A blog on issues affecting Australia's newsagents, media and small business generally. More ...

Sunday newsagency management tip: stand up for yourself

Every day I hear stories from newsagents about them being told what to do in their business by people outside their business. They are usually being told to do something they do not agree with, do not want to do or will not improve the financial return they achieve from their business.

Landlords, suppliers, advisors and employees often tell newsagents what to do in their businesses.

Historically, newsagents have been servants to publishers, as agents. Publishers were often brutal in enforcing their rules and demands. That continued as agents for lottery organisations (in most states but not all) with some representatives being brutal today in pushing newsagents to do what they want. In the magazine space, too, there are some supplier representatives who demand things of newsagents without a thought for the commercial value for newsagents.

It’s 2014 people.

Unless you have a contract that explicitly stipulates that you must do what supplier X demands, only accede to their demands if you agree and if you think it will put your business in a better petition.

Own your decisions.

There is no value in doing something you don’t agree with only because you are pressured. There is no commercial benefit from doing something, it failing and you complaining about it later.

It’s your business and your money at risk.

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Management tip

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