Wal-Mart Seeks Communications Expert
Last updated Tuesday, January 30, 2007 6:40 PM CST in Business
By The Morning News
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is looking for a director of executive communication, a newly created position at the Bentonville-based company, in what seems another attempt by the retailer to improve its image.
The new position is described as "critical to the strategic mission of providing support and development to the senior executive team (top 10 executives) as ambassadors of Wal-Mart's image and messages," according to the posting at Crowe-Innes & Associates Inc., a California-based executive recruitment firm.
"This key function will support the senior executives as they communicate the Wal-Mart story," the posting says.
The new director will report to Mona Williams, vice president of corporate communications. Williams did not return a phone call seeking comment by press time.
Among the director's responsibilites will be managing a communications team, working with speech writers and planning speaking engagements for executives.
The position offers an undisclosed salary, bonus and stock options, according to Crowe-Innes.
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Reader Comments (40 comment(s))
The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
Long term associate wrote on Jan 30, 2007 8:19 PM:
" Just another way to waste money for the executives who do not seem to know how to run the company without someone telling them what to do.
All the money that they have spent on outside help and Wal-mart is still performing badly.
When will the Investors see what is happening?
No help in the stores to take care of the customers and to get all the work done.
Why don't they get back to the basics of taking care of the customers and their employees? (We are no longer ASSOCIATES)
If the executives would take care of the employees they in turn would take care of the customers. Then they would not need to waste money on hiring someone to give them good PR.
The employees and customers alike would be enough good PR for all. "
You can't hire good PR wrote on Jan 30, 2007 10:55 PM:
" you have to earn it! Another typical waste of money by the Scott Patrol. If you want good PR you do good things, you can't buy it or make it up. "
Good Lord... wrote on Jan 30, 2007 10:58 PM:
" why don't they just get new executives that know what they are doing instead of trying to hire more and more support staff to try to cover all of their difficiencies? "
Anymore wrote on Jan 30, 2007 11:03 PM:
" it appears wal-mart is being run like a political campaign instead of a retail company. There is NO focus on buying and selling merchandise, those are just after thoughts. Mr. Sam stated that we should NEVER worry about all the talk, that if everyone did their jobs and did them well the company would in turn do well, and the good PR would come from that. And no matter what those stupid leaders say, that statement is not antiquated! They want to do bad, but have good PR, it doesn't work that way, and they are just wasting more and more money. What does it take for a board to protect it's shareholders? They should be advertising for new executives, not PR people!!!! "
Need a Spinmaster-Not Communications Expert wrote on Jan 30, 2007 11:47 PM:
" They are not looking for a "communications expert", they are in need of a Spinmaster who is able to put the proper spin on all of the lies propagated by the executives to the associates, vendors, investors, and the media. "
Damage Control Expert wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:07 AM:
" is what the job really is. Because the top 10 executives cause all of the damage. Looks to me like getting rid of them would take care of it. But instead the board, and Walton family has allowed the top 10 to run off almost every good leader left. Bring them back. You highly educated board members can't be that stupid. At least speak up and let everyone know exactly "why" you support the top 10. Maybe, you could shed some light on your thought process. "
What are the qualifications? wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:18 AM:
" 1. strong writing skills 2. polical background, particularly in campaign strategy helpful 3. gifted twister of truth 4. desire to advance without concern for others 5. ability to teach political protocol to top ten executives 6. ability to create misleading charts and graphs to justify top ten executives strategies 7. Able to read fluent spanish, to be able to interpret one of the executives notes 8. ability to be able to pass a lie detector test, while lieing 9. people of high integrity and values need not apply
