Further to my post about VANA starting a new marketing group for newsagents, VANA has two Newspower shares. This makes their move to create competition for the newsagents owned Newspower even more curious. On a personal note, VANA has let me know how they feel by removing me from their Christmas party list. It is childish behaviour which started VANA down this read years ago in a dispute with GNS.
Does any of VANA’s directors’ decisions and behaviour create unconstitutional conduct? If so could disgruntled members launch any legal action against VANA and it’s directors if they believed they were being differentially treated or that the directors breached their duties as directors to them as members?…An interesting thought
What happened to David’s undertaking that things will change, I am not sure of what happened on the 11/11/08. I am now convinced Associations are irrelevant, the long drawn out issues that affects newsagents are not being addressed, therefore Newsagents are now making trailblazing decisions to ensure profitability, diversity and longevity.
You do not need Associations, they are holding Newsagents back!
One National Body thats it.
While I am no lawyer, I would think that a secret new business established for the benefit for a select group of Victorian newsagents is outside the charter if not the spirit of VANA. Mark
I too have heard the rumours about the proposed marketing group and am not at all pleased that $200,00.00 of members money is to be spent on the establishment of another marketing group. As was discussed at the meeting on the 11/11/08 what VANA needs in order to be able to function as our representative body, as is it’s charter, is to engage professional negotiators to achieve a result in all the problems that face Newsagents when dealing with our “industry partners”. The issues which we all face that need to be resolved include those that were listed at the meeting such as, over supply and unfair delivery fees. There were 9 issues tabled at the meeting and the majority of them were nuts and bolts issues such as these, not issues surrounding new marketing arms. The issues listed were the result of lists submitted by the Newsagents. Are they ever going to stop ignoring their members wishes? It was stated after the meeting, by the now Chairman of the board, that we would not be able to hire professional negotiators because there was not enough money available and now we find that $200,00.00 has been allocated to his pet project!
Tattersall’s not even advising Vana, let alone discussing their new relationship with 7 Eleven is a perfect example of how truly ineffectual VANA has become. By their own admission they cannot advise us to take any action against any of our suppliers due to ACCC restrictions. Professional negotiators who’s only charter is to negotiate on our behalf seems the only sensible solution.
VANA and the ANF are both compromised by accepting financial assistance from the industry partners with whom they are supposed to be negotiating the issues as previously mentioned.
Under the current circumstances I can only agree with Derek – we don’t need associations that are holding us back.
We should not have to take these issues into our own hands, we should be able to concentrate on our businesses and have the confidence that all the inequities that surround us at present will be adequately addresses by our associations.
Wow, what a week!
Its hard to disagree with any of the postings. My only contribution will be to urge all newsagents to seriously look at joining disciplined marketing groups that can help take their businesses to the next level.
Tattersalls, shame on you, for not even discussing these strategic issues with our industry bodies. Partners! I think not. More like the bullies we have always known them to be.
BDM’s castigating us for a drop in sales, when in fact their own CEO confirms the drop in sales due to Intralot. So why the heavy handedness? Sounds like petty power plays.
Surley our efforts over many years, and capital input over many years to develop strong Tatts sales is worth some loyalty?
As for VANA, the board better not pursue one mans desire, if it wants to remain in office longer than one year!
Our competitors must enjoy watching us crumble, and our suppliers must also rub their hands in glee when they see a disorganised, disunited group.
The only way out and up is for newsagents to join disciplined groups so that we will be in a position to exert real power at the negotiating table.