Wal-Mart PR Firm’s CEO Admits “Error” In Blog Controversy

I find it a bit spooky that that such an organisation as “Working Families for Wal-Mart” exists at all. It has a sort of Soviet ring to it.  Like “We the Workers vote for the Price of Potatoes to go up. Long Live Comrade Stalin!”

Hugh - I couldn’t agree more! It sounds a little bit like the “Working Families that enjoy substandard wages and health care Club!”

“in failing to be transparent” is the new way of saying “we were not honest”.

Wal-Mart’s problem is that they think they are smarter than everyone else and their level of arragance takes over and they think everyone will believe what they say, and if they don’t believe it, that is just tough luck for them because “Big Bad Wal-Mart” has spoken and learn to like it. Wal-Mart is so in tune to pushing everyone around that they are not programed to face being questioned about their unfair and questionable activities as people and groups of people are doing presently. Speaking of people speaking out against Wal-Mart, I know of two cities in the same region that has turned down Wal-Mart’s request to build supercenters. Looks like Wal-Mart is being pused back for a change.  Oh a note on that subject....Wal-Mart was turned down on a location and a nice Target is being built where Wal-Mart wanted to go in.

I always get a good chuckle when someone denounces Wal-Mart and praises Target in the same post.

This is 100% our responsibility and our error; not the client’s.

So true.

Edelman said that he delayed making his public statement “until we had all the facts.”

What facts did they need to gather? Didn’t they know what they were doing?

Okay, now that Edelman has commented, can we please stop hearing about this? It gets old.

REMEMBER JONQUIERE
HOME OF WALMART WORKER ABUSE

“I always get a good chuckle when someone denounces Wal-Mart and praises Target in the same post. “

Someone in USA....  SO TRUE!!!!  What it also tells me is they are “bandwagon” type comments made without truely knowing what they talk about.  I love the debate and I welcome all comments, even those of Alex (even though the Quebec thing got old a long time ago), all I’d ask is add substance and facts to the discussion.

btw, I’ve taken a look at your blog.... interesting threads, especially the one about health care since it contained more facts than I have seen elsewhere.  I wish people on this blog had responded more to the healthcare stories a few weeks ago.  I still believe the US healthcare is the BEST in the world, but paying for it is a huge issue and the one thing truely lacking in our healthcare is true capitalism and the consumer choice.  A great book discussing this is “The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care”.

-Richard K

I think it is absurd that he apologizes for not being more transparent but doesn’t apologize for the content of the so-called blog which was blatantly pro-walmart, and whose purpose would have been defeated had the connection been revealed. Even now he is spinmeistering—fess up dude!! This was so wrong on so many different levels—not to mention treating Americans like morons!

Hey Someone...How is it that you chuckle when someone demounces Wal-Mart and promotes Target.  Read the news from Wall Street and see which company is performing. You always run your mouth about having people prove things they say...WELL BIG MOUTH READ WHAT WALL STREET SAYS ABOUT WHICH COMPANY IS PERFORMING BETTER.  Wal-Mart has not met their profit expectations lately.  AGAIN BIG MOUTH...IF YOU ARE SO IN TUNE WITH WHAT WAL-MART IS DOING YOU WILL KNOW THEY ARE NOT MEETING THEIR PROFIT EXPECTATIONS.

Richard in,

If you were following the posts you would know that Someone in USA was not referring to performance but instead comparing/contrasting Walmart’s pay and benefits to other companies including Target.

-Richard K

Richard K...Target’s pay is higher than Wal-Mart’s. Target’s insurance is also higher quality.  You are just like Someone...the two of you think that you are the only ones that make any sense.  I guarantee Someone does not know as much about Wal-Mart as he says he does...he is a programmed puppet to say what Wal-Mart wants him to say.

“Richard K...Target’s pay is higher than Wal-Mart’s. Target’s insurance is also higher quality. “

Actually, Dingus, neither of those statements is true. We’ve been over this and proven it dozens of times so look it up. Lower average hourly pay, and benefits for fewer workers, more expensive, longer waiting periods.

Richard in

You certainly have stuck your foot in your mouth (again).  If you think you are correct in your statement about Target vs. Walmart then I suggest you point everyone to even 1 location with data that supports your accusation.  But I can save you the time because you won’t find any because it’s wrong.  As for Someone in USA, I have read many of his posts and links and he is VERY well informed when it comes to facts because he takes the time to research and dig up valuable information.