10. Numerous degrees in anything required 11. Golfing skills a must 12. Not fearful of water 13. Able to change a mountain into a molehill 14. Very smooth, smiley, sly fox personality 15. Capable of advancing at the expense of others 16. Minimum hours required per week: 12 17. Ability to cater to the top ten executives 18. No respect for Wal-Mart culture is a must 19. If you have read and agree with Sam Walton's Biography, please don't apply 20. Will provide job recipient numerous shares of restricted stock as well as stock options(which won't ever amount to anything) WHAT A JOB,HA! "
follow your lead with no names wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:08 AM:
" if you are so mad at the company, leave your name on here, do something about it, leave the company if you work for them, or shut up and work... "
to follow your lead wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:18 AM:
" Oh yeah, leave your name. That will get you real far. You probabbly think it's safe to use the phones in the office for personal calls, and that your office computer isn't bugged... "
qualifications wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:22 AM:
" after reading the qualifications, only one potential candidate comes to mind, and he's soon to be looking for a job... GW Bush. I think he'd do a bang-up job. He would probably discover that the Wake up Wal-Mart group was somehow linked to Sadam, or that Osama was hiding in their broom closet... Send him a Wal-Mart app, but he'll need a drug test, and fill out the "available to schedule" sheet. "
Fast Eddie wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:39 AM:
" "Spinmaster"...it has a nice ring to it......watch as this position changes hands over and over as the "Super 10" loose patience with any bad publicity/news leaks/salary exposure. Puppet on a string, sado-masichist, you couldnt pay me enough for this job....weeeelllll.......almost. "
Assoc 2 wrote on Jan 31, 2007 9:31 AM:
" They will be dealing with a lawsuit shortly. Out of Tulsa, a shoplifter got killed by a LP associate. www.ktul.com or www.kotv.com. "
Well, here is an idea wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:50 PM:
" When I worked for Walmart, I sang the praises of the leaders. I loved them. I loved what my company stood for and was so proud to be a part of it. Maybe they would not need to hire anyone to make it look good if they had the support of the people that worked there. Just an idea.... "
To get the support of the people wrote on Jan 31, 2007 9:12 PM:
" they would have to respect the people, have integrity, and be like the leaders you were so proud of. Those are the leaders that need to be here now, then the support would be there. It's simple, the leaders have set the example, they have created the controversy, they have taken the company down to a level no one ever dreamed of. There is still tremendous pride for the company, but absolutely none for the leadership. If the leadership isn't changed soon, the pride will go next. "
to follow the lead wrote on Jan 31, 2007 9:15 PM:
" You certainly aren't going to intimidate anyone on these posts. If you don't like seeing our rights to free speech and the right to an opinion in progress, go away. We will write what we want, when we want, in the manner we so choose. This is NOT Wal-Mart and you can't control us on here. "
They had our wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:17 PM:
" support before August 3rd,2006. Pay caps, schedule changes, job cuts. We cannot stand it any longer.
If Eduardo is going that is one right move but Lee needs to follow. We do not support him and his lifestyle of luxury any longer. "
l.hughes wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:18 PM:
" i am a 25 year associate, we no longer are trained to take care of the customer (as you can see with not enough checkers,no one on the floor to assist you,messy stores)all the managers are concerned about is keeping the people in home office off their backs.come on waltons,stand up for your dad in what he beleived in, help keep his name an honor,sincerely "
Old Sam Philosophy wrote on Feb 1, 2007 9:12 AM:
" Met Sam years ago...his "business advice"...Take Care of Your Employees and They Will Take Care of You...seems this is lost these days at WalMart...its real easy to do and doesn't cost a fortune... "
Sam is rolling.. wrote on Feb 1, 2007 9:21 AM:
" over and over in his grave. The stores have become a synopsis of America itself, ran over by third world immagrants, cheaper built imported products at higher prices, and the top level administrators more worried about image and damage control than they are about fairness, strength of the people, and the future stability of the coutry (business) as a whole. Sorry Sam, RIP. "
Doug wrote on Feb 1, 2007 9:35 AM:
" I think a good look at themselves is in order.I know first hand that the new young,and very smart people coming in at Hq.don,t get the credit they deserve.Instead they get looked down on by their supers.who inturn thke credit for their hard work in their quest to kiss their way up the ladder. "
