You’ve probably heard the very popular telecommunication commercial “it’s the network”! The phrase embodies a feeling of superiority and excellent service with the network for all your cellular applications.
However when the phrase “it’s the network” is used at local radio affiliates, across the country, it takes on a whole different meaning. Generally assigning blame for something that went wrong with their programming, technical issues or sales challenges down to even the basic “I can’t ever get the request line”!?!
Both program providers and it’s cornucopia of clients have probably said in unison “can you hear me now” since corrective changes in this marriage must often times seem almost non-existent. And they tell each other “you’re not doing it right” the scary part of this statement is that there is truth from both points of view. The client believes they’ve done what was required to be successful with the national program provider and as does the network for its clientele. This is why some stations sound so natural with the network audio feed while to this day other struggle. “They just don’t get it” and once again both are right! The best example I can give is communicating in American English to someone who only understands the Queen’s English. You use the same words but some take on different meanings because of the culture. You both think you understand each other until what you’ve discussed has to be executed. Here’s a tip, simplify the operations manual to just bullet points, add a demo of stations who execute the format well with contact numbers for a small fee if need be or a regional engineers hotline who understand what you require to help those new or old affiliates whose struggling.
History really does repeat itself in this case. Network radio as we know it today began in the middle 80’s with the network radio pioneer John Tyler’s Satellite Music Network. SMN would send its engineer Carlos Hurd to set up and consult its network affiliate base; he was almost always on the road. Customer service was important since it was a new technology and the perception was to make the listener believe this better product came from their hometown. As the Network business grew with more competitors, the cost of doing business did too. Having a quality control guy roaming from affiliate to affiliate could no longer be justified. There lies the answer to many of the issues in this occasionally toxic relationship.
Plus in the late 90’s when a handful of radio companies grew at an alarming rate, the network program providers feared for the worst. Their effectiveness on paper appeared to be seriously compromised since that “handful” gobbled up many of their clients. In other words, the Wal-Mart business model came to radio. Mom and Pop along with some cousins and uncles were suddenly out of business, so the question became can we compete if “they” owned all the stations? At the time I was a junior executive with ABC and my answer was “Yes”! One day the balloon payment would be due and the “handful” will need a friend to help them with the enormous programming and personnel cost of this venture. Few saw the opportunity since the problem appeared so enormous and hopeless, after all what could this kid new to the table really know about this dilemma?
Under the current economic crisis the “network” has become like big government in today’s health care debate. But this time the Internet is the lobbyist and new technologies is the big money behind this effort to keep broadcasters in a cost per point quandary.
In the final analyst radio is using the survival tactics of the airline industry. Cutbacks on staff, contests, workshops, sponsored sales packages for clients and website options meantime listeners are moving to a variety of website options for a better deal. “Can you hear me now?”
Who would you rather do business with a company who offers new ideas and services for an additional fee or one who decides to charge you for services you once gave freely for years?
I hope you noticed the intentional telecommunication approach of innovation in the marketplace to enhance their bottom line. Their phone service, cable TV, high speed internet, your blackberry or iphone works better when you use our 4G system of highly integrated maps and networks. They are the now network because their products boost their profits. Innovation!
However where is the innovation with the airline industry, for luggage you pay, for the in-flight meal you pay, for pillow and blanket you pay. You pay for everything you once got for free. Now which one offers the customer a better deal? “Can you hear me now?”
In just a few weeks we’ll sing that line from the New Year’s song - ”may old acquaintance be forgot”. Upgrade your radio business model or you will miss the opportunities of the new day. The old adage; the world is your oyster has become a reality. Unlearn what you have learned; create something that will make people want to tell your story for you!
The global marketplace will make you restructure, rethink, reinvent the way you do business. Here are some more ideas along that line:
1. Bring back the client sales, marketing and programming workshops. Use Skype teleconferencing to bring affiliates together for ways to help their product. If security is a concern, publicize it! Tell the industry what you’re doing for your clients, since almost everything on the internet is free anyway.
2. Social Networking is huge! Facebook has over 300 million users, and Twitter has become one of the fasting growing sites. How can you use these vehicles or create your own social site with your network of affiliates? Take note: corporations have begun to jump on the social network bandwagon. By the way in a recent study from Rutgers University one out of every five twitter users are “informers”, posting information such as links to news articles. The remaining 80%? They are “meformers” posting updates mainly about themselves.
3. Celebrities are the leading many of their fans to these websites for social interaction. Don’t miss the power of your air-staff. Again most miss this opportunity to cash in on their intellectual capital for ideas and impact.
4. Synergy! If the telecommunications guys can offer bundles, why can’t you?
5. How prepared are you when the internet can be heard in your car? Just in case you haven’t heard it’s already on your mobile phone with digital quality! Go to http://www.broadcastevangelist.com/ if you “can hear me now” for more ideas.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
IF I’M AMOUG THE WINNERS WHY DO I FEEL LIKE WHINNING
It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Dickens was right with all the cutbacks, layoffs, downsizing in the past 360 days it has created a worker’s sub-class! It’s the tale of two cities, those who live in the workplace and those who are trying to find a new place to work.
Even if you are among the survivors of all the recent economic downturns. The atmosphere of truly being grateful is not genuine or maybe heartfelt is a better term. For most it’s more work, less pay and in some cases reduced vacation time which has made this a tale of an endless workweek. The research from the National Association of the Self Employed has proven people tend to perform poorly when overworked, and their personal and professional relationships can deteriorate. So the strategies management has put in place to keep the ship afloat could in the long run create an product the audience would view as inferior to what they’ve been used too. Then they search for other outlets to meet their entertainment needs leaving us with smaller audience shares and even smaller ad revenues. It is a vicious cycle and as you know times couldn’t be worst.
