I watched Magda Szubanski on The Project on Network Ten last night and could not help but be moved by her coming out as gay, on national TV. Kudos and respect to Magda.
It got me thinking about the broader issue of marriage equality and the high profile campaign by the Get Up! organisation. Reports indicate that the push has the support of the majority of Australians.
Then I started to think about the marriage equality campaign in the context of our newsagency businesses. Where do we stand on these campaigns? Hang on, that’s too hard … to expect our newsagency channel to have a unified view. We’re a diverse bunch.
I then started to wonder not so much abut where we stand on a particular issue like marriage equality but how we would feel about being a place where opinions could be gathered, collated and noted.
What if in our businesses we have a facility where locals could vote on an issue or note a comment or connect with an issue in some way, an issue of the day or the week, an issue of community importance – local or national? Wouldn’t that facilitate the relevance of our businesses? Would’t that show our connection with issues others care about, regardless of where they stand? In think so!
I am not advocating that newsagents take a stand on an issue, rather we give the community to voice their opinion, in a respectful way. Sure there would need to be some moderation and control – but that would be okay given the traffic which could be generated. Traffic is vital to any retail business after all.
Just as The Project on Network Ten is offering a fresh approach to current affairs TV, newsagents could offer a place where locals could share opinions on a topic and where the channel could, somehow (IT maybe), gather those opinions and share them in a way which is meaningful for the greater community.
No major retailer competitor of newsagents would try this. We could be the channel of local voices and local opinions and through this demonstrate a commercially valuable relevance to our communities.
Thanks Magda Szubanski for being the catalyst for these thoughts.
FOOTNOTE: Some reading this will quite reasonably say that with social media people have a range of options for expressing their views. What I am thinking of is a simple way, in-store, of harvesting opinions and making a visit to your newsagency count for more than buying a card, a lottery ticket or a newspaper. It could reinforce our position as a community hub.
if you want to run a political campaign in your business ( yes it is political just like getup ) good luck to you. I for one do not engage in ANY political campaigns within my business. My own opinions are my own but there is no place for these in retail.
You also need to ask what are Magna’s motives for doing this? She looks like she will do anything to get back in the spotlight like a lot of the reality TV celebrities hasbeens lately. It’s seems odd that she has come out now just as her TV fat show is dying a death of low rating and she has hasn’t been in the mags for a while.
I may be cynical but you need to ask at what price fame.
Kudos Magda! Seems to me that her announcement coincides with the announcement of gay marriage bills being put before parliament. I think this was about her showing her support and encouraging others to show their support for the bills. I personally support the push for equality in rights (to marriage and more).
As for bringing this into our businesses, I’m not sure how you mean to do this, Mark. I have very lively discussions with my customers about a great many topics (which are not likely to occur in any of the majors) and that connects me with them personally, but I’m not sure that my personal opinions should be put in front of my business as a means to connect with the community. These are divisive issues and my business is more important than my personal opinions on social/other issues.
Social networking (using a business related online space) allows you to ask the question and open up the debate – for you and your customers to connect – but it’s still not the place to push personal opinions.
Check the way Grill’d Burgers have a simple system of ‘drop the token in a bottle’ to vote for your preferred local charity (winner gets a larger grant). It’s a good way to create engagement – newsagents could do something similar on local issues.
Lets just be newsagents and the best newsagents we can be
Just putting it out there as an idea. It seems to me that if we see ourselves as a community hub this could be a way to reinforce.
And Luke, nothing political in terms of commentary.
Ken – Yes, have seen it and love the idea.
The post has merit – I think most of us engage verbally with our customers mostly to express frustrtaion over an issue.
In the instance where Councils wont listen to a single voice about an issue that is contentious it maybe be achievable to address issues with many voices.
Another example in my demographic Julia is a hot topic. However it is usually a one on one conversation, I doubt I would formalise it at that level.
We have had success as a community in stopping the waste of 3 million dollars to widen a railway road crossing, commuter feedback campaign regarding improvements in security of carpark, so I can see advantages of local concerns and engagement with the local community & regular customers.
If we had real Journalism in Australia, we probably would not have to resort to such measures, the Councils, Government of the day, Corporations would be shamed and embarrassed into listening to communities concerns and address then properly and not dismiss them.
Mark, for starters why dont you produce a template to be sent to Julia Gillard & Mark Arbib addressing the dissapointment regarding Small Business issues and the lack of addressing of small business issues. Link it here so we can print it of read it and sign it and send it off to them. Imagine if everyone who visited your blog did this and then others entities did this, I am sure they would get the message loud and clear. That is an example of what the Newsagent / Retailer community can do together.
By the way good post.
I ran a tips jar on the last friday of the month (just started this year) its a similar idea but not as politically focused.
we have a jar with a pad and pen next to it and we ask customers not to leave a monetery tip, but a piece of wisdom…..
after the 1st time, we decided we needed to give people 24 hours notice. so for all the regulars on thursday we remind them that tip day is tomorrow and to think about what they will drop in.
we have about 15% of people who visit the store, drop something in…..
if you want to take a tip for the day, just drop a coin into the Rural fire service donation box.
here are a few examples pulled out at random:
“tomorrow is another day”
“never give a sucker an even break”
“sh?! splatters and eggs dont bounce”
“who is in charge?”
my reason for introducing this, is purely to engage with customers on topics other than political or weather.
The last thing I’d let myself in for when we work hard enough, thank-you-very-much, is repeated diatribes from the mainly ultra-conservative demographic we’re smack in the middle of. We cop enough of it in general, without adding ‘bloody poofs’ to the mix! Yes, that’s the language we cop.
Didn’t Magda come out in a mag some years ago? If doing it again is her way to push this agenda, then good on her 🙂
I’d be at my brother’s wedding in a flash.
