I have been contacted by several people saying that I am treating the ANF unfairly in relation to the moves by News Ltd in South Australia to cut revenue from newsagencies. Their message, curiously, has been the same – leave the ANF alone and let them resolve this.
My limited commentary about the ANF on this issue so far has been based on what the ANF has done and not done on this issue. I have seen their correspondence with South Australian newsagents. More words were spent talking up the News Ltd changes. They clearly had not thought through the implications of the changes until I blogged about them here on Tuesday morning. After reading that post, the ANF changed focus – probably realising that their original approach to the issue was flawed.
The best way for the ANF to stop me giving attention to poor leadership would be for them to stop delivering this. The issue in South Australia was (and may still be) an excellent opportunity for the “new” ANF to demonstrate an understanding of the complete newsagency business, provide fearless national leadership and deliver on the will of its members. Instead, it appears, for the moment, to have been blinded by bright lights pointed at it by a supplier.
Facing off with suppliers is a huge challenge for our newsagency industry associations. No, more than ever, newsagents need to know that their associations will put newsagents ahead of suppliers and the revenue they offer for conferences, awards and other association costs.
I do not have a political agenda here. While through my software company I directly serve in excess of 1,600 newsagents – 136 in South Australia, I care about all newsagents and have done so for 28 years.
The ANF is welcome to a right of reply to reach the 1,500 unique visitors who visit here each day – don;’t fear debate for its is from robust debate that leadership is tested and strengthened.