Agree with Old Sam Philosophy wrote on Feb 1, 2007 9:38 AM:
" It is so simple to follow the the rules of business that made Sam and Wal-Mart successful. Now the CEO and his team of executives feel compelled to try to reinvent the wheel. They should have kept those basic beliefs and built ON them, instead of ELIMINATING them. It started their poor performance, and it will continue until either they or new leaders step in and get it straightened up. Of course, there has to be change, but not to the basic beliefs and values. Not having the respect of your people is not good business sense. Leading by fear, and lack of integrity will not rally your people behind you. The environment that has been created is similar to others such as Woolco etc... and if the executives continue on their path, they will be the demise of Wal-Mart. "
Assoc 2 wrote on Feb 1, 2007 11:19 AM:
" Oh yeah, they need to hire quality people, not people who are alive. We hire anyone who walks in...and rehire those that were fired or quit. We need leaders who lead by example, respect the individual, and practice what they preach. Some leaders are too fake and phony. They don't take the Open Door seriously and they are the ones telling some of the gossip that goes around. "
They are the ones that wrote on Feb 1, 2007 8:15 PM:
" spread most of the gossip around, and they don't even know what an open door is. most of 'em haven't been around long enough to remember there ever was one, the ones that have been around long enough have amnesia. "
This is job is such a waste of money wrote on Feb 4, 2007 8:45 AM:
" if the company did the right things,they wouldn't need a damage control expert. They simply need to stop causing damage. The have to learn to reap what they sow, and they will. They can't send out enough good PR to off set their new "store initiatives". They have managed to destroy their credibility with everyone except those that are close to the current leadership. Wal-Mart's goal is to achieve a high turnover rate, thinking that it will rid them of all the long term, older associates. The associates know it because the managers told them so. That is why they fight and rebel. It won't stop, and this will snow ball from bad to worse. Of course the company doesn't care, but they will.... "
Hire a communications expert? wrote on Feb 4, 2007 11:17 PM:
" How bout just gettin' rid of the ones that make it necessary to feel compelled to NEED a communications expert in the first place??? They keep bringing in more and more people to try to fight the critics of wal-mart, when what they should be doing is eliminating reasons to be criticized! It's amazing to see the ability to squander corporate profits, when the could be using the funds to hire more cashiers etc...They forgot what they are supposed to be doing, buying and selling merchandise! "
Liz wrote on Feb 5, 2007 3:06 PM:
" As one who has worked both corporate and in the field, I feel qualified to say that often times those working in the stores have no idea what it takes 'behind the scenes' at corporate to support your efforts. If it were not for the corporate support the stores could not survive (and, naturally, vice versa). As the company grows thre will be a need for more people in the offices. Also, just as a matter of doing business, certain postions, such as this one, are necessary. "
We need someone wrote on Feb 5, 2007 7:09 PM:
" to communicate with associates in an honest and truthful manner. There are too many secrets. Communicate with us the flights or store initiatives or what ever they are called this week. We need to know what is going to happen to us. We need to be able to plan for our future not wonder if our job is the next to be eliminated. "
To: Liz wrote on Feb 5, 2007 11:40 PM:
" When was the last time that the Home Office sold anything? When was the last time that they personally served a customer? Sales and profits are generated in the stores and the Home Office thinks that the stores are there only to do their bidding. "
Of course, certain positions wrote on Feb 5, 2007 11:41 PM:
" must be added as the company grows, that's understandable,but come on, a communications expert to create positive publicity for the top 10 executives? They wouldn't need positive publicity if they did their darn jobs! If they cannot create positive publicity on their own, one would have to question if the right people were in place. "
Also, wrote on Feb 5, 2007 11:48 PM:
