Hey, everybody, it's Kai Rizdahl.

Thanks for downloading the Corner Office podcast.

Another new episode for you today.

Rich Kramer, the chairman and CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

It is one of the biggest tire companies in the world.

It's been around for more than 100 years, and although tires haven't really changed all that much, minus the steel-belted radials, of course, consumer

behaviors and technology sure have. So Good Year has had to evolve and adapt as well. Here you go,

Rich Kramer.

We're expecting you. What do you have a seat? Ready to go to work?

Rich Kramer, welcome to the program.

Glad to be here, Kai. Thanks for having me. Why tires? What was it about tires that made you want to join this company? Well, that's an interesting question. You know, as you know from my background, I was previously a partner at Pricewaterhouse and moving to a tire company was something of a change. But I have to tell you, having been in two of those jobs, I would tell you, you know, tires are a bit unique, but both what I was doing before and what I'm doing a good year, it's

really a people business.

It's a customer business.

And tires were just a different way to make our customers happy.

Would you be offended if I told you?

And my guess is that I'm speaking for a large

section of the listening public out there, that really tires are just a pain in the butt.

Right?

Well, you know what?

Tires are some of the most important things that you have on your car for safety reasons and the like,

but I'm not at all surprised, Kai, what you're saying.

And in fact, that gets into one of our latest retail concepts, rolled by Goodyear, which is really all about making the tire buying process easier. You're a great straight man. Well, there you go. All right, look, so this is a real life example. I had my car in the shop for regular maintenance a couple of weeks ago, and the guy said, the service agent said to me as I picked it up, he was like, well, sir, you're going to need some tires next time you're in. And honestly, it's a nightmare because you've got to go down there and the guy gives you this price and that price. And if you can make that easier, sell me. I'll give you 45 seconds to give me the roll pitch. Roll is all about making the tire buying process easier. You come in, you tell us how you want to shop. If you want us to pick your car up with our concierge service, we'll do that. If you want us to install them while you shop, we'll do that. If you want us to come to your home or to your kid's soccer game and put on your tires while you wait, we'll do that for you. It's all about how you want to shop and making it easier for you.

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