Regarding the big minority journalism conference now underway in the Windy City, a reader says in a new comment: "You should have someone cover the Unity event in Chicago. I hear that none of the executives have shown their faces except for Bob Dickey and Chris Saridakis. At least these guys made the effort. I haven't seen Dubow or anyone else from the upper echelon. We lack diversity in senior management. These fools pretend to care about us. Who are they kidding? They are just going to tell us how important it is to 'recruit' people like us and then they turn around and fire all of us!"Earlier: GCI cuts cast doubt on diversity goals
I haven't seen Dubow at Unity either. It does not surprise me that he would not show up. His employees, black, white, yellow or brown, all dislike him. We all believe he is the single person holding back this company.
ReplyDeleteThe only other executive I saw was Craig Moon.
This is a wake up call to all the brothers and sisters at Gannett that your leader, Craig Dubow, could care less about you.
Another sour grapes BS post. There are a number of Gannett executives here in Chicago. At least 15. Instead of constantly bitching people ought to at least have some kind of constructive words rather than always tearing down and then lying about the rest. This blog has been going from bad to worse.
ReplyDeleteThe company appears to have a major presence here, is a major supporter, and comments like this do not help any cause except the few malcontents.
Anon 7:11 AM
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what 15 executives showing up at a conference has to do with whatever cause you're talking about when non-traditional papers and staffs are reportedly being slashed?
I would rather Dubow spend his time working on the company's financial challenges instead of taking a field trip to Unity. In my 15 years in the company's news side, I have never seen a worthy minority co-worker denied an opportunity for advancement.
ReplyDeleteNon-traditional papers are being slashed because they are losing money. That is what should happen.
ReplyDeleteThe president of Unity is a Gannett reporter - Green Bay. She's been granted a lot of time away from her desk to run that show. That in itself is a commitment.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be nice to believe a single person could hold back an entire company, but in an enterprise this size, mediocrity is a collaborative effort. We all share some of the blame. Maybe Craig has a greater share than others, maybe not, but simply throwing the captain overboard won't right the Titanic.
Hey 7:11:
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time a local paper might report that home sales are in the dumper. It might report that the big employer is cutting jobs.
The first thing the reporters, editors and publisher will hear from the Chamber of Commerce types is that "you're not helping."
Once the readers get the idea that you've dedicated your publication to "helping," readership tanks.
"Helping" is DuBow's job. Not Jim's.
Instead of posting here, go read any HR textbook. It will say employees will feel very stressed during times of change. For the eventual survival of the company, management must attend to the employees' needs.
Instead of posting here, why don't you help by:
Developing a clear strategy for the company.
Explain that strategy in broad terms to the employees.
Explain in particular terms to each employee how he or she fits into that strategy.
That will help.