If you don't take the buyout, you'll have to attend more meetings with Tom
The Enquirer tried to calm the newsroom by holding a series of meetings, to talk about what happens after the buyouts. Instead, boss Tom Callinan, in his inimitable way, screwed up the message and had to issue a clarification.
From: Callinan, TomHow ridiculous. Callinan has pulled this stunt before, calling meetings and pretending that he values your input. The only thing this latest episode did was drive people to take the buyout.
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:40 PM
To: CIN-News Users
Subject: Training and new skills
In our conversations about life after the buyouts we have been talking a lot about the future need for diversifying our staff's skills for flexibility and collaboration in a tighter world.….some have misinterpreted that as a call for everyone to learn html, Excel and high-end Avid video … like by Friday or else.
I do not mean to send that message.
What I am trying to say that it will be helpful for our excellent copy editors to know a bit about basic design…our best designers to be able to pitch in on basic copy editing ….bureau reporters able to take a point and shoot to a remote assignment for a head shot … experienced reporters able to fill in for desk editors in emergencies (with differential of course) all to get more involved in basic understanding of linking and imbedding online and in blogs. That type of thing.
We will be assessing our current training and surveying the staff on what you all want and need. And I am hearing that we need to provide an array of training environments for a wide variety of learning styles -- from wikipedias and digital tutorials to group sessions and intense, personal hands-on experiences.
Meanwhile, here's something that Chris has been doing in an informal manner….and to be frank the attendance has been disappointing.
Please consider stopping by.
**** MINI ENQ A: ONLINE and YOU
Every Tuesday 10:30-11 a.m. and Thursday 4:30-5 p.m.
Not sure how to create a message thread on the new Cincinnati.Com? Do you have no clue what RSS is, or why you need it? A new weekly, informal, quick Q-and-A chat session may be just the help you need. Starting next Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon – and running for as long as we want – we'll be gathering in the 19th floor conference room at Elm to go over stuff like this. No pressure, no requirement to attend, no sign-up sheets, probably no food – just the opportunity to whittle away at the nagging stuff that might be keeping us from doing our best.****
And thanks to all for patience, understanding and participation in the discussions we've been having in small group sessions on Elm, Kentucky, Blue Ash, and Butler-Warren … day and night-side.
You are being listened to. I want all to help guide me in making the difficult decisions about how The Enquirer will manage any re-assigning and restructuring that may be needed in the coming months.
TC
posted by Newsache at 8:41 PM
4 Comments:
TC's use of em dashes and ellipses is abhorrent and distracting, even if he did fire off that email.
Quid pro quo. Wonder when the last time was that Callinan rolled up his sleeves to help out on the copy desk? Designed a page in the pagination system? Posted a story online? Built a photo gallery? Wrote a news brief? Or whipped out his point-and-shoot?
When was the last time Callinan read the whole newspaper?? I have never worked for anyone in Gannett -- the land of unplugged managers -- who is less in touch with employees or the actual content of the newspaper than Callinan.
He may read the occasional big project, but as far as I can tell he skims the front section and sports and that's it. Most days, he has no idea what's in the local, business or features sections.
What do you mean Tom doesn't know what's in the paper. Cmon, usually the people next to him at the bar fill him in after he gets there at 5 p.m.
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