I bang on here about the tsunami facing newsagents – disruption due to technology, waning publisher interest and an unfair magazine supply model. I complain about big picture and macro issues almost every day. I criticise newsagents and their suppliers. While I try and present information in a balanced way, I am, naturally, going to be biased toward newsagents.
Despite what I write here through this blog, I am an optimistic newsagent. I feel good about the future. My future and the future of the channel. While I have no doubt there will be significant consolidation very soon, the channel will survive and, indeed grow in some areas. We are entering an era where entrepreneurial newsagents will lead.
My optimism is best illustrated by new investments I am contemplating – a new newsagency in a greenfield location, a second specialist card and gift shop under the new banner group I am involved with – the first of the stores opening next month in there centre where my newsagency is located – three additional positions for the newsagency development and support teams in my software company.
Others are investing too. New people are buying newsagencies and some existing newsagents are reinventing their businesses. The key is the control they exert over their businesses.
Optimism flows from business decisions which have their foundation in research and good business data. It relies on business owners taking control of their businesses and standing up to unfair and unconscionable practices.
While I’ll continue to draw attention here to suppliers who treat newsagents poorly, I will also be a happy newsagent because, overall, things are good. Sure they would be better if 200 to 300 magazine titles died or if Australia Post stopped trying to take cash from my pocket. But I can deal with these challenges through this place and through lobbying elsewhere.
The key to my optimism is the knowledge that my business is what I and my team make of it. Hence my use of this place to lobby for a better deal and as therapy. I always feel better after a good blog.
Thanks for reading.
Hi Mark,
I read your blogs with interest, and fully agree that mumbling to your self in the corner will not get the word out.
I am glad you feel good when you blog, as there have been days where I have worried about your blood pressure, and that it was all getting you down a bit. I mean this sincerely. I, as a small business owner that runs a licensed post office, do care about other small business owners.
I do believe that you are right that in the future there may have to be more effort in the business building by newsagents. In the older days it was a business that people bought, sometimes if they came into money, and they just spent all day working it, and it made consistent returns. Those days are changing for many businesses. Just like the days of working one job for a lifetime seem to be disappearing too.
Anyhow, thanks for setting up this site and sharing things with us.
Mark- I also like your blog, its cheaper than a councillor too!!
There is a saying where “you say what we are all thinking”. You can see by the stats that visit your site that people are interested in what you have to say & share. Look forward to reading more.
Even though I do rant here, once I click POST it’s back to moving forward with business. The only lingering stress, if I could call it that, is to do with the newsagents who do not understand the changes going on around them, the people who will scream the loudest when they see that their business model is no longer relevant. Mark
G’day Mark,
I too find blogging to be a tremendous source of personal therapy! Keep blogging, mate — you are a great read!
And when I get some ‘i blog and i vote’ bumper stickers made up i’ll send some over [grin]
Lee
Optimism flows from business decisions which have their foundation in research and good business data. If you are interested in good and smart business I have a suggestion to make Do look up Online Shopping