Gannett is scheduled to disclose third-quarter earnings on Friday morning, which points to a likely two-day meeting of the board of directors, starting today. Directors convene at least quarterly to consider big company announcements, including earnings and other strategic changes.Corporate and USA Today staff in McLean, Va.: Are you seeing any limousines, "black cars,'' chauffeurs, or other signs of the directors being afoot -- like last time?
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[Photo: Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman, by Flickr member Nickphotos]
You know what happened in the Godfather when the limos appeared. Bye bye Dubow. RIP.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I get the feeling, that Tara's name is going to be mention here in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteWe'll always have Tara.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I don't give a damn!
This is such an unhealthy climate to work in here in Tysons that it really doesn't matter what happens at the top anymore. Some of the toxic atmosphere is due to the economic and industry woes. But part of the anxiety and dysfunction could have been avoided -- at least in my department. A series of horrible decisions, that the bosses in my department actually think are turning out great (because it was their ideas), have led to an unproductive, confused and mangled department that was once one of the strengths of the company. These bosses don't want to hear how bad things have become and therefore continue to believe everything is going well. They don't hear the constant stream of grumbling and disbelief.
ReplyDeleteMany employees no longer have the courage to stand up and say this course is simply wrong. Few have much motivation anymore. Just heading into Tysons is a depressing journey, knowing what awaits people on most days. My department is so fragmented and unable to perform the most basic tasks that others from other departments have begun questioning what is going on.
During a time when honest and open critique and assessment is needed more than ever, we instead have a fearful, dead-in-the-water, unproductive and declining workforce. We've lost faith in our bosses and the bosses above them who buy-in that everything is going well.
Let the limos roll in. It really doesn't matter what happens anymore. Tysons is a journalistic wasteland. A toxic dump. Tysons is an illusion. The smiles are phony. The feedback is tainted. The bosses are thin-skinned and/or in total denial. The tactics being used to reinvent the place are downright dumb, and I doubt anyone who rides around in a limo gives a crap. We're all just watching it unravel and disconnecting from the place in our own individual ways.
As I said at the start, there are forces out there that Gannett is not to be blamed for. But take it a couple levels down from there, to the nuts and bolts decisions, and you will see self-inflicted wounds that are immoral and bordering on criminal. We all work day to day, knowing at any moments any of us could be cut. And even if we're not cut, who wants to work in such a depleted business? Few see longterm futures. And that is not good for a company or employees.
2:44 I assume you mean the newsroom? Uh...information center.
ReplyDelete2:44 PM
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that anyone has to work under those dreadful conditions. Just remember: It's not your fault.
@2:44, Heading into Tysons sounds a lot like heading into Westchester, "A series of horrible decisions, that the bosses in my department actually think are turning out great (because it was their ideas), have led to an unproductive, confused and mangled department that was once one of the strengths of the company. These bosses don't want to hear how bad things have become and therefore continue to believe everything is going well. They don't hear the constant stream of grumbling and disbelief"
ReplyDeleteUntil the compensation package of those at the top are cut to something like 110% of what the publishers make, this company is doomed to a Vote of No Confidence, not only by the market, but by its employees.
ReplyDeleteThe only variable is on what date this will happen.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteDo you think now might be a good time to post the compensation packages once again?
Hey. Gannett is not exactly completely bailout-free. The company got an abatement and some other aid for that Indy center. I'd like to know what other tax support Gannett is getting or has gotten---while those golden parachutes remain untouched.
We all thought when we moved to Tysons that the future was bright. I really thought I would retire at USAT. Then came scandals in the newsroom, salary freezes and so-called mergers & buyouts. I agree with 2:44 that some of what has occurred could have been prevented or handled in a better way. I also agree that we're heading down the wrong road and are being driven by the wrong supervisors that have created havoc and have not thought things through in a clear, intelligent manner. I go through every day smiling and agreeing with whatever insane thing they want to do next. They probably have no clue to the depth of my unhappiness and disagreement with almost everything they've done in the last year. They think they are liked and respected! I found that being anything less than agreeable is not good for one's career. And I still need a paycheck, although I expect that paycheck won't be coming in too much longer regardless. Essentially, these leaders are putting to death the newspaper long before its time. And in doing so, are making a lot of people feel terrible on daily basis. Horrible place to work right now for anyone who was once productive and enjoyed the pace of an active newsroom. It's dead. yes, there are some bright new shiny faces are all around the building, but I swear I have no idea what they do. I see nothing tangible day-to-day to understand why it is that they are so treasured over the people who worked and produced at such a high level for years.
ReplyDeleteI think what 5:09 is referring to is the somewhat obvious difference in pace between print people and some online folks. Even taking into account the technical complexities of what the digital people do, I don't think some of them understand what a real newsroom's pace is or was like. They do good work, but just not enough of it. I see no sense of urgency. Everything from deadlines to workflows are kind of lose online. They measure things in terms of weeks or months. Print measures things in minutes or hours. They are far more concerned about clicks than substance. It's two different cultures and probably needed in remain somewhat separate. I think USAT has "over-merged" which is creating some harsh feelings and is hampering some people from performing their jobs. Many changes have actually been counterproductive for both the paper and the web site, though some editors will never admit that because it makes them look bad.
ReplyDeleteIt would do a lot of good for morale if the CEO and his direct reports would publicly state they too are making sacrifices. Is it really that hard a thing to do?
ReplyDeleteI heard a senior manager make that suggestion recently and from what I could assess, he received very little support. Too bad he is not running the place.
Believe it or not, there are a few very good senior managers who are fighting the battles for the rest of us.
USAT, Tysons, corporate, the newsroom, the PR machine, the IT department...even the cafeteria and little cafe...it