A fellow newsagent is meeting with senior GNS management Monday next week following comments on a blog post here. I have opened this thread for others to comment about what they are looking for from GNS operationally and product-wise that this newsagent could raise in their meeting.
I am happy to receive private comments at mark@towersystems.com.au. I will forward all these to the newsagent who has arranged the meeting.
Alex Stewart, CEO of GNS, has been active commenting on posts and comments here in a stand out model of transparency in our channel. Unlike the ANF and others Alex does not lurk in the shadows or duck for cover on issues within his remit.
Hi,
GNS is going through a transitional period. You can not blame them for making changes. As the newsagency industry has a decline in the number of shops this means their overall market sprawl is declining as well. GNS are only trying to protect their business which means making changes. The main issue I have with GNS has been their lack of communication to agents concerning changes to the way they do business. This has improved in recent months but there is still a way to go in my opinion to win back some trust that was lost. Alex and the senior Execs have been very helpful and always have their door open for a chat, which is great compared to some suppliers or even Associations we know of!! I am prepared to go the extra mile to help GNS which means trying new ideas that they suggest as in my mind it is going to be a win win situation. Anyway, just my view.
There are complexities on all sides of the debates here – for newsagents, GNS and suppliers to GNS. We all have to do what is right for our shareholders first and foremost.
For transparency, this is what I would want GNS to do if I was still a shareholder:
I appreciate this list is radical. The challenges being faced by GNS and newsagents in the stationery space are generational. The response has to be radical.
Re point 1 that is fine for the eastern states Mark but I wouldn’t stay with GNS if they closed the WA warehouse. It would take over a week to receive an order….
Jon that’s what I say world’s best practice as that implies distribution as well. Look at Amazon – they can get product to me from the US into days for a reasonable price.
The reality is warehouses are expensive to run and sock. The fewer you have the more you can invest in them.