Robinsons Intl video response...

[thomas]

So if it were your company, you'd be happy that the clip was there for the world to see? I can't say that I would and I can't say that I know of any other company owner that would be comfortable to see that sort of negative press on show.

They've done their best by listening to BM, taking his complaint seriously and acting appropriately - no need to make things hard on them.

If I ran that company I wouldn't be too worried. The youtube video is never going to be seen by the world, certainly, if I ran that company my customers would not be searching my company name on youtube.

Now, if a customer was to find that video it may turn some people away, but the vast majority of 'my' customers would be motorists who wouldn't see anything wrong with the video...other than from the cyclist.

Now, if the video said "the company have resolved this and improved their cycle awareness training" or similar, then as a cyclist, even if I saw that video I would probably use them. Why? Because the next lot probably are just as bad.

Even now, I know of the video, but if I was to move house I wouldn't take the time out to avoid that company. Yes. I would avoid using them if it happened to me (hence I wouldn't use Anglian Buses), but to anyone else it doesn't really matter.

Every day, in the news companies get a bad reputation yet continue to make billions of pounds a year.

At the moment 'everyone' hates banks....yet I still paid for my shopping on my bank's credit/debit card.

 

[Jonathan M]

I suppose the decent thing to do would be to take the clip down. Mikey says he is happy with their response, and in the circumstances I would be too.

I agree though that the event shouldn't have happened in the first place, but as the company have responsed appropriately then it is time to move on with it.

As the company are aware of the YouTube clip, I'd be inclined to write to them acknowledging their response and actions, and give them a date that the clip is to be removed by. I would also encourage them to read the posts on the clip from an individual alledging to know the driver and work for the company - they are hardly written in a "corporate" tone, and who ever Toxic834 is at Robinsons Intl has probably done them more harm in hi9s responses than the original incident!

 

[Absinthe Minded]

This happens all the time in the press. I dont see how one video could possibly damage an entire company. The BBC and Daily Mail havent destroyed the NHS yet with their recent reports on failings.

I'm not saying it will damage the entire company, but I don't think the owners deserve the negative press - they've acted responsibly with respect to bellend's behaviour.

I would also add that I doubt very much if the guy is actually sorry. He's prolly had a slap on the wrist and has shuffled his shoes and looked at his feet a little, stuck his bottom lip out and said "sorry boss". If he was that way inclined he would have acted so on the day instead of being a bellend.

Couldn't agree more - I'm sure you're right, but I bet the owners are sorry - hence their response to BM.

My response would be keep the video uploaded, but blank out the guys face, and add some text in the description and video to update on the progress since.

I'd do it the other way around - keep bellend's identity known and blank out the company info.

The important thing is that we both agree that bellend is indeed, a bellend.

 

[downfader]

The important thing is that we both agree that bellend is indeed, a bellend.

Indeed!

 

[PBancroft]

I see your point but there was no harm done and leaving it up only just harms the reputation of the guys that own the company. Sure, the staff actions are the company's responsibility and for all we know they (the owners), might even be cyclists themselves!

Sounds like they've handed out a good bollocking to the driver and that's all we can ask of them. Also, other drivers there will be aware that the owners won't tolerate this type of thing so I don't see how further harm to company reputation is justified.

I disagree that leaving it up harms the reputation of the company. If anyone harmed the reputation of the business it was the driver who behaved that way in the first place. Adding the apology prominently makes the point clear it was the individual, not the company who was at fault.

 

[Lurker]

I disagree that leaving it up harms the reputation of the company. If anyone harmed the reputation of the business it was the driver who behaved that way in the first place. Adding the apology prominently makes the point clear it was the individual, not the company who was at fault.

Agreed.

Use of video in this way also illustrates the reality of poor driver behaviour and, more positively, the power of campaigning.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

If I ran that company I wouldn't be too worried. The youtube video is never going to be seen by the world, certainly, if I ran that company my customers would not be searching my company name on youtube.

Now, if a customer was to find that video it may turn some people away, but the vast majority of 'my' customers would be motorists who wouldn't see anything wrong with the video...other than from the cyclist.

Now, if the video said "the company have resolved this and improved their cycle awareness training" or similar, then as a cyclist, even if I saw that video I would probably use them. Why? Because the next lot probably are just as bad.

Even now, I know of the video, but if I was to move house I wouldn't take the time out to avoid that company. Yes. I would avoid using them if it happened to me (hence I wouldn't use Anglian Buses), but to anyone else it doesn't really matter.

Every day, in the news companies get a bad reputation yet continue to make billions of pounds a year.

At the moment 'everyone' hates banks....yet I still paid for my shopping on my bank's credit/debit card.

All of that is just what you think. Lots of other people could well feel differently - I know I would.

The last point isn't a good comparison; giving up using a bank is a much more time consuming and complicated matter compared to choosing a removals firm.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

I disagree that leaving it up harms the reputation of the company. If anyone harmed the reputation of the business it was the driver who behaved that way in the first place. Adding the apology prominently makes the point clear it was the individual, not the company who was at fault.

Many people will see the driver as representative of the company.

 

[chap]

Keep it on YouTube

I would keep it up there, taking it down is tantamount to covering up history.

If it is their reputation they are concerned about then they should appreciate that fact that you should post their reply (and your opinion on the matter - which is positive) on YouTube. That means that others will be inspired to also contribute, should similar incidents with the company take place in the future.

 

[PBancroft]

Many people will see the driver as representative of the company.

He is a representative of the company, and should behave as such. The apology, if posted and if as Mikey describes (not seen the wording, so can't know really) would make it clear that the company doesn't approve of his behaviour.

Honestly, its the individual which comes off worst in this (and rightly so), not the name on the van.

 

[Origamist]

Agreed.

Use of video in this way also illustrates the reality of poor driver behaviour and, more positively, the power of campaigning.

This is the most compelling reason to keep it up. I'd also add given the risk HGVs pose to cyclists this vid is an important reminder of the hazards they pose (and by extension, it's not always cyclists whizzing up the left of HGVs that is the problem).

On reflection, I think I would leave it on YouTube, but perhaps with a re-edit. I might also take the company name out of the vid title, but maintain the references to the firm's name in the comments section and include more details re: the apology from the company.

This approach takes into account the bad driving and the apology, but does not excuse the driver's behaviour by erasing the footage.