Australian Newsagency Blog

For transparency, I post below a copy of an announcement today about our new shareholding in Access International, the company behind the Aussie Phonecard.  I have been impressed with Aussie for some time - the 30% commission it pays newsagents, the quality of call on the cards and the real value to consumers.  It’s not […]

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January-May at Forest Hill looks good compared to January-May 2007. Number of sales is up 4%; Average sale value is up 16% - as a result of selling more items and some for a better price. We focus on traffic, items and margin - nothing smart in that.
While of magazines are up […]

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The extended Tower Systems family grew today with the arrival of Gypsy Rose May, a second child for Simon May, our Technical Services Manager, and his wife April. Gypsy is a welcome sister for James. Born this morning at 9:41am, Gypsy weighs 3.2Kg and measures 47cm. Gypsy and Mum are well. Dad is over […]

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Thomas T, Mary Perna, Mark Anonymous, Ron Johnson, and Robbie Mascon, a specific group of people who have posted comments here over the last two months, are all posting from the same IP address.  This suggests they are either living together, working at the same office or that they are all the same person.  The […]

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Our Sophie Randall cards and gifts business is expanding to a location on Toorak Road, Toorak.  Documents have been signed and the design of the new location is almost complete.  Our hope is for an opening some time in late June.
Sophie is the card and gift model we are developing through newsXpress as a complimentary […]

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Comments can be posted here again thanks to the efforts of our tech team. We had issues last week following a malicious attack against the server on which the blog is hosted.

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I apologise that posting comments is a challenge at the moment.  This is a consequence of the malicious attack on our server this week.  They should be back up Monday by the latest.

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This blog has had a rough couple of days. Our shared server has been under attack from external forces and this has knocked us offline.

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We’re looking for someone to join our Frankston team to help manage the magazine arrival work Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The total hours each week will be around twenty.  I you know someone who is reliable and looking for a long term (i.e. more than two months!) role please have them email simonf@towersystems.com.au.
It is frustrating […]

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Tower Systems is hosting a  national series of face to face (free) newsagent user meetings starting this. We will demonstrate new features in the latest update of lour software, provide free training and answer technical questions.  Bookings are made by email: bookings@towersystems.com.au.

Hobart – Thursday, May 8 – 10am
Launceston – Friday, May […]

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I was in the kitchen at our newsXpress Forest Hill store yesterday for the first time in a while and admired the view through the window. Looking down on the water … mmm, very inviting. For a second or two I thought it was real. Behind the stuck on photo of […]

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My software company, Tower Systems, has two vacancies for new roles we have just created in our Melbourne office.  I am posting details here in case you know someone who may be interested.
IT support.  This is a demanding non-traditional Help Desk role.  In say non-traditional because the call variety is considerable.  We are looking for […]

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We are having a box of fruit delivered each Monday for our retail team. The cost is around $25 a week for a box of premium quality fruit. This promotes healthy eating and, demonstrates our commitment to the team.

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Placing the Underbelly book at the counter of our three newsagencies was a success, we sold out. This was on my mind this morning since my post here about us selling Underbelly is the fourth most viewed post on this blog in the last two months. The top three, in order, are: Customers […]

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Management at the Adelaide Advertiser, the SA arm of News Ltd, is playing favourite with newsagent software companies.  They are pushing one locally developed software system.  Even though Tower Systems (the company I own) has 120 newsagent users, Advertiser Newspapers refuses to include us in discussions on IT changes they want in their relationship with […]

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I have been fortunate to spend a few days in Tasmania, taking a break and enjoying the sights. The most amazing sight in the south east region is the view on top of Mount Wellington, way above Hobart. Not the view down over Hobart but the view at the back, across territory which […]

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Sundays and some Saturdays at Forest Hill, some retailers around us close early. Some ten minutes, others up to half an hour early. This sucks. We are at the end of the mall so people looking our way see these closed shops and because we are set back they don’t even walk […]

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We’re looking for someone with newsagency for our Frankston location. The casual position will have between 15 and 20 hours a week. For details please email mark@towersystems.com.au.

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Anyone wanting to be part of the Tower Systems 2008 AFL tipping competition (with CASH prizes) will need to register by the close of business Thursday. It’s free.

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Hey, do I get extra pay for February 29 since this year has 366 days and my pay is for 365 days.  That’s what Ben Fielding wanted to know at our Forest Hill store.  It’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all week.  not that I should laugh at his expense.  But, well, I am.  Even […]

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I have made a decision to put our newsagency at Forest Hill, newsXpress Forest Hill, on the market.  I have owned this business for twelve years and feel that it is time to pass this business to others to take it on the next part of its journey.  It’s in healthy shape.
 
I purchased Forest Hill […]

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I’ve been in Bali for the last 24 hours and have had an opportunity to see some retail.ÂThere is nothing like travel to provide some perspective of challenges and opportunities back home. It’s a privilege to get away sometimes…but always good to get back.,

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I am surprised to see News to Business paying Google for their ad to come up people search for newsagency blog when using the search engine. At first, I thought they were paying for the keyword newsagency.  However, after 30 or so clicks, I am certain they are paying for newsagency blog. I […]

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As you can see from the formatting, we’re still dealing with the rapid migration from Movable Type to WordPress for managing content.  We have a new design which should be live Monday.  This will make posts easier to read.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

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In addition to the free magazine management training event I blogged about earlier, Tower Systems has announced its first online user meeting.  This free forum connects newsagents using the Tower software along with some experts from within Tower.  Most of the meeting will be spent answering user queries - newsagents learn well from listening to […]

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