Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday | May 23 | Your News & Comments
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61 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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Jim, why do you think the ring winners are "overpaid managers?" Do you know any of them? I won a ring this year and I'm not overpaid. I work my tail off and am proud of my accomplishments and of the accomplishments of many of the people who won. I fully understand that it was the people in my department who made it possible to win and I have let many of them know that. The fact is many of our employees are proud that I won as it reflects very positively on them.
ReplyDeleteI think the program is a good one and it helps with retention. Shouldn't Gannett be doing everything it can to keep good people? Our paper still has a pretty good recognition program for "rank and file" people throughout the building and in specific departments. If other papers have totally eliminated local recognition programs they should bring them back.
I'm sure those that love to gripe about the company will accuse me of being a corporate suck-up. I'm not that. What I am is a proud employee of Gannett who works at a good newspaper with excellent employees and a strong Publisher. I have no question Gannett is going to survive and I'm going to do everything I can to help them do that.
11:13 pm - You do sound like a good person and perhaps one of those rare people within this company who actually deserved AND received reconition for their efforts. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteDitto the things about your newspaper - although I suspect there may be more to you place that you see.
As an ex-Gannettoid with nothing bt total loathing for this company, I hope you quit as soon as possible and go somewhere else. You must be doing good things for your paper, and many of use who quit or were fired in the December Massacre HATE seeing anything positive going on with Gannett.
But anyway, good luck to you.... you most ceretainly will need it. I fear rocky times ahead for any Gannett paper with excellent employees and a strong publisher. Please don't tell gannettg anything about this... they will put a stop to it soon enough.
"Shouldn't Gannett be doing everything it can to keep good people?" Obviously, anyone with any sense would think that. But....
ReplyDeleteDo you not read this blog?? Do you live in a bubble? is your head so covered in fluff?
Gannett wants Robots. They get rid of all the 'good' people. Don't think for a millisecond that they Care =one= bit about you.
=They DON'T=
In times of trouble, business have to lay off, furlough, etc. That is not what I'm referring to.
I won't lament but.... wake up and read the news of you can't see it yourself!
I too believed very differently once upon a time. And, I even think that at one time Gannett was a company that had integrety.
Those day are long gone.
Sure hope you don't get canned too!
11:13
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great comment. It is quite refreshing given the usual tone of this blog.
Out of 40,000+ Gannett employees I certainly don't think, as 12:16 said, that you are "one of those rare people within this company who actually deserved AND received reconition for their efforts." I believe and know many Great Gannett employees. In fact, I think I am one myself and I have more that are part of my team.
The Fool ran an article the other day about three undervalued companies that are set for success in the coming few years. Here's a quote from that arrticle:
"The bad news is out. The credit rating has been downgraded to junk territory, the dividend has been cut, we know the industry has been in decline, [ad] revenues have been killed, the internet has stolen customers and the company took huge write-downs of goodwill in 2008. Everyone sees that.
With all that, this company is still profitable. Their debt structure is stable, competitors are teetering on the brink and cost reduction efforts are improving margins. As the recession ends and add revenues start returning, their profits will look very attractive. … Their TV stations have held up fine during the recession and they've done a good job developing their online business. Management has also prioritized debt retirement so don't expect the dividend to return, but as debt is reduced this stock will get noticed.
The upside here is that shares currently trade at just more than three times forward earnings. If management can successfully finagle its debt and ride out the recession, investors are looking at an insanely undervalued stock."
It takes a lot of solid employees AND leaders to position the company like that. I'm sure 11:13 is one of many out of the 40,000 or so out there that create this setting.
11:13 pm: I appreciate your thoughtful and eloquent defense of the President's Rings program. If more of the recipients are like you, all the better.
ReplyDeleteBut newspaper division chief Bob Dickey's association with the awards shreds any credibility the program might have. That is because many of us do not trust Dickey and his boss, CEO Craig Dubow, to be truthful. This stems directly from Dickey's gross mishandling of the initial Tucson Citizen shutdown announcement early this year, and his participation at company expense -- however briefly -- in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic golf tournament that followed.
Some of you will roll your eyes at this point. You will say the Hope tournament was no big deal -- that the fees paid by the company so Dickey could play were nominal, and that Dickey's reported reimbursement of those fees make the whole matter a non-issue.
Nothing could be further from the truth. At the annual meeting, I asked CEO Craig Dubow about Dickey and the tournament. Some Gannett Blog readers here have characterized Dubow's response as a "lie.'' I will not use so strong a word. However, to repeat: Dickey and Dubow have displayed an extraordinary lack of candor on the subject. This goes right to Dickey's credibility, and to anything with which he is associated -- including the President's Rings honors.
These rings may be gold -- but they're badly tarnished.
Jim, you should get over it.
