This weekend was a busy one for our politicians. Not only did the powers to be negotiate a bailout deal for the US Financial industry, the Senate also sent President Bush a spending bill that includes a $25B loan for the Detroit Big Three automakers.

So what will the Big Three do with the $25B?

Their plan is to retool the factories, create more fuel efficient vehicles, and reduce emissions.

Hmmm…..

What is interesting is that this news has really lit the blogosphere with people expressing opinions from “no way” to “great”. But even the supporters of this $25B loan to the Big Three are critical of the Big Three and their short-sightedness to not realize where they were heading when they built those large monster vehicles.

I am also glad that the $25B got approved in spite of the fact that I as a taxpayer will one way or the other pay for it, now or later.

So given that my hard earned money will go towards resurrecting the Big Three, here’s are some words of wisdom as they prepare to spend the $25B that’s coming:

1. Create a strategy to focus on the end goal, more fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles

2. Ensure that the strategy is not reversible at the whim of some middle or upper management person.

3. This is do or die! You either spend this wisely or know that you will go under. That’s the only mindset that you will need to operate under.

4. Hire local talent, there’s plenty of it around here. And hire the best of the best to create a product that can be “quick to market”.

5. Cut the red tape and create urgency in all who are working on this, this is no time to dilly dally.

The $25B loan is a boon for all of us living here in the Detroit area. Design and engineering jobs will be created. Local people who’ve lost jobs will hopefully be able to find employment and won’t have to relocate outside of Michigan to support their families.

Using the $25B, we will retain our local talent, create new jobs, and hopefully revive the Big Three.