Author: Mark Fletcher

An election is under way for the NSW Director of the ANF following the tie of six votes all from the last election a month ago.  I have spoken with Stuart Kilborn, the candidate running against incumbent Brenton Brown.  I like what Stuart has to say and that he is not tained by four years of failure as Brenton is.  While I have grave doubts about the relevance or effectiveness of the ANF, current members in NSW ought to vote.  Click here to see a copy os Stuart’s candidate statement.

Stuart has not sought my endorsement nor asked for coverage here. I am giving it because of the failure of the ANF to adequately represent newsagents under the watch of the current NSW Director and because the organisation desperately needs new blood.

While on the ANF election, it has been put to me that during the vote last month the organisation had one of its staff contacting members seeking votes for the incumbent NSW Director.  I don’t know if this is true.  Maybe NSW newsagents could advise if they were contacted.

Further to my post Monday calling for sales data for November 2008 and 2007, I have received responses from ninety three newsagents.  I’d like to close this off tomorrow so if you are able to participate please send your sales figures by lunchtime.

Analysis of the sales data will provide a health check for our channel.  My analysis will focus primarily on Cards, Magazines, Stationer and Newspapers.  I will also look at Diaries, calendars, Ink and Confectionery but not is as much detail given the differences in newsagencies for these categories.

While the analysis looks set to reveal some concerning indications, it is better that we are aware of our individual and network wide performance year on year so that we can adjust our businesses accordingly.

Click here to see a copy of the letter sent to Victorian Newsagents on Monday announcing The Futures Project, the new business management and marketing group established by VANA. As I blogged last week, this group is not the work an association should engage in, especially not VANA when their record on member representation has not been good.

The Futures Project cuts across what some marketing groups already do. It also cuts across some of what newsagent GNS does for newsagents. Curiously, VANA has developed this new commercial activity without involving either group.

The then VANA Chairman, CEO and another Director presented this project to the ANF six months ago. My understanding is that the ANF passed on supporting the project.

I approached the VANA CEO when I heard about this project two months ago. I expressed concerns that VANA was ignoring association work in pursuit of commercial activity. He assured me it was not what I thought. The announcement this week suggests otherwise. For the record, I note that I have had no other discussion with VANA about the project nor have I been I invited to any such discussion by VANA.

Newsagent Associations have an appalling track record on commercial activity. They would we well advised to focus on association services.

While we are not fans of spinners, two of our team at Forest Hill could not pass up this stand which they found at a dumpster. The stand is in excellent condition. It helps us resolve a Christmas space issue and provides welcome flexibility.  The deep shelves allow us to efficiently display a range of items we want to promote away from our traditional gift display. 

Dumpster diving can be rewarding – it’s certainly good for the environment.