ReplyDeleteRecognition actually means something for many people that do good work. Just because you have a thing for CD and Dickey doesn't mean you can get away with trashing all the good work other people in this company do and should be recognized for doing. There is no way any Gannett executive can diminish the good works others do by their association with awards.
I think you feel left out since you apparently never earned any recognition. That's too bad, especially if you deserved recognition you did not receive.
I don't really care what Gannett executives do and how it is paid for. The higher you go the more perks you receive. That's the way the world works. If you want to jump on executives for abusing perks just look to the financial industry.
When you mock recognition you mock every person that earned their little bit of recognition. You can't even pat the first commentor on the back without interjecting vitriol.
Just remember: when you lower yourself to mock the people doing good work to promote your own hate agenda you really belittle yourself in the end since the winners don't live by YOUR acknowledgement of THEIR achievements and the resulting recognition.
The only recognition that mattered to me came from readers in the communities I served. Over and over, I was humbled by their willingness to read my work, and perhaps take positive action as a result. That's not bullshit; that's the truth.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI'm not 11:13 or 8:49.....You should really listen for meaning from 8:49's comments. He/She has it exactly right as does 11:13...Your continued ``Godd point, but...(devalue, whine. point fingers) onlt relegates your blog to a charicature of any anti-corporate voice/voices who seem to want nothing but failure, demise or ridicule to anyone who dare post positively about their Gannet (i.e., work) environment.
You left, have wonderful talent and perspective but are simply not using it in a way that supports your stated mission for this blog....it is discussion about Gannett? Or is it only anti-Gannett, anti-anyone-who-dares-post-from-a-non-Kool-aid-perspective?
Corporate troll? No. Longtime journalist, blogger, non-executive who looks to find value in everyone and everything? I hope to be...sometimes I miss the mark.
But you have lost hundreds if not thousands of people really interested in your blog.
Your hits and stats may spike or remain the same, but all I see except for the two valuable posts here today is whinning, entitled anti-anyone-who-is-not-in-that-boat with us posts.
Look around you people.....If Gannett sucks so bad, leave. You think it's REALLY that much different anywhere else, go find out. I have. And finally, get wrapped up in your own live and find your positive spirit..it will lift you higher than negativity and hate will in bouds.....
Some thoughts:
ReplyDelete- If there were still a news summary, I would not have to come here to find out who won rings. Why can't we bring back the news summary? Seems to be a basic need.
- We all keep coming back here because it is a habit. For me, it was a several-times-a-day habit. Those are hard to break. But we find nothing, so we will all eventually get 'clean' from this addiction.
- There will be a setback after the looming round of layoffs. But then we'll leave again.
- By Sept. 1, Jim should give the keys to the blog to an angry, laid-off New Jersey ex-GCIer. Then Jim can concentrate on Ibiza, and corporate can find something new to obsess over. A new business plan, perhaps?
- If this site is so populated by writers and editors, how scary is it that no one can SPELL?
- Hate destroys the hater. Move on and be well.
- Now I am going to return to enjoying my furlough. Thanks for listening!
Thank you, 9:19 am. I believe you mean well.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is this: My perspective and views on Gannett have been consistent for more than a year now: I am deeply skeptical and critical of senior management. Corporate talks about shared sacrifice and a commitment to the First Amendment -- but there is far too little follow-through.
Thousands of readers are interested -- although not universally supportive -- of that perspective. They come to Gannett Blog for an alternative to Corporate's site. My views might change if management changed. But that is doubtful. If readers no longer subscribe to my view, traffic will fall and this blog will wither and die. But I won't change my views, merely to maintain traffic.
I'm reminded of that great exaggerator, Lillian Hellman, who famously scripted (while wearing a dress from Mr. Balmain!):
"I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year’s fashions."
Good work being rewarded with a ring? You folks make my ass laugh so loud that I am farting while writing here. Look at the CNY division. Do those who really work hard get the recognition that they deserve? Are they trying to tell us that only those in Binghamtom are doing such a great job that they deserve the ring? Is there nobody from Ithaca or Elmira worthy of it? I am very surprised that the Ad Director from Ithaca did not get a ring! She has a great sales team last year that out sold most of the other papers from the CNY division in whatever packages and special sections that they come out with despite having the most minimal of sales people selling!! You name it, her team sells it and sells it fast!! Does her hard work and results not worthy of the ring and recognition?
ReplyDelete11:13pm
ReplyDeleteYour ring was paid for by the unpaid commissions that Gannett's sales staff is screwed out of month after month.
Gannett is not the evil place so easily characterized here. That's why the ring winner's opening remarks here are so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI too am doing everything I can to make my paper a better place and the only limits are my own abilities.
I'd be angry too if I was fired, but I do know one thing: I would move on and not get consumed by what was.
