After being responsible for overseeing the European launch of Buell in 1997, then coordinating Harley’s suppliers with its 5 US factories, then being appointed Managing Director of MV Augusta when Harley-Davidson bought the Italian brand in August 2008, Matt Levatich will become May 1st the new Harley-Davidson President and COO. Below is a letter he just sent to all US dealers. A good opportunity to learn about his strategy that he calls “Creating Silence”…
Dear Dealers, “You hear us say it often – a key reason for the success of Harley-Davidson is our outstanding dealer network, and the passion, dedication and business acumen that you bring to the retail experience as we create customers for life. So, as I begin to prepare to assume my new role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company next month, I wanted to share some brief thoughts on how I am planning to approach working with you—the best dealer network in the motorcycle business, bar none.
First, I want to express not only how honored and excited I am, but also convey what an awesome responsibility I know it is to lead this legendary 106-year-old company that I have come to love over the past 15 years. And I want to assure you that I will do everything possible to provide for our continued mutual success.
There’s no doubt that the market is tough right now, and I fully recognize the challenges that you are facing. But I also know that businesses with strong fundamentals, like the Harley-Davidson motorcycles business, can emerge even stronger and more disciplined from environments like this, if time, energy and resources are properly focused. And because I’ve seen the commitment and dedication you have to this business and the Harley-Davidson brand, I am absolutely confident about our long-term future of mutual success together.
Some of you may recall from when I was the Vice President of P&A in 07 and 08, my belief in working hard to “create silence.” Simply put, “creating silence” means eliminating the noise created by problems—fixing them and delivering results – so that we can all enjoy our mutual success. As we go forward together, my philosophy hasn’t changed. I intend to create silence for you, so in turn, you can focus on taking care of your customers.
And beyond creating silence, I look forward to doing everything we can to take advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead for all of us to grow and grow profitably – especially through the great products we produce. Dealer profitability is a vitally important part of the decisions we make throughout the organization and how we go to market. After all, profitability is what enables you to provide the kind of customer experience that is so critical to our value proposition.
As we get to know one another better, you’ll learn that what drives me is working hard and finding ways to do things better. And in working hard and doing things better, we create space for having fun, which I also believe is critically important. Fun is the payoff, along with financial reward, and there is no better business where this can all come together with power and purpose than ours.
Speaking of hard work and having fun, those are traits that absolutely describe the Motor Company President for the past eight years, Jim McCaslin. I’d like to thank Jim and acknowledge his tremendous contributions to Harley-Davidson and to the dealer network. Jim has worked tirelessly with you to achieve an enormous amount of success and forge a strong partnership based on trust. We all owe Jim our gratitude for his many accomplishments.
I’m looking forward to building on this foundation to drive future growth, along with Jim in his new role, all of you in the dealer network, our new CEO Keith Wandell and the entire team at Harley-Davidson.
I begin my new responsibilities on May 1 and my first official duty will be traveling on one of the U.S. Dealer Town Hall circuits. The timing couldn’t be better and I look forward to seeing many of you then, and listening to your thoughts and ideas for making this great business even greater” Sincerely, Matt
Touching!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Seems to me that trying to get through to the right department on their switchboard is enough to silence anybody.
I suppose that could be considered “touching” if wrapping your fingers around a neck is considered touching.
“Create silence.” Simply put, “creating silence” means eliminating the noise created by problems
Mafioso dealer gag rule? LOL
I liked the slogan stick it to the man.
CEO-speak. He will need to use English to speak to customers.
“Create Silence” ….. that is what Obama & Company are trying to do after the Tea Party’s around America today.
Over & Out,
Jeff
so dose this mean more metic parts on harleys?
He forgot to babble about a thousand points of light.
Thug…and your answer to your own question about more metric parts ??????
Hey Jeff,
Are you one of these people who Hussian calls a “Extremist” Some people on here will be pissed at you because they just love the way Hussian is doing business up in Washington.
I didn’t vote for Obama or this guy
Icy,
Let me see now ….. I am ex-military, a sportsman, have a concealed weapons permit, I think Sarah Palin is hot, Michele Obama looks like she belongs on the Wild Kingdom, abortion is murder, I believe in God and I am a Christian (in fact I am an Ordained Minister – that will freak some of you out!) I believe in our military forces, I believe we are the greatest nation and people the world has ever known, I believe that Texas should secede from the union, I attended a Tea Party yesterday and I think Mao Bama and he cronies will destroy this country if allowed to continue unchecked …….. yep, I suppose I am way up on the Obama Watch List and damn proud of it!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Well Jeff,
I beleive you and I are Brothers in more ways than one. I am on the same watch list as yourself and yes I am damn well proud of it. I attended the Tea Party yesterday at Strokers and will be happy for Texas to secede from the union.
Semper Fi
Jeff,
Dear god, will you please shut up and not comment on a post unless you can stick to the topic? I know you like to use this blog as your own personal little soap opera as you must have nothing else worth doing in your life, but please save your political, racist, egocentric comments for your cute little tea parties. Thank you.
Regarding the letter:
I agree, more CEO talk. Well have to see if actions follow words. Harley has worked a lot of their dealers in to a tight situation with their franchise requirements, I hope they take some big steps to help them all stay a float.
Jrod ,
Who are you to tell someone to shut up and what to comment on ? Are you some kind of asshole that needs tending to ?
Icy,
I would like to see Mr. Nimrod, I mean Jrod, tell me to my face to “shut up”. If Mr. Nimrod thinks I jest he is welcome to see me at any of the events or NHRA Races we attend …. that list is on both the Jeff Nicklus Customs website as well as the Desperado Motorcycles site.
Secondly it looks like the Tea Party’s have really pissed the fascists off! PERFECT! And this is just the beginning!
Third; Mr. Nimrod should understand that as of last November it became my goal in life to Piss Democrats (AKA: Fascists) Off and I consider that time well spent.
Over & Out,
Jeff