This isn’t a picnic for management they’ve taken measures to try and save jobs and keep the company in business. In spite of smaller budgets, greater pressure to generate more revenue, more meetings and more travel, so less time with the family again this weekend. And for the big broadcast companies another balloon payment and cash reserve quotas to meet along with rumors of the “b-word” bankruptcy.
If you’re working in the broadcast industry or any business now a days you can probably relate to what has been said so far. The purpose for this blog is to remind all who are involved “we are all in the same boat”. Argue the place in the boat if you like however on the Titanic first class and economy got the same view of the water.
Depending on who is talking management or workforce, the conversation is the same from both, “they” are always the problem and “I or me” isn’t given the tools or financial support to accomplish what “I’ve” been asked to do. Right!?!
Here’s a news flash the entire media industry is in crisis mode. Radio, Television and newspapers are trying to re-invent themselves to compete in the age of the internet. Yet in this hour of despair I still have hope and here’s why, I’m a student of the Japanese language and culture. The same Chinese symbol or Kanji used for “crisis” is the same one used for “opportunity”. These are the times that try men’s imaginations. It was during tough economic times when the solution for the dirty glass created the paper cup. Eureka!
May I make a suggestion, cash in on your “intellectual capital”! Mister Radio Station employer, when times get better and they will, could you give back or restore the pay reduction and vacation time to tenured employees. Make it a promise, put it in writing and post it in the break room. Mention it often during meetings because the goal is to get us back to making money. But do that on one condition, the workforce must work to make this goal happen and give ideas on how to streamline operations.
After all they do the work they know what it takes to get the job done. Solicit ideas and pay them for the ones you implement. Encourage your staff to not overlook something left undone because “it’s not my job”. Do it or call it to the attention of someone who can, no more of this it’s not my company talk anymore! However, the only way we as management and staff can reach this point of cooperation is when all are respected, valued and praised when a job is well done.
One more thing, give them a say on how to cut expenses in their departments, I’ll keep saying this until you get it, remember they do the work. And to be frank the morale issue which is the real villain during these worst of times will have gotten a must needed stimulus package.
According to my Funk & Wagnall’s standard desk dictionary; the definition for a “city” is “a place inhabited by a large permanent community, a municipality of the first class with definite boundaries and various legal powers”. To borrow a line from an old television program, there are 800 stories in the naked city which one will be yours?
It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Dickens was right with all the cutbacks, layoffs, downsizing in the past 360 days it has created a worker’s sub-class! It’s the tale of two cities, those who live in the workplace and those who are trying to find a new place to work.
Even if you are among the survivors of all the recent economic downturns. The atmosphere of truly being grateful is not genuine or maybe heartfelt is a better term. For most it’s more work, less pay and in some cases reduced vacation time which has made this a tale of an endless workweek. The research from the National Association of the Self Employed has proven people tend to perform poorly when overworked, and their personal and professional relationships can deteriorate. So the strategies management has put in place to keep the ship afloat could in the long run create an product the audience would view as inferior to what they’ve been used too. Then they search for other outlets to meet their entertainment needs leaving us with smaller audience shares and even smaller ad revenues. It is a vicious cycle and as you know times couldn’t be worst.
This isn’t a picnic for management they’ve taken measures to try and save jobs and keep the company in business. In spite of smaller budgets, greater pressure to generate more revenue, more meetings and more travel, so less time with the family again this weekend. And for the big broadcast companies another balloon payment and cash reserve quotas to meet along with rumors of the “b-word” bankruptcy.
If you’re working in the broadcast industry or any business now a days you can probably relate to what has been said so far. The purpose for this blog is to remind all who are involved “we are all in the same boat”. Argue the place in the boat if you like however on the Titanic first class and economy got the same view of the water.
Depending on who is talking management or workforce, the conversation is the same from both, “they” are always the problem and “I or me” isn’t given the tools or financial support to accomplish what “I’ve” been asked to do. Right!?!
Here’s a news flash the entire media industry is in crisis mode. Radio, Television and newspapers are trying to re-invent themselves to compete in the age of the internet. Yet in this hour of despair I still have hope and here’s why, I’m a student of the Japanese language and culture. The same Chinese symbol or Kanji used for “crisis” is the same one used for “opportunity”. These are the times that try men’s imaginations. It was during tough economic times when the solution for the dirty glass created the paper cup. Eureka!
May I make a suggestion, cash in on your “intellectual capital”! Mister Radio Station employer, when times get better and they will, could you give back or restore the pay reduction and vacation time to tenured employees. Make it a promise, put it in writing and post it in the break room. Mention it often during meetings because the goal is to get us back to making money. But do that on one condition, the workforce must work to make this goal happen and give ideas on how to streamline operations.
After all they do the work they know what it takes to get the job done. Solicit ideas and pay them for the ones you implement. Encourage your staff to not overlook something left undone because “it’s not my job”. Do it or call it to the attention of someone who can, no more of this it’s not my company talk anymore! However, the only way we as management and staff can reach this point of cooperation is when all are respected, valued and praised when a job is well done.
One more thing, give them a say on how to cut expenses in their departments, I’ll keep saying this until you get it, remember they do the work. And to be frank the morale issue which is the real villain during these worst of times will have gotten a must needed stimulus package.
According to my Funk & Wagnall’s standard desk dictionary; the definition for a “city” is “a place inhabited by a large permanent community, a municipality of the first class with definite boundaries and various legal powers”. To borrow a line from an old television program, there are 800 stories in the naked city which one will be yours?
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