Jim says this blog is an alternative to Gannett tripe. Actually there hasn't been any real communication within Gannett for years, so the existence if this blog is a good thing. Unfortunately it has been dominated by the loons -- "Gannett hates you" and similar nonsense -- and the voices of reason, which are most of us, get driven away.
Is the company run well? Hell no, things are awful at the very top, the CEO is way over his head. But that does not mean every manager, every initiative, every product us bad as well. People who posts such things are the true vendors of tripe.
Congratulations to all the ring winners. Help lead us to better times.
Jim, let me put it this way: You used to work for some less-than-stellar bosses in USAT's Money section. But we don't think your accomplishments were tarnished by association.
ReplyDeleteThose rings are underwritten by communities that are not getting the complete product that they pay for.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a professional culture that instilled the principle that the newspaper existed to serve, enlighten and entertain the readers.
Gannett believes -- and mostly rewards those who practice -- that newspapers exist only to serve and enrich executives and stockholders.
The sad result for GCI is growing more obvious by the day.
I look at that list and I see what I see EVERY time Gannett does something: repetition to the level of pointlessness. Look at how many multiple winners there are. The same people, the same properties. Do you mean to tell me these people are the best and brightest EVERY time Gannett evaluates the work that's being done across the company? I see directors who know how to write nominations and judges who see a name they recognize and decide to reward again. I won't say none of this year's winners are worthy, but there are too many five-time and six-time recipients for me to take this very seriously.
ReplyDeleteTo all the ring recipients, imagine these two options:
ReplyDelete1. You receive a ring.
2. You get a thank-you note from Bob Dickey, saying that a $1,000 donation has been made to one of the employees laid off at your worksite.
Which would you choose? Why? And was this option ever considered by Corporate?
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU PEOPLE,DOWN IN THE TRENCHES,FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO RECIEVE MY RING THIS YEAR. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD IT WAS TO FIRE ALL THOSE PEOPLE AND RUIN ALL THOSE FAMILIES SO THAT I COULD SHOW ENOUGH PROFIT AT MY PAPER SO THAT I COULD RECIEVE MY RING. I WILL BE GOING TO OLAN MILLS AND HAVE MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH MY RING, AND EVERYTIME I LOOK AT MY GOLD JEWEL, I WILL THINK OF ALL YOU LITTLE PEOPLE.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS AGAIN
Why should they give out rings when people are getting laid off? These people already make a tremendous salary, they have a lot of people under them doing the actual work, they just sit and bark orders at someone else, it's a joke. They have ruined small town newspapers, GMs come in once in a great while, have no clue what is going on in the community, no breaking news cause there are no reporters any more, go to the local radio station's web site for that, no morale, no recognition of loyal workers, just a kick in the ass on the way out the door. This company is a great big joke. The one's who say it is a good place to work are butt kissers who make a very good wage and have no conscious about who they step on to get where they are. No personal integrity at all. They keep people hired who are clearly inept, ignorant, etc. just because they like them or they are the "token minority". Get a clue kool-aid drinkers. We know what is really going on.
ReplyDelete12:10
ReplyDeleteGreat that you got your ring and judging from what you wrote, I could only say that you deserve the ring for kissing, wiping and sucking asses is a tough job! Kudos to you and you might want to check out where the nearest Cash for Gold is after getting your picture taken. That money could come in handy when you could not kiss, lick, suck and wipe ass as good as you use to for there will always be a new kids in town who can do it better then you! Have a wonderful memorial day weekend, fucktard!
Men who wear gold rings other than a wedding band are show-offs. Yes, that includes Super Bowl winners, Masons, college ring-wearers and Gannett VPs.
ReplyDelete11:13 So where is this "good work?" If there was valuable work being done, GCI's revenues would not be in the crapper, circulation would not have collapsed, ad revenues might not be plumbing historically low levels, and the morale of employees of this company wouldn't be in the dumpster. Giving achievement awards in this climate is out-of-bounds, and I am especially irked at the rings won by HR people. Rewarding people for overseeing layoffs and cutbacks is akin to giving an achievement award to Dr. Mengele for his work at Auchswitz. If there were successes, they would be seen in the bottom line, and both you and I can read the results and see they are not there. We are in demonstrably worse shape as a corporation now than we were in this period last year.
ReplyDeleteDear 11:13 p.m.: Of course there are many, many talented and hardworking people in Gannett. That's why the company has been successful for so long. The point that I and other critics of Gannett make is that the leaders of the company act like they run an empire, as opposed to a collection of newspapers, Web sites, etc. This imperial attitude is displayed in the awarding of rings to loathsome figures like Mark Silverman, who Gannett's leaders know is a terrible manager. But they like him because he will do anything--harass, scream at meetings, gay-bash, lie--to achieve Corporate's goals for editorial. While he was leader of the Detroit News, he instituted a system of local news coverage called "target communities" that largely focused on nearly all-white, upper-income communities at the expense of lower-income and working-class towns that were mostly made up of minorities. He aggressively carried out this form of editorial red lining to keep Gary Watson and the moronic Phil Currie happy. And guess what? Silverman, who is now in Nashville, has won NINE president's rings. (There appears to be less complaining about him now in Nashville because he is not the top boss there and is on the leash of his publisher.)
