every day."

Kramer shared a few instances of feedback he has received from customers who have lauded great customer service from Goodyear-aligned dealers.

One woman wrote to Kramer, complimenting a Maryland store that stayed open late to check the air pressure and TPMS function of her teenage daughter's vehicle. Goodyear, she told Kramer, provided "an enormous relief to a parent who is two hours away."

Kramer told dealers, "As long as our purpose guides us, it doesn't matter where the future of mobility goes. We will be there together, build to lead."