When it comes to informing the public of an 
organization’s missions, policies and actions a company must think strategically in order to make the right move. It’s in that crucial moment that a company must act, in a consistent and credible manner, or else they might just lose their king.
GE’s mantra: “We bring good things to life” embodies it technological ingenuity, however it falters in many other categories. Each time GE is confronted with criticism, they launch another heartwarming ad of them lending a helping hand to third world nations and relishing in its technological advancements. Behind their public relations masquerade, we gain a completely different understanding of GE and what it brings to the world.
organization’s missions, policies and actions a company must think strategically in order to make the right move. It’s in that crucial moment that a company must act, in a consistent and credible manner, or else they might just lose their king.GE’s mantra: “We bring good things to life” embodies it technological ingenuity, however it falters in many other categories. Each time GE is confronted with criticism, they launch another heartwarming ad of them lending a helping hand to third world nations and relishing in its technological advancements. Behind their public relations masquerade, we gain a completely different understanding of GE and what it brings to the world.
And Honestly, I’m Down Like the Economy
When it comes to addressing GE’s latest financial undertakings, PR practitioners look to CEO Jeffery Imm
elt to give Americans some peace of mind. According to the Harvard Business Review, Immelt wrote that GE and other U.S.-based multinational companies’ growth will depend on “reverse innovation,” or developing products in emerging countries such as China and India. Immelt’s bright idea is to develop products in these low-cost countries and then distribute them worldwide. Products like a $1,000 handheld electrocardiogram portable device and a $15,000 personal computer based ultrasound machine. This will allow GE to expand into emerging countries and keep firms there from creating similar products, then expand sales into the U.S.This reverse innovation gave GE a chance to act proactively by communicating their belief directly to the media. I highlighted Immelt’s key message, “Success in developing countries is a prerequisite for continued vitality in developed ones.” GE’s PR people have done a great job relaying his message to different media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. This is a perfect example of how GE enhances its reputation and promotes its mission.
Proud as a Peacok
Heck, if reverse innovation doesn’t bring GE out of its deficit they could always sell part of its NBC Universal unit to Comcast for about 30 Billion. According to Bloomberg.com (full article), Comcast and GE are in cahoots about forming a joint venture that would own NBC Universal. If talk is true, Comcast will soon own more than 50 percent of the film, broadcast and cable-television business. With all that money GE could cover its full dividend again. However, GE spokeswoman Anne Eisele, NBC spokeswoman Allison Gollust and Comcast spokeswoman D’Arcy Rudnay all declined to comment.
In this situation, it would appear that the cat was almost out of the bag. Although no comment sounds completely sketchy on their part, we wouldn’t want them to break cardinal rule number one about media relations: HONESTY!
Battle Royale
Are Jeffery Immelt and NBC waging war against media companies? Sources from Nielsen Business Media believe that Immelt ordered his news operations to be less critical of 
President Obama. Word then spread across liberal and conservative websites that Immelt put a GE company-wide ban of all advertising and editorials of Nelson Business Media, in response to their investigation. After reading internet blogs, GE’s Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Gary Sheffer, responded in Immelt’s defense by saying that “Immelt had no involvement with this matter.”
Having someone else comment on your behalf looks foolish, Immelt should have made the time for a press conference with the local media. However, Sheffer acted reactively to the reporters’ questions and allegations, which thankfully cleared the air before a crisis occurred. Future reference: don’t send someone else to do your dirty work!
President Obama. Word then spread across liberal and conservative websites that Immelt put a GE company-wide ban of all advertising and editorials of Nelson Business Media, in response to their investigation. After reading internet blogs, GE’s Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Gary Sheffer, responded in Immelt’s defense by saying that “Immelt had no involvement with this matter.”Having someone else comment on your behalf looks foolish, Immelt should have made the time for a press conference with the local media. However, Sheffer acted reactively to the reporters’ questions and allegations, which thankfully cleared the air before a crisis occurred. Future reference: don’t send someone else to do your dirty work!
American Impoverishment
“At GE, we believe ideas are limitless. Every day, we go to work innovating, inventing and building the advanced technologies that are creating jobs and redefining what’s possible. We call it the American Renewal”(Message found on the innovation page of GE’s website). Is GE constantly creating jobs and redefining what’s possible? Let’s take a look at the facts… GE hasn’t received a single locomotive order from any North American business yet this year. Their transportation division is calling for a “tough” and “bleak” railroad market through 2010. In February, GE announced it would be making 350 permanent job cuts and placed 1,200 workers on hold. How did Stephan Kolier, GE spokesperson for transportation division respond to this statement? “There is a likely hood of more permanent layoffs.” Exactly what every employee wants to her from their employer.
And the good news keeps on coming…GE Transportation CEO Lorenzo Simonelli verified what people were thinking for weeks, that the General Electric plant in Erie will permanently layoff nearly 1,500 local workers. YourErie.com argued, “You can't layoff this many highly paid workers, from Erie’s largest employer, and somehow escape the economic affects of this announcement today.”
“At GE, we believe ideas are limitless. Every day, we go to work innovating, inventing and building the advanced technologies that are creating jobs and redefining what’s possible. We call it the American Renewal”(Message found on the innovation page of GE’s website). Is GE constantly creating jobs and redefining what’s possible? Let’s take a look at the facts… GE hasn’t received a single locomotive order from any North American business yet this year. Their transportation division is calling for a “tough” and “bleak” railroad market through 2010. In February, GE announced it would be making 350 permanent job cuts and placed 1,200 workers on hold. How did Stephan Kolier, GE spokesperson for transportation division respond to this statement? “There is a likely hood of more permanent layoffs.” Exactly what every employee wants to her from their employer.
And the good news keeps on coming…GE Transportation CEO Lorenzo Simonelli verified what people were thinking for weeks, that the General Electric plant in Erie will permanently layoff nearly 1,500 local workers. YourErie.com argued, “You can't layoff this many highly paid workers, from Erie’s largest employer, and somehow escape the economic affects of this announcement today.”
Terrible idea for GE to go public about employee layoffs, why not release this information solely in an intranet or company news letter instead? Nobody wants to get stabbed in the back.
Thanks, GEewhiz!
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