ReplyDelete6:59, I also saw the Fool article and immediately recognized a huge omission to the thinking. It was all under the premise the paper is and will be what it once was with quality writing, sales reps who knew their clients, circulation reps working the streets... Instead, writing has suffered dramatically, ad reps are too stretched and frankly in some cases, too inexperienced to know what they're doing wrong with goals that are unattainable and circulation departments have been reduced to the point of distribution being an afterthought. By the time the economy recovers, people will have further lost interest in the print product as its value and quality continues to erode and in many cases has been reduced by delivery days or eliminated (Detroit, Tucson). Ultimately, it's the product that has to stand on its own and it's failing. even the clever little sites like the Moms site will erode. Sites are created and promoted in the paper driving hits. This continues showing increases in hits supported by the relentless ads in the paper. Starting from nothing, any site can show growth but as circulation declines so does the advertising engine that drives the sites. When the economy recovers, my guess is the Gannett portfolio of newspaper circulation will be less than 1/2 what it was a few years ago and possibly 10-15% fewer papers as seen in Tucson and who knows what paper is next.
ReplyDeleteTo 9:51:
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be kidding?
You had me nodding right up to the "surprised that the Ad Director from Ithaca line. While she might not be classified as a Kool-Aid drinker, she is for sure a yes woman.
"Great sales team"? She doesn't have a sales team. She has a couple inside people and two ad assistants that keep the place running. No layoffs in Ithaca Advertising, they have all left of their own accord. Including the two they transferred in from Elmira.
"out sold most of the other papers from the CNY division....packages & special sections" There are no special sections any longer, yes we have package: ones that do not fit the advertisers needs so they do not want to buy them. So what will they sell now?
Yes, only people in Binghamton can get rings. They are the only one's close enough and that have the time to kiss Sherm's butt. Ithaca & Elmira don't have time because all the staff has been layed off. Last count I heard was about 40 full timers left in Elmira, wonder how many in Ithaca?
"is there nobody from Elmira or Ithaca worthy of it?" Of course there are but it won't happen. Why? Because the upper management in Binghamton will not have anyone at Elmira or Ithaca have the appearance of doing a good job. Oh, there are quite a few that deserve the recognition but if Binghamton thought about that they would not be able to award their own people. And yes there are few in Binghamton that should be recongized too but none at dept. head level or above. Heaven forbid we give recognition to people that actually deserve it.
OH and while we notice that NO one from CNY advertising recieve a ring I'll bet my next furcation paycheck in the next go round for rings JR will be proudly sporting one to prove how adept she has been at driving the Elmira and Ihtaca advertising depts into the ground.
12:30, this 12:10. That was a joke, you dumbshit!
ReplyDeleteWow. Now THIS is an interesting forum! I know several multi-time ring winners. They work long hours, put up with a lot of crap, operate with far fewer employees than in years past(certainly not by choice) and keep the employees they have motivated in a time of no raises and few bonuses. So they get another miniscule diamond in their ring and I think, $750 (unless they are in the top three)? Really? No, let's get pissed about that and hope they just leave for a compnay that will recognize them. Cuz we can do without good leaders.
ReplyDeleteRings for HR people? For what. Referring employees to the Intranet to figure it out for themselves. Dodge 10 questions, and win a plushie elephant, 20 and you get a 14K ring.
ReplyDeleteBullshit. Listen closely to the sound of my one-hand clap for the ring winners. Sorry that it is not both hands, but I need one to properly salute the company that rewards those on top with money & rings but usually cannot spare a simple "thank you" to all the hard working minions. I know, I know, "You get to keep your job, that should be thanks enough."
ReplyDelete11:13 -- You may deserve your ring. I'm sure some of the folks who received them are hard workers. But ... Gannett is not doing everything it can keep good people. In fact, it's doing everything it can to assure an exodus when the economy rebounds.
ReplyDeleteI hope the things you say about your paper are true, as they give me a glimmer of hope. But at my paper, we laid off two of the most talented editors on staff back in December. A year before that we bought out a good percentage of our most talented and experienced editors and reporters. And we have continued to make cuts -- often of good people -- to the point that the editorial functions of the paper are barely met.
It's gracious to say that some of the editorial staff remaining -- including the executive editor and others in key management positions -- are merely satisfactory.
