Volkswagen

Mistake Recognition x Precautions

First, it is crucial that Volkswagen recognizes the mistake and communicates it professionally. This can be done with the CEO taking full responsibility for the company and apologizing directly to customers, investors and employees. Even though confessing is important, it doesn't solve all the problem. Therefore, there are a series of precautions Volkswagen should develop in a way such mistakes don't occur anymore. This can be done by following 2 steps: 1st, by Recognizing those directly involved in the scandal. 2nd, Investing on Quality Control; cars that manipulate or don't pass emissions shouldn't be approved to be sold by those who ensure the quality of a product.

Innovate Company Values

Just buying trust back from customers and investors won't be enough for Volkswagen. Imagine being an employee and woking on the production of a harmful product without knowing that it was harmful. What about all the employees that care about the environment and sustainability. There is no incentive to work for someone if you don't trust them. Honesty and Integrity are values that should be priority after this occurrence. This applies particularly to top management and departments who knew that information about the engines that manipulated emissions tests. Want with finalize remembering about the quote in the beginning, on how trust takes years to build, seconds to break a lot to repair. This also applies to employees.

Environmentally Friendly

Our next recommendation is that Volkswagen gets involved on sustainable actions. After damaging the environment by allowing cars to emit toxic gases it would reasonable if Volkswagen helped on fixing it. For example, a new campaign could be established. For every 1 damaged car sold after the scandal Volkswagen will plant 3 trees in an urban area. Or plant 1 tree for every car sold in the next 10 years. Even though there are costs involved with such action, it shows the organization cares about the negative impacts it caused in the environment after selling unsustainable vehicles. This strategy can work particularly on reacquiring customers that felt affected an disrespected after the scandal. It increases the overall value of Volkswagen. People like companies that care about the environment.

Recommendations

Unethical, Careless, Illegal, Unprofessional - All of these are labels circulating around Volkswagen's brand and in their workplace. After this scandal, it should be clear that an impactful mistake happened and only by changing things, Volkswagen will be able to abandon those negative labels and operate its business successfully. Given the circumstances, we have prepared a list of key recommendations the company should take now on.