Mind Changing Experiences:

We talk all the time about changing minds. We have our mind set in one direction, some operation is performed, and – lo and behold - our mind is now set in another direction. So many aspects of our lives are orientated towards changing our mind. John Bates, David Howe and their cohorts in their well documented campaign changed peoples’ minds against GMV and in so doing led to the destruction of GMV in Ireland.

GMV had undertaken a large recruitment drive in March and April 2005 over 30 new staff joined the company. A lot of time and energy was expended on recruiting, training and integrating these new “staffs” into GMV. GMV was on the cusp of commercial launch and service delivery. A new office was opened to deal with the additional staff, additional resources were procured and all these were paid for cash with up front. GMV was on a roll, ready for service delivery and product launch. A new marketing department was formed to help market and image the products being offered, with a rapid cash burn. The focus was on growth, putting the resources in place to hit the ground running.

As a company delivering service on mobile phone this technology was not taught in college and the new staff had to be trained to understand the service and the ability to adapt the service for particular client needs. As GMV expanded it soon became evident that productivity was not increasing, it was necessary to weed out those who did not perform or could not perform. This led to the dismissal of eight trainees, who were incapable even after extensive training of completing simple tasks given to them by their managers.

They were not capable for the positions, they had been informed on a regular basis that improvements were required. These trainees were very much disgruntled, the opportunity for which that had had longed for was taken from them. How could they seek their retribution? They wrote to the Taoiseach and other Politicians 5 days before they were due to get paid. Some of these former trainees only two days since they were let go. It was never a question of Money not being paid that would come for other employees once they had destroyed the Supply Side of the Business through the Media and the Extremist Politicians who were seeking more biased labour laws and stronger regulation and legislative enforcement, all at GMV’s expense.

Under the guidance of John Bates and David Howe, (in retrospect, a disgruntled employee who was let go when his contract expired in early March 2005), these individuals sought to destroy GMV and make wild and unsubstantiated claims about GMV and its work practices.

John Bates was the catalyst for the torrent of abuse and hatred that GMV suffered. If GMV was such a bad place to work, why had so many people endured it? In April and May 2005, GMV employed 70 to 80 Staff. Ireland has the lowest unemployment rate in Europe and having hi-tech knowledge and experience there are a multitude of opportunities readily available. Why stay in a place you do not like? Why not complain to management? Why not discreetly contact the government bodies and get the alleged problems corrected?

Well with the torrent of abuse that Bates & Howe had framed, and the media and Marxist politicians in toe they set their hatred campaign in motion. Some 48 hours after Bates was suspended pending an investigation, The Village Magazine printed a front page exclusive article on GMV. The following morning, Saturday 11th June 2005, a very biased and uninformed article appeared in the tabloid, the Irish Daily Star. Less than 72 Hours after Bates suspension, a GMV Representative received a call from Vivian Traynor of RTE 6 one news. Vivian advised that a most unusual Press Conference was organised at 2pm, Buswells Hotel today, Saturday 11th June 2005. The Press Conference included Counsillor Aodhan O’Riordan, Finian McGrath TD, John Bates, and David Howe, Deputy Higgins sent his apologies. After the Press Conference Finian McGrath TD believed these liars and made a most libelous press statement on the newswire against GMV without having the common decency of meeting with GMV.

Deputy McGrath met with representative of GMV, at 10.30am on Tuesday 14th June 2005. Deputy McGrath said “He did not know who to believe” and he specifically asked was this “Political”. With True Political Ethics, that he obviously holds, prior to meeting with GMV Deputy McGrath and Deputy Higgins had already requested written replies from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment concerning GMV and State Grants. And has sought to address Dáil Eireann with a Section 31 Adjournment debate request an immediate investigation in the affairs of GMV. Despite repeated, approx. 4, requests to meet with Deputy Joe Higgins, Deputy Higgins choose to ignore GMV Representatives.

Independent Deputies Finian McGrath TD and Joe Higgins TD were intent on seized the opportunity to questions whether GMV was getting State Assistance and therefore sought replies to 3 written questions in Dáil Eireann.

Two days later, Finian McGrath’s Adjournment debate on the 16th June was a full week before any written complaints were signed by any complainants let alone sent to the Labour Relations Commission and some two weeks after Deputy McGrath’s original statement. To rally the troops, John Bates had organised to meet with former employees at Trinity College Gates on Thursday 23rd June to collate the information for Mary Harney’s investigation. This was 15 days since he started his nasty campaign and his attempt to persuade other into his ultimate quest: the destruction of GMV.

Suppliers, Clients and potential Investors were contacted by these destroyers, Suppliers arrived at the building trying to extort money from GMV or they would go to the Press; there was an untenable air of hostility to GMV. A particular recruitment agency went to the same Media and alleged suing GMV; this was always untrue further added to the hostility for GMV. The Car Hire Company became hostile after receiving numerous calls and the landlord illegally ordered employees from the building and has since locked GMV from his premises. The landlord was making unreasonable demands for re-entry to the building and spoke with other suppliers which did not help the situation adding to the hostility and hatred that GMV had to endure.

With all these forces in play it is easy to see how people changed their minds against GMV. Fortunately the Truth eventually comes out and the individuals concerned must now be brought to account for their actions.