Meanwhile, while you accepted your ring, the rank and file have seen their pensions discontinued and their pay frozen. And they've been forced to take two weeks off without pay. If you think this in any way encourages retension, then you are indeed the ideal Gannett manager.
Beyond that, I might argue that a ring is a pretty minor league retension tool. If you want to keep me in this company beyond 2009, I'm going to need my pension restored, a raise, and an editor who actually assesses his talent pool and uses it correctly. Sorry if a coffee mug and a slap on the back won't do the trick.
Unlike some of the more unfortunate folks out there, I've got a pretty good exit strategy in place, and I'm using it soon if this company doesn't have a housecleaning.
6:59 -- The Fool also ended by saying that GCI was essentially a crap shoot. There could be big rewards, but if you read closely there was a hint that the company -- because it's dealing in media -- could also collapse. In short, it isn't an investment for the faint of heart, but it has the potential for either a big reward or a big loss.
ReplyDeleteFirst-time poster here. I came to Gannett an idealist I guess. I believed hardwork, results, loyalty, honesty, and integrity would always win the day. It couldn't be farther from the truth. I have become jaded as a result. I was young and naive, but boy this place wised me up in a hurry. It has shown me the absolute worst in people. When you see top leaders in your paper scheme, lie, lack courage, and engage in self-serving tactics time and again you just throw your hands up and say OK, uncle. I have to admit I've worked at several places and none have compared to this one. I'm a firm believer in the adage if you don't like it leave...and I will. It takes time to get your ducks in a row though. I will leave on my terms when my family is best positioned and in the meantime still give the best I can, not for Gannett but for me because I know no other way. My hope long after I'm gone is not for GCI or my property to go down, but for some way we infuse this company with leaders who have compassion and principles. Maybe I'm being an idelaist and naive again. I hope not.
ReplyDeleteOne two-time recipient winner in Cincinnati got canned last September.
ReplyDeleteBest thing that ever happened.
11:13 P.M. wrote:
ReplyDeleteI fully understand that it was the people in my department who made it possible to win and I have let many of them know that. The fact is many of our employees are proud that I won as it reflects very positively on them.
Wow, and therein lies the rub: you let them know that - and that's about it. How thoughtful! You get a ring and they get a clap on the shoulder.
Can you be any more disgusting???? Even in the military a whole section is rewarded for good work - not just one soldier. But what am I thinking? We are in the me, myself and I thinking mode here.
I resent any one of you getting a ring since all of you ring winners received already bonuses this year, and that is a crying shame already.
I see all of you like vultures eating of a carcass (Gannett)!
To the idiotic corporate decision makers who continued this assenine ring tradition:
ReplyDeleteYour precious rings were paid for by:
-The unexpectedly tiny Christmas my children had this year.
- The move I had to make 7 months after moving for my newspaper job.
-The braces I cannot afford for my 11-year old.
-The pre-school I had to pull my 3-year old from.
- The child support I cannot pay.
- The vacations we will not take.
- The savings we no longer have.
-The unemployment that barely covers groceries and gas.
- The 150 resumes that go unanswered.
- The three interviewers who told me I was over-qualified.
-The fear over my career, future and wellbeing.
- The over all stress and strain on my marriage and my family.
But hey, as long as you can pretent your top managers are doing a bang-up job, I'm happy for ya fellas.
Jim:
ReplyDeleteWhere can we complain to corporate about their offensive ring program??
What incredible losers here. No wonder you are bitter. You couldn't cut it and therefore think anyone who achieves something must be an ass kisser.
ReplyDeleteRight. Maybe the people who are rewarded and who are trying to make things better are talented, don't blame everything on other people and are just better performers than the crank cases here who have no power left beyond cursing and belittling people.
It's impossible to wish this blog can get smarter. Unfortunately, it's exactly what it has to be.
Those rings were paid for with:
ReplyDelete1. Sales commissions that were denied because of unrealistically high sales targets.
2. The difference between the 25-32 cents per mile paid for personal vehicle usage and the 50+ cent paid by the best companies.
3. Money that used to go toward pension contributions.
4. Money that used to go toward 401(k) contributions.
5. Money that used to be paid to employees before furloughs and wage cuts.
6. Money that used to be spent hiring people to put out news, uh, information.
7. Money that used to be spent on Christmas gifts and Christmas parties.
I'll leave it up to others to come up with more. The point is, these stupid rings are coming off the backs of people losing their jobs and sacrificing their compensation. They certainly offset the lost wages of the managers who received them.
I just want to say that my publisher works hard, answers questions accurately and generally kicks ass ... in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI hope she wins/won a President's Ring. She deserves it.
I would not have said this about her predecessors.
To 5:37 - Thank you. You are on the money. It is sad to see so many envious people commenting.
ReplyDelete____________________
Jim said...
