We were scratching our collective noggins the other day wondering how RadioShack, once the bright light of Fort Worth's corporate community, could regain its stature, or even bring back consistent profits under a new CEO, now that Jim Gooch is gone and a search is on.
Dan McDonald, a RadioShack franchisee from Riverton, Wyo., whom we met last week when the chain brought franchise owners from across the country to Fort Worth for a conference, told us he would like a chief executive in the mold of Len Roberts, who retired in 2006."A real people person," said McDonald, who praised Roberts for seemingly knowing everyone's name and having enough charisma to energize a large organization.Personality aside, what's needed to turn around RadioShack?While others shied away from that challenging question, a TCU professor named George S. Low stepped forward and offered his extreme makeover solution for what was once the beloved Tandy Corp.Although RadioShack stores are just about everywhere, Low, who teaches marketing at the Neeley School of Business, says the business's future is online and that RadioShack should focus on exploiting its e-commerce potential."They need to gradually transition away from bricks and mortar to meet the needs of the marketplace," he said in a lengthy e-mail."They should keep the top-performing retail stores and also leverage them as a distribution network for the online sales and as a service center. But over the next 10 years they need to aggressively develop online sales, hire the best retailing people, market their online presence, and really make this division the heart and soul of the business model instead of merely an afterthought."And while they're at it, "I would also reposition the 'RadioShack' brand, which is old and outdated," he complained.Mincing no words, he called it, "the Oldsmobile of consumer electronics brands," warning that it's "in danger of dying unless it receives a major overhaul." Start to appeal to a younger target market, he implored.Low wasn't through."The product line and retail stores should be completely redesigned to be consistent with the brand repositioning and should look more like an Apple store," he said."The latest mobile devices, software and accessories should be the cornerstone of this new strategy, not cables and connectors for old technology. All brands, including Apple products, should be carried in a one-stop shopping destination for consumers where they can compare the latest gadgets on price and features."Hey, and move the two-way radios out. While you're at it, replace them with more tablets and smartphones."Change with the market, RadioShack," Low instructed. "Charles Tandy would have wanted you to."Aerospace conferenceA roster of aviation and aerospace industry heavyweights from across the country and, in some cases, the globe will be on hand for the Aerospace and Aviation Industry Manufacturing Summit that begins today at the Dallas-Fort Worth Marriott Hotel in north Fort Worth, across from Texas Motor Speedway.The conference is organized and sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and its Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership, and co-hosted by AllianceTexas.Leadership, economic conditions affecting the industry and work-force education and training concerns are all key topics on the agenda for the event, which continues through Wednesday.Speakers include Robert McTeer Jr., former president of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank and former chancellor of the Texas A&M University System; Nicole Lamb-Hale, assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing and services; Norman Augustine, retired chairman and chief executive of Lockheed Martin; John Garrison, chief executive of Bell Helicopter; and officials of American Eurocopter, Boeing, Lockheed and Spirit Aerosystems.Registration and fees are required for attendance. Register by calling 704-458-7298. For the agenda and more information, go to www.cvent.com/events.Award finalistMansfield's Mouser Electronics, a global electronic-component distributor, is one of five finalists for the Texas Workforce Commission Employer of the Year Award, with the winner being named next month in Grapevine.Mouser is part of TTI Inc., a Fort Worth-based electronics distributor that in 2007 was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway. TTI acquired Mouser in 2000.According to TWC, Mouser "has set a great example for other employers by serving as an active partner in work force and economic development." Calling Mouser "active" might be a gross understatement, given its hiring history.TWC said Mouser employed about 100 people when it relocated to Mansfield in 1983."After two major hiring expansions over the past three years, the company has now boomed to approximately 1,000 employees at its nearly 500,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution center," TWC said. "Mouser Electronics has partnered with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County to hire through the Texas Back to Work program, filling more than 60 positions."The company has also sponsored and supported job fairs held by Tarrant County, the agency said, as well as partnering with the Mansfield school district "to foster innovation in the district's math and science programs."TWC said the five finalists were chosen from 28 private-sector employers nominated."These companies exhibit tremendous dedication to their employees and local communities, helping to develop the local work force and providing positive working environments," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton.Other nominees are Champion Cooler in Denison, Nabors Industries in Houston, Priefert Manufacturing in Mount Pleasant and Walgreens Distribution Center in Waxahachie. The Annual Texas Workforce Conference Employer Award Luncheon will be held Nov. 29 at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine.The 2011 Employer of the Year was NorthGate Constructors of Irving.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727sabaker@star-telegram.comJim Fuquay, 817-390-7552jfuquay@star-telegram.comBarry Shlachter, 817-390-7718barry@star-telegram.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