Pro, Anti, Neutral-Walmart.  Come on people do your homework or you add absolutely nothing to a conversation.

-Richard K

Richard K - You know as well as I know, that not all “valuable information” is correct, regardless of whether your pro or anti Wal-Mart. If somebody digs long enough, they can find anything that looks like “valuable information”, just as long as it fits their agenda. Most graphs, polls, and surveys, are geared to fit into a certain group’s ideals.

Richard K, Mags-

Thanks for the support. Richard K an additional thanks for checking out the blog. I do my best to promote the truth.

Richard in-

Are you the same person as Fred, John, Truth Hurts, and all the other people I’ve never heard of who suddenly see the need to attack me?

Regarding your claims, Richard K is correct. I was not referring to financials, but to having “moral” objections to Wal-Mart but not Target. While I have nothing against Target, I feel that Wal-Mart’s critics should at a minimum be consistent in their views rather than jumping on the anti-Wal-Mart bandwagon like mindless drones. You didn’t do your homework and made yourself look stupid by running your mouth anyway.  Forgive me for helping you along:

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13508
targetunion.org
http://www.prnewstoday.com/release.htm?cat=multimedia-online-internet&dat=20060907&rl=CGTH05107092006-1

“Where facts are few, experts are many.” – Donald R. Gannon

“If somebody digs long enough, they can find anything that looks like “valuable information”, just as long as it fits their agenda. Most graphs, polls, and surveys, are geared to fit into a certain group’s ideals.”

Power… Agreed!!  It certainly reminds people of 2 old adages… “lies, damns lies and statistics” and “he said/she said”.  Many “numbers” can be manipulated to support multiple positions.  That’s why, for anyone and everyone, you need to be as informed as possible on all sides of the issue then you’re best equiped to make up your own mind.

-Richard K

Someone in USA, Power, Mags, Bob… ANYBODY.  Has anyone come across ANY type of reporting that does a “apples to apples” comparision of Walmart to Target, Sears, Costco, Kohls, K-Mart..... anybody.  I still would love to see that data and I can’t find it anywhere.

-Richard K

POWER-

I have always found that one can minimize objections to his information by using sources friendly to the opposition’s point of view. Notice that I cited CorpWatch rather than Wal-Mart Facts or something like that. Richard K is correct. It is imperative that you be well informed about a subject.

Richard-

I haven’t found any straight comparisons. You could probably compile one by searching various sources. I’m not sure how accurate they would be as some of these companies are very tightlipped on a lot of figures.

maggotpuke-

What?

Someone in USA, I have tried to find info but it is elusive, even 1 company at a time.  I’m just surprised that no one in the media has done this homework.  And I’m surprised that Walmart has not done this as well and published it since it’s their contention that they pay as well as, if not better than other retailers.  This would go a long way in supporting their positions.  But then again Walmart, for all of it’s effeciences, has been absolutely horrible in the PR department lately.

btw, after looking at your blog I really like the one about/comparing the new Walmart health care plans.  It’s some of the most extensive info I have found so far and indicates to me just how un-knowledgable people are on how health care insurance works.

-Richard K

Someone - One of many good sources for viable information, as most of us have figured out by now, is Wikipedia. It gives the facts, pro’s, and con’s of just about anything and everything you could possibly want to know about, while giving references at the same time. Unlike your typical hard back encyclopedia, the topics are updated that same day, as new information comes to light.

Richard K-

I have learned a lot about a great number of subjects just by studying Wal-Mart - economics, politics, the legal system, etc. It has also taught me a lot about practical matters (such as health insurance) that people my age often don’t think about.

I assume the newest comment in that health plan post is from you. At least you saw my point. Wake Up Wal-Mart really tried to spin that one, but I don’t really see what’s so bad about the plans. It will be great when Wal-Mart offers the $11 nationwide (assuming they can).

I will try to find that comparative information you are seeking. I think it would be a great blog post. If something surfaces, I will be sure to let you know. This could be fun.

POWER-

I often use Wikipedia to get an overview of topics with which I am not familiar and to find sources for arguments and formal papers.  However, if the information I find there is not documented, I am reluctant to accept it without further research. Overall I find that they do a pretty good job of keeping the information accurate.

Wow! POWER, we just had a civilized exchange! May there be more in the future.

RIchard K… you need some fiber in your diet. Target does pay higher wages. I know for a fact....you need to do your homework and investigate like I did. As for Someone...he is just a “brain-washed” puppet that gives his life to an evil company and does not understand what is going on outside of Wal-Mart.

Richard in

Wow, you’re at it again so I guess you didn’t get the message very clearly.  I even highly doubt anti-Walmarters like POWER would agree with your statements without facts.  You are more than welcome to make a statement that you think is fact but until you show documentation that SUPPORTS that fact it is rumor.

So I’ll ask you again.... point us to EVEN 1 location that supports your claim with cold hard facts.  If you know “for a fact” then show me the fact.  Is that so hard for an intelligent person like yourself?  Someone in USA even provided links to refute your statement and as much as you think he is “brain-washed” his intelligence and research level still continue to trump your rumors.

So come on Richard in.... show us the facts.  I’m waiting..... (but not holding my breath)

-Richard K

“I’m just surprised that no one in the media has done this homework.”

I think that no one has done this kind of research because the Anti WM crowd would probably not like the results. Perhaps we should find a way to do it. It’s much easier to set WalMart up as the whipping boy for the unions than it would be to sell an all-out assault on American business.

If such a study were to show that WalMart pays slightly above industry average wages, followed industry standard policies for retail workers, and offered the same or slightly better benefits, (which I suspect would be the case) the anti-WalMart crowd would be in quite a pickle. Unless, of course, their agenda is something other than changing WalMart, which is what I believe.

Mags,

I agree with your perspective on why the media and the anti-walmart crowd would not do the “homework” but then why not Walmart itself?  If they claim to provide at least the same if not better wages and benefits then competitors in the retail industry then come out and show everyone the numbers.  It would be in their best interest.  But then again Walmart’s PR issues are nothing short of stupidity as of late.

-Richard K

“But then again Walmart’s PR issues are nothing short of stupidity as of late. “

Too true. I think they are neophytes in the political/PR arena in which they are playing. For a public company, it’s my impression that they have always been somewhat secretive and private.  Nothing good or bad about that, I just think the corporate culture down in Bentonville has always been about price, value, get it done, let the customer have the last word. I don’t think they have stayed ahead of the curve from a PR perspective. I think that being in Bentonville and staying there has something to do with it. I think if they had moved the headquarters to Chicago or Dallas or NYC, things might be different.

They are going to have to get in the game, though. Even if it is unfair that they are the target, they still are the target. I think they play far too little hardball and are trying to softshoe their way out of the path of the oncoming train. “Look at our neato blog about fun experiences at WalMart!” “We’re going organic!” “We are environmentally responsible!”

I had a boss who used to tell me that if you are at the table and you don’t see the sucker, you’re him. In this case, WalMart is the sucker. They are getting played and they don’t yet realize it. The only way these folks will let up on them is the day the dues start rolling in, and when WalMart has become the springboard to unionizing every service job in America. WalMart needs to accept it and start going after them like it’s war. Get the information. Release it. Take out full page ads in every American newspaper. That’s the way they can turn the tide. Hell, just the corpwatch article about Target would be enough. If I were Lee Scott, that would be running in all the major papers in 24 point type every Sunday. I would go down to Florida and personally fire everyone who walked out and then call a press conference. I would hold up a Target stores application and tell the press directly that my company pays better and offers more but if these folks want to walk out, fine. I handed each one of them a Target application on their way out the door.

Want to watch their stock price skyrocket? Make it clear that they are on the frontlines in the war for capitalism. Point out how many Americans are invested in the stock market and that the unions think those profits belong to THEM and not to the investors. Define the enemy and call them out. That’s what the unions and the socialists have already done to WalMart, so what are they waiting for?

Richard in-

RIchard K… you need some fiber in your diet.

Now I am even more certain that you are the same poster as some of the others.

Target does pay higher wages. I know for a fact....you need to do your homework and investigate like I did.

Did you interview a new hire at Wal-Mart and compare his compensation to that of a 10-year Target team member? Maybe you worked for both? How exactly do you “know for a fact”?