To all the ring recipients, imagine these two options:
1. You receive a ring.
2. You get a thank-you note from Bob Dickey, saying that a $1,000 donation has been made to one of the employees laid off at your worksite.
Which would you choose? Why? And was this option ever considered by Corporate?
5/23/2009 11:33 AM
I would chose the ring. If I earned it I should get it. This isn't a socialist country. I'm sorry if you lost your job. It happens. I've lost a job before and moved on to better things, like the job I have now.
If someone received a ring the did not earn karhma will eventually get them. You may not know it but they will.
You people kill me with all this serious BS, on a Memorial Day weekend no less. Like all the bloggers say if you dont' like the blog, don't come back; if you don't like Gannett, leave and move on. Find SOMETHING BETTER if you can. If you can't, suck it up and do your job. But for the love of god, don't trash the handful of people on this thread that either did a good job and earned recognition or just plain enjoy the job they have.
Do you think this company exists for you? Grow a pair and grow up! If you worked for me I would eaily find a way to move your sorry ass out the door, you can bet on that. You would hand that opportunity to me on a solver platter.
Man, this crap gets disgusting.
6:08 has it exactly right.
ReplyDeleteSure, there are real hardships and even tragedies in what has happened to some workers.
But life is tough and not everything works out all the time.
I too would get rid of the majority of venomous "workers" who are so miserable and hateful.
I can't imagine having the thought processes that some people gave here. No wonder you're unhappy!
Onward and keys see if we can save the newspaper and media business. Together and without these negative types who only know how to destroy.
I think the rings should be suspended until Gannett stops giving their employees furloughs, freezing our pensions and not giving raises. It is a slap in the face to the worker bees that make these VPS look good. How are these people rewarded and what is their incentive to work harder? To keep a job that has already taken a pay cut, with more to come? We can only be positive for so long and then you lose the productivity. When VPs get rings it just puts the knife deeper in our hearts. We realize that we are disposable to Gannett and all they care about is their bottom line. Anyone that even supports the ring award program must be living with blinders on. You have to support the troops first, if you do, then you can give your gold rings. Otherwise it is moot.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty obvious the corporate kissers are on board for this part of the blog. Go somewhere else. We have no need for your brainwashed mind set here.
ReplyDeleteThen take your own advice and don't come back to this blog. It appears to me you are taking this personally, which tells me you are in management and afraid for your own job and critize people who actually do leave because you are jealous it isn't you? Hit a vain, didn't I.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this company exists for you? Grow a pair and grow up! If you worked for me I would eaily find a way to move your sorry ass out the door, you can bet on that. You would hand that opportunity to me on a solver platter.
Man, this crap gets disgusting.
How funny is this! You are here on Memorial Day weekend yet you put down others for being here! Too funny! You wouldn't be here unless you felt insecure about Gannett or the fact that you have nothing better to do with your time. Don't put down others — take a hard look in the mirror — think you need to resolve your own issues.
ReplyDeleteYou people kill me with all this serious BS, on a Memorial Day weekend no less
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty obvious the corporate kissers are on board for this part of the blog. Go somewhere else. We have no need for your brainwashed mind set here.
5/23/2009 8:25 PM
F#&* you. I'm not a corporate ass kisser. I happen to like my job. If i didn't. I would find another. Simple as that. I'm not brainwashed but I think someone has done a number on you.
But maybe you are right and I should go someplace else since it seems most that comment just want to bitch about everything and then do nothing about it. But you sure take that check to the bank.
However, I won't go someplace else. What I will do is contineu to come here and occasionally set the record straight. So, you can leave.
Get ready for the Yahoo/Gannett merger next week.
ReplyDeletePawn the rings.
ReplyDeleteTake the money, and have a party for the workers that got you there.
Or
Take the "Golden Sphincter" and pass it around so everyone can kiss it.
Apologies to some of the folks that are actually Great people, and truly deserve the accolades.
I know there are still some of you out there. I still see managers that earn the big salaries, and treat their people well. It's a shame you are an endangered species.
USA TODAY gutted everyone who ever had an informed opinion and silenced those who remain. That's what this company is about. That's how small managers manage.
ReplyDeleteI am not part of the herd mentality, but I do call them as I see them. There is a core group of editors at USA TODAY who are simply in over their heads and one or two who are outright liars.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI am 11:13 pm and wrote the first post today. Obviously, the ring program has people worked up on both sides. I need to respond to some of the comments here:
ReplyDelete1:58 am said,
"Do you not read this blog?? Do you live in a bubble? is your head so covered in fluff?
Gannett wants Robots. They get rid of all the 'good' people. Don't think for a millisecond that they Care =one= bit about you.
