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Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website This General Motors Corporation film “Accent on People“ dates to 1973 and was likely made in response to a perceived crisis in the American auto industry, which was losing ground to imports from both Germany and Japan -- imports which were perceived by the public as having better quality. The film provides a detailed report on GM programs and strategies implemented to improve the company in reference to the efficiency of production and the quality of products, for both management and employees. Upper-level management figures speak on the specific programs tested within their divisions, followed by the largely positive results of the efforts. The film is produced by the Bill Sandy Company, Inc. “Accent on People” flickering title overlay on scenes of typical people strolling (00:08). Trucks and heavy machines drive around on General Motors company grounds (00:43). All managers from General Motors arrive in Boston, Massachusetts (00:56). Former company vice president Richard Terrell speaks to the camera about his preferred management-styles (01:06). “Moving Decision-making Down the Line” (01:46). Donald A. Jenkins, assistant superintendent of Production in the Buick Motor Division speaks to the camera about the efficiency of the company’s foremen (01:50). A quote from a foreman is written on screen (04:18). Donald A. Jenkins continues his speech (04:51). “Team Management” (05:10). Inspection supervisor in the Chevrolet Motor Division, Rudolph M. Aranyosi, speaks to the camera about the company’s guidelines to improve results (05:15). Footage from General Motors’ organizational changes in a factory (05:29). A briefing meeting between foremen and management (05:38). Rudolph M. Aranyosi speaks on the company’s two guidelines written on screen (05:57). He continues to speak about the positive results written on the screen (06:52). Methods of improvement are implemented at this forge plant (07:15), and M. Aranyosi explains the details of the implementations (07:22). A meeting between pedal-team members and foremen (07:38). M. Aranyosi explains the positive results written on screen (07:59). “Pre-Supervisory Selection and Training” (08:36). Manager D. Robert Bell from the Pontiac Motor Division speaks to the camera about company programs in hiring and training foremen and managers (08:42). The ‘Special Selection and Training’ program is written on screen (09:07). The ’12-Month Industrial Management’ program is written on screen (10:12). “Pre-Start-Up Training” (10:59). General Superintendent Hugh I. Holland of GM of Canada, LDT. speaks to the camera about training strategies (11:02). The strategies (11:17). The positive outcomes are written on screen (11:51). The ‘Second Shift Operation’ program is written on screen (12:10). “Dealer Visitation – Products Improvement Effort” (12:48). Manager of the Cadillac Motor Car Division Henry B. Brawner explains the efforts for increased efficiency and profit (12:52). “Communications With Union Shop Committee” (15:28). Manager of the Fisher Body Division Chester E. Velett speaks on improving communication throughout the entire company (15:35). ‘New Tool Program Communication’“ (16:09) and the results (16:36). A graph displaying the open grievances since 1970 (17:34). “Foreman/Employe Involvement” (18:15). Robert A. Cindric from the General Motors Parts Division speaks about strategies to improve relations between employees and supervisors (18:23). The results are written on screen (19:46). “Leadership Development – Guidelines and Measurement” (20:13). Director of the Oldsmobile Division Arthur B. Wright speaks on strategies to improve leadership (20:19). The results are written on screen (21:54). “New Product… New Concepts in Assembly” (22:38). V.P. of the GMC Truck and Coach Division Alex C. Mair speaks about improving production productivity through team building (22:40). An orange 1973 Chevy van (23:12). A small model of the van's frame (23:28). Scenes with workers of a GM assembly factory (23:36). “A successful Experiment in off-line Team Assembly” (26:06). General Supervisor of the General Motors Assembly Division Reginald D. Grimes speaks about the assembly experiment as a team building-exercise (26:12). Graphs show the reductions in assembly-time (28:29). Vice President Richard Terrell concludes the film (31:11). GM employees exit a building (31:42). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
