Author: Mark Fletcher

I resigned from VANA (the association representing Victorian newsagents) in the second week of February because of their misguided Futures Project.

I have not announced my resignation until now because the Board asked to meet with me to discuss my concerns with the Futures Project. I am not sure why they felt a need to talk to me when so many others had expressed concerns yet were not invited to a Board meeting. My meeting with the VANA Board took place two weeks ago and I’ve heard nothing since so I suspect I have not changed their plans.

The Futures Project is about getting newsagents to operate their back offices according to strict data and other rules on the belief that this will drive better business decisions.  While there is no doubt that good data is essential to good business decisions, this does not, of itself, drive good business decisions.  This is where the Futures Project is misguided and why it will fail.

I have other concerns about the Futures Project:

• Cost. This will cost each newsagent thousands of dollars a year with no guarantee of return. It will cost VANA hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am told they are contemplating borrowing this.
• Poor due diligence. There is no science behind the Futures Project, no research. It is being driven by one or two ill-prepared people and has got this far more because of ignorance and bluster rather than professional assessment.  Without wanting to disrespect the VANA Board, they do not have the knowledge or background to reasonably assess whether this project, as presented, is right for their membership.
• Newsagent outcomes. The goals of the project and the project plan as outlined to me do not match.  It will fail in its present form.  The consultant to the project is, in my view, the only winner.
• Not association work. The Futures Project is a commercial project. VANA should get their association offering right before they borrow on behalf of member newsagents to fund this folly.  Where were they on Alpha? What did they do about Bill Express?  Nothing.

So, I resigned from VANA. The $1,800 a year I will save will be better invested elsewhere in my business.

Sometime in the future, VANA members will realise that the Futures Project was a folly, just like the failed accreditation project which cost a ton of money and wasted years.

In resigning from VANA I also resigned from the ANF. The new CEO was keen to meet and talk when I was introduced to him twelve weeks ago and I’ve not heard from him since. While I was but one member, he asked for me to set aside half a day a week or so later.

Once the QNF/NANA secretariat model is released I will look at that with considerable interest. I like the idea of a lean non-commercially focused association.

Footnote: If I am wrong I will be waiting for the I Told You So card.

At a small business forum in Brisbane on Monday evening, Federal Small Business Minister Craig Emerson was asked about the looming reintroduction of penalty rates. After protesting at being ambushed by the question, he went on to demonstrate a good grasp of the issue but offered no comfort to the small business owners in attendance.

The Minister requested a full written submission from QNF on the issues and has undertaken to try to pursue the matter. This is a good outcome – if he honors his undertaking.

The changes to rates are a challenge for newsagents since around 75% of what we sell is at fixed price – meaning we have less capacity to manage our businesses to better cope with chunky penalty rates.

I am told that following the meeting there was discussion with the Minister about the status of the ANF in representing newsagents. Those participating made it clear that the ANF does not represent the majority of Queensland newsagents.

I am grateful to colleagues in Queensland for sharing information about this.