=They DON'T="
I disagree, there are alot of good people still at my paper and in my department. And I guess "they (who get rid of all the good people)" is me, at least as far as my department is concerned. I am not getting rid of good people, I'm doing my best to try and keep them! I am thankful we have so many good people and I spend alot of my time trying to motivate them.
Jim said,
"But newspaper division chief Bob Dickey's association with the awards shreds any credibility the program might have."
Jim, I just don't agree. The program has been around alot longer than Bob Dickey has. It was an honor to win a ring when Gary Watson or Sue Clark Johnson ran the division and it's still an honor today. And we will just have to agree to disagree about Dickey.
10:02 am said,
"11:13pm, Your ring was paid for by the unpaid commissions that Gannett's sales staff is screwed out of month after month."
Many on this blog argue that salespeople are paid too much right now, especially if the company isn't meeting our sales goals. I disagree with that. The best ad salespeople at our paper are making alot of money - and that makes me VERY happy.
Jim said,
"To all the ring recipients, imagine these two options:
1. You receive a ring.
2. You get a thank-you note from Bob Dickey, saying that a $1,000 donation has been made to one of the employees laid off at your worksite."
#2 of course, the actual ring is not nearly as important as the recognition
1:58 pm said,
"11:13 So where is this "good work?" If there was valuable work being done, GCI's revenues would not be in the crapper, circulation would not have collapsed, ad revenues might not be plumbing historically low levels, and the morale of employees of this company wouldn't be in the dumpster. Giving achievement awards in this climate is out-of-bounds"
There is good work happening all over the company - and I bet at your newspaper too. If you haven't seen it then you aren't looking hard enough. I don't work in our newsroom but I'm continuously impressed with some of the things our newsroom is doing. We have some excellent reporters and columnists. And we have lots of innovation happening in our Circ and Advertising departments. No, our #s aren't very good right now but they could be worse. Part of our job is to prepare ourselves by finding new revenue stream and looking at how we can position ourselves for when the economy improves. We are doing that and many other papers are too. Are you really saying that there should be no achievement/recognition programs? I think we need more than ever. You want to help morale? Then we need more recognition of our employees from the top managers in the field to the rank and file employees.
I am 11:13, here are a few more responses to comments I have received.
ReplyDelete4:18, my pension has been discontinued, my pay has been frozen and I am being forced to take off three weeks without pay. I don't think this encourages retention but these are the types of things that Gannett and many other companies are doing in order to stay financially secure. But I don't see why we shouldn't have a recognition program for department heads. If this was the only recognition program in the entire company then I would agree with you - that would be tacky. But we have a program at our paper for people throughout the organization. These are the types of programs that help retention.
In response to this quote from my original post:
"I fully understand that it was the people in my department who made it possible to win and I have let many of them know that. The fact is many of our employees are proud that I won as it reflects very positively on them."
4:53 pm said,
"Wow, and therein lies the rub: you let them know that - and that's about it. How thoughtful! You get a ring and they get a clap on the shoulder.
Can you be any more disgusting???? Even in the military a whole section is rewarded for good work - not just one soldier. But what am I thinking? We are in the me, myself and I thinking mode here.
I resent any one of you getting a ring since all of you ring winners received already bonuses this year, and that is a crying shame already.
I see all of you like vultures eating of a carcass (Gannett)!"
Wow. I guess you're assuming that the only way I recognize my employees is through a pat on the back at ring time. We recognize our best people ALL the time when we see good work. Some of it is through financial incentives but most is through verbal or written recognition. It's a shame you feel so resentful. But I don't let comments like yours bother me - I will continue to do my best in my small way to help save the company - and your job too.
11:13, 11:36:
ReplyDeleteI am 4:18 and would like to thank you for taking the time to personally respond to me.
I figured that you also had to take the furloughs, pay cuts, etc., as high-ranking folks -- even Dubow -- were not exempted from those programs. That said, my original comment stands.
While a President's Ring may motivate you to stay with the company, it wouldn't work for most people. You seem -- from your comments -- like a really good manager, one that I would like to work for. I can only wish the folks at my paper had your attitude.
That said, can you answer this: Would the ring really convince you to stay with Gannett if another corporation came to you with an offer for better pay and a pension plan?
If the answer is, no, it seems pretty obvious that rings were a frivolous expense -- and not a worthwhile retention tool -- at a time when many, many people are being asked to make sacrifices. If the answer is, yes, I encourage you to think long and hard about your future because that indicates an unrealistic view of corporate America today. Like I said, you seem like a good guy/woman and I hope for your continued success.
Lastly, you started your first post by arguing that you are not overpaid, but you also noted that you've been forced to take three weeks of furlough meaning that you make more than 90k a year.
As a reporter/editor who makes about 60k, I've never considered myself overpaid either, but after months of reading this blog it's become clear that I make double what many people make for doing the same job. Granted 60k a year isn't a lot of money in today's world, but there is a reasonable argument that I am overpaid for a Gannett employee.
