Chapter 11! The legal term for bankruptcy. General Motors (GM). An automaker going broke. Even after receiving numerous bailouts. The CEO says it’s time to re-make the company. Is it too late? Is this a good time to buy? For those just hired, recently fired or sick and tired, listen up. Time for a reality check. Refresh your game.

GM will focus on four brands. Cadillac, GMC, Chevy and Buick. The others are doomed or for sale. Brand is just another word for ‘core competence.’ It’s about working with what makes you best. If brand is the ‘what’ then niche is the ‘who.’ GMs future lies in vehicles that fit their strengths. On those that feed their revenue streams.

Green is the new green. Technology plays a major role. GM plans to make smaller cars. More fuel-efficient and environment-friendly. An electric car is coming soon. They have to lower their cost structure. Why? In order to compete. They must use technology to spur innovation. They better build vehicles that are right for the time. With the latest bells and whistles.

How does GM come out of bankruptcy? Get employee and customer buy-in. The reinvention campaign is big on reaching both. Town meetings. Progress reports. Web chats. Part marketing and part networking. GMs bottom-line is at stake. They gotta make this work. So their makeover strategy is critical for success.

Can you relate? Reinventing yourself is about visioning a new you. Building from a new place. Leading with your brand. Networking with peers and peeps. Expanding biz/career success.  Use technology to work smarter. Join in on social multi-media. Take a page from GM. Get your skills, tools and team to work. Where? Pitch your niche in the new marketplace.