I had one quite offensive male customer declaring at the top of his lungs, in a shop full of women that, “all that woman needs is a real man to straighten her out” etc. he went on quite a bit much to the dismay of other customers and staff. Eventually I told him that if he was a prime example of men, i couldn’t blame her for chosing women!
Vicki – Ouchhhhhhhh, however it is true in some cases, love to seen his expression after your quick witted reply!
have to say the whole topic is pretty much a non event for me, Really does not bother me either way. With politics and religion etc i change my views a hundred times a day depending on the type of customer im talking to. Last thing i need is a pointless argument in the shop or a stroppy customer because i dont share his views. I find it easier to agree with everybody, they get to have a whinge and leave the shop feeling like someone agrees with them. Might be shallow but really its about the whole visit to my store being a pleasant experience for the customer
Rick, have to agree .
My post is not so much about the topic per se but about being community connected and paces where people can register their views. Is that not obvious?
Love this post Mark. I often think about wether retailers should engage more in discussions such as that of marriage equality.
I see many retailers here take the view that they shouldn’t take a stand on particular issues. They fear it might alienate some of their customers. Might I put forward the argument that many of the things you already sell may alienate your customers. Some members of the community would be offended by FMH, Zoo, Picture and People. Others would not approve of bikini-clad women on the front of Women’s Health, Cosmo and Vogue. There are customers that may have died of shock had they wandered around and discovered some of our naughty Valentines Day gifts!
We all make a choice to promote certain values through our business. Why should we not do it more actively and overtly.
Ken, I like this kind of voting idea from Grill’d Burgers. I could see a concept from newsagents where large sign at the front of the store asked a question and below an entry box where customers could use their receipt (or a section on the bottom) to vote – like a localised galaxy poll. Change the question every 1 or 2 weeks and show the results of the previous poll.
I’ve actually been considering running an organ donation campaign this year. We’d put pamphlets in customer bags, on POS screens and the like. It might offend a few customers but it might change more than a few lives. I’d like to think it’s not always about the bottom line.
I agree Jarryd. It’s not about the issue, whatever issue, but about our offering the place for people to have a say and engage.
I think you’ve been watching too much TV.
The use of the term “marriage equality” is a masterstroke from those campaigning for gay marriage.
Those places around the globe that have legalised gay marriage are said to be enjoying a substantial economic boost as a result.
A number of gay wedding magazines are being produced. What if Australian newsagents were to start stocking these? What if we were to even dedicate a powerend to them?
What if sands or Hallmark were to start cranking out handmade cards with cardboard cutout gay couples on the cover, and these were to be found in each newsagent’s wedding card section?
I wouldn’t expect that these products would set any sales records, but what would they do for perceptions of my business? Local newsagents, commonly perceived to be behind the times, might instead be viewed as being ahead of the game.
Would also surely have an influence on this debate at a political level.
Oh, and the gays would love it!
What if newsagents were
Anybody given any thought as to how we are going to put MORE Wedding mags in a space that is already crowded……??????
Who cares……………………
It amazes me how many people can’t see the wood for the trees with this post. It’s not about gay marriage (even though that in itself is an important topic).
Mark just maybe it has something to do with the heading of the post probally should have had a different tittle
I get the Post Mark, i just dont know where we are going to put all these new mags that will come out (pardon the pun)….LOL!!!
Mark, my point was that we don’t need to ask questions. Our customers bring stuff up all the time. And they’re always right. Always. Woe betide anyone who suggests an alternative view!
LOL Allan.
I get the post Mark, but you are on thin ice if you as a retailer start bringing politics into your business not just Gay marriage but any form of political debate, it is not what we are here for.
I’m with y&G we agree with all our customers opinions, if a customer likes the herald over the Australian then they are right and then as soon as Herald reader walks in then the herald is the better paper. During an election we steer clear of agreeing or disagreeing with customer. Were do you draw the line Mark for/against abortion, for/against euthanasia, how about immigration, can you not see the can of worms?
People will not see this as a service they will see at as us pushing a point of view, when all they want to do is spend money.
I think some might be confused as to the idea Mark has floated. It is not about taking a political position – its about giving customers a way in which to can voice their own. My understanding is that that Mark was proposing that this could be done outside the more general chit chat and in a more visable and engaging way.
I agree with people who posted that they agree with their customers on a subject.
An escalation of a subject is called an issue, I am talking community based ideally. Success has been had through my business with customers community support without even going through official Political channels, it was Media based and direct communication by customers to the offending organisation.
Jarryd – I agree with your summarry.
Alan – I had a laugh at your humor.
Mark – I am actually serious though regarding sending the Federal Government 1 million letters from small business around australia. Now that is what we as a community (small business channel) should be doing.
In todays Telegraph, Westfield more or less told its shopping chain lease holder to stop complaining & threatening to leave if something is not done regarding RENT. Westfield said we have already plans to bring in other overseas chains if these threats are carried out. Now that is one example why a campaign should be started, The Corporations are walking over our Government & Small Business & while the Government is walking in & out of conciousness. Now that is political.
I recommend to newsagents the blog macrobusiness.com.au which now and again has interesting analysis of retail conditions. This week there has been some good stuff about banks and their profits.
Like “newsagents”, “small businesses” lack consolidated leadership, owing to their diversity. We actually have to be subversive Derek !
I do hope everyone here reading this is currently registered to vote, because we all need to turn up and do so soon,no matter what state you live in, we all have our say in due course.
H – fair comment, my own view is I do not want to wait that long until an election, I guess by being subversive we may get an undertaking from WHOEVER that Priority will be given to Small Business for assistance, encouragement and protection etc.
Apologies for digressing from original post.