By the same standard, there seems to be a pretty good argument that you too are overpaid. I don't resent you making 90k, 100k, 120k (whatever it is), but if you're making three to four times what other college grads are being paid in the same company, the argument holds up.
Really, the latter isn't a comment on you, it's another on the company. There seems to be a belief that shelling out $750 for a ring or $20 for a gift certificate now and then somehow replaces giving people liveable wages. What's more the comopany clearly believes it is somehow acceptable to continue these lame practices while people are being fired left and right.
No hard feelings at all, just another opinion. I'm glad you got the recognition, I just don't understand the physical expense when people in some departments are begging for pens and gas to allow them to cover major news events.
"Men who wear gold rings other than a wedding band are show-offs. Yes, that includes Super Bowl winners, Masons, college ring-wearers and Gannett VPs."
ReplyDelete------
Phil Jackson had his bling on last night, whupping up on de Nuggets.
"- The three interviewers who told me I was over-qualified. ...
ReplyDelete5/23/2009 4:59 PM"
Then why did they interview you in the first place? durh. Calling an interviewee "overqualified" is a polite way of telling you to get lost.
4:18,
ReplyDeleteThis is 11:13, thanks for your comments. Regarding your question about the ring as a retention tool...it is neither the ring nor the $500 reward that provide the incentive. It is the recognition that goes along with being named one of the top performers in my area. Knowing my Publisher, Division President and Corporate people think enough of me to award me with a ring makes me feel very good about the company. I think everyone at all levels appreciates recognition.
Regarding whether or not I would leave Gannett for greener pastures...I have had opportunities over the years but never really considered them. Say what you want about Ganett but we are learning know what many of us suspected: Gannett is in much better shape than most other newspaper companies. As tough as things are Gannett is still making money, and I'm thankful for that.
We recognize our best people ALL the time when we see good work. Some of it is through financial incentives but most is through verbal or written recognition. It's a shame you feel so resentful. But I don't let comments like yours bother me - I will continue to do my best in my small way to help save the company - and your job too.
ReplyDelete5/23/2009 11:36 PM
Perfect answer! I'll rest my case: These employees work under you and made it happen that you received a ring. We're on the same sheet here.
My comments bother you? Why? Because you just as much verified what I have been writing all along: All your employees got a slap on the shoulder AND received financial incentives but MOST is through verbal or written recognition. What financial incentives are this? A raise? When? Next year since we have a pay raise freeze? Wow, I was right all along: verbal and written recognition! LOL! You really top it! What do you think a "slap on the shoulder and thank you" is??????
Since you received a ring I believe that you are a VP/Director/ and/or Manager. Since you had to take a furlough just like any other Gannett employee I am sure you're over the $90,000 mark. And if another company offers you more money - you would run just like everybody else. That's a fact and has nothing to do with me being bitter. I've seen these "suppose to be saviors" of Gannett and let me tell you: there nothing to be proud of - quite the contrary. So the rentention thingy is out of the loop on this one.
Don't you honestly think that this reward wasn't given in bad taste? Once the company is in a better financial shape you can have a cartload of these rings - otherwise, in my opinion it's a slap in the face for all the employees that work not only under you, but all employees working for Gannett! Period!
To keep a job that has already taken a pay cut, with more to come? We can only be positive for so long and then you lose the productivity. When VPs get rings it just puts the knife deeper in our hearts. We realize that we are disposable to Gannett and all they care about is their bottom line. Anyone that even supports the ring award program must be living with blinders on. You have to support the troops first, if you do, then you can give your gold rings. Otherwise it is moot.
ReplyDelete5/23/2009 8:22 PM
This seems to be the only person having some common sense on this board. Kudos to you!
What's more the comopany clearly believes it is somehow acceptable to continue these lame practices while people are being fired left and right.
ReplyDeleteNo hard feelings at all, just another opinion. I'm glad you got the recognition, I just don't understand the physical expense when people in some departments are begging for pens and gas to allow them to cover major news events.
5/24/2009 12:54 AM
Yep, pretty much right on the issue. Wish we had more reporters like you on board. Once we do - maybe our products improve. Kudos also for you!
I will continue to do my best in my small way to help save the company - and your job too.
ReplyDelete5/23/2009 11:36 PM
Can you continue being anymore arrogant than this? Please....... If Gannett thinks it's my time to walk the planks it's my time to walk the planks. Don't think for a minute that your over-inflated ego does anything to prevent this. Get your head out of your behind and let go of the rose-colored glasses.
6:44,
ReplyDeleteI love this industry and I don't want to see it go away. So, yes, I believe I am working every day to help save the company, just like thousands of others in Gannett. You think that's arrogant? Whatever. But I'm not going down without a fight.