" I don't know how long you've worked for Wal-Mart, but ideas in this company always used to bubble up, not be pushed down. There is a wealth of information, ideas, and profit making decisions that could and should be created from the associates. We all know that those days are gone, at least for now. It is absolutely ridiculous to hire all the engineers and consultants, without considering ideas from the field. And guess what? Their ideas don't even cost any extra. There is alot of savings in expenses available, by eliminating the unnecessary fat in that office. Expenses should be reduced from the top down, not the bottom up. That, my friend, is exactly what made Wal-Mart successful to begin with, you can't take it in reverse now and expect any good to come from it. Look at the 2006 performance, the worst in the history of the company. If you don't think it occurred from the poor decisions pushed down from the top, you must be paying very good attention. And it will shortly get worse, because the company hasn't shared it publicly, but shrinkage is going up tremendously, why? their dumb dam decisions! "
We do realize wrote on Feb 6, 2007 12:16 AM:
" that there is alot of support for the stores in the office.We also realize that times have changed,and no longer does anyone in that office that makes the decisions care to hear our thoughts or ideas.We don't have an open door policy anymore.We aren't allowed to share profitable ideas, because we are supposed to be replaceable and meaningless today.I don't know exactly when the executives decided to feel entitled to thinking they were the only ones that could have good ideas, and that they are the only ones that could possibly know what to do and that we should shut up or leave but we aren't leaving,and we aren't shutting up either. Obviously you can't seem to comprehend that we challenge the figures of authority because we care,because we want Wal-Mart to be the best it can be,long term,not short term.The CEO has been given enough time to prove himself,and the stock still sets at near an all time low, the performance of the company is the worst it's ever been,he has no credibility with his people(us),and all the while has continued to be rewarded graciously for year after year of poor performance.I cannot comprehend my pay being capped when I get exceeds on my evaluations etc...but he gets 17% raises for non performance.We need leadership,we need good examples,we need new executives, meanwhile we will continue to diligently work together to achieve our objectives within our realm to do so.All the negativity in the world won't stop us "
you don't have to convince wrote on Feb 6, 2007 6:54 AM:
" majority, just the minority. It is a good day when you can finally see the associates working together again, as a team. You people may just manage to exceed numerous people's expectations. Good luck to you all. "
an entire office full of communications experts wrote on Feb 6, 2007 7:00 AM:
" won't begin to touch the associates! "
looks like they might be posting wrote on Feb 6, 2007 7:46 PM:
" for a lawsuits damage control person next. "
What they should be looking for wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:40 PM:
" is a new CEO, new President of domestic Wal-Mart's, new Head of Operations, and new Personnel executive, along with new executive attorneys, and a new CFO, oh, and don't forget 2 new vice chairmen as well. If they actually got rid of the above and replaced them with respectable, WAL-MART knowledgeable leaders, there is not telling how high is up. As long as the current leaders are allowed to stay, and continue to create unnecessary positions, and create divisions between the corporate office and associates, it will NOT get better, like it or not, it won't, and it's a dam shame too! "
karl 3 wrote on Feb 11, 2007 1:15 PM:
" They, could also save a whole lot of money. Sam came from a pretty humble background. I'm pretty sure their is a leader among the 1.8mil employees that is humble and more knowledgable about the founding cultures,marketing, distribution,logistics etc... than any of them sitting on top. maybe a storemgr,deptmgr,csm ,stocker,cartpusher. Which,one of them is going to have a base salary 12milish? Hell,I'll take the top seat for 1/4 of that. It would be one heck of a pay raise,and I have more integrety, trust me. HA HA. "
Julie Pierce wrote on Feb 12, 2007 12:17 PM:
" It's The Walmart Way Not Sam's Way by Julie Pierce
Soon.........Sam Doesn't Work Here Anymore
google it "
karl 3 wrote on Feb 13, 2007 3:36 PM:
" to julie i read what you have on the site.i would say it was good,but i would not say it inspries me.i'm too cynical these days about walmart,from my exp. with walmart. 17+yrs,deptmgr4x's,supportmgr3x's,unloader2x's,stocker3x's,salariedmgmt2x's,8different stores,wife worked for walmart for 7+yrs then fired,etc... you mentioned mgmt gave out last name of an assoc. and that schedules don't even have last names(the reason is so that if a union were to get a hold of one they would have a hard time contacting the assoc.s, that is also why they lock them up now). "
Not already registered?
former HO Assoc. wrote on Jan 30, 2007 8:01 PM: