BLOG: You have the right to remain silent...
Friday, November 17, 2006
Can you recognize a fabulous PR opportunity?
International companies housed in many of Houston's towers have a fabulous PR opportunity right in front of them. But will they recognize it, or will they be injured in the fight?The power of word of mouth and the blogosphere is being demonstrated in Houston as minimum wage janitors go on strike for eight-hour shifts and health insurance. Most of the effort is being led by a hard-working woman who developed breast cancer and couldn't afford her treatments. Yes, she could fall back on Medicaid, but is that really what we want? Most say we don't want a single-source medical plan, yet that's what Medicaid has turned into with more than half our population uninsured. But I digress.
The point here is that one woman ignited an international fight on behalf of others whom she hopes never will go through what she is suffering. Her efforts have drawn attention worldwide by bloggers who are translating her words into other languages. The shame/blame is being put on more than the janitorial service, but also includes the major international businesses housed in those buildings, as well as the insurance, or should I say uninsurance, plan in the U.S.
The bottom line here is that all businesses should take a close look at what's going on around them that might affect their reputations, not just internal actions. The businesses in these buildings have a chance to come out of this smelling like roses if they take up the banner on behalf of the janitors in their buildings.
I wonder how many, if any, will recognize this fabulous PR opportunity being served to them on a silver platter by janitors cum butlers.
Comments:
Unfortunately, I don't believe most American business leaders consider conditions outside their corporate headquarters. Our country is still very young, immature. Europeans will take to the streets and abandon their desks for a cause that rings true. Americans are still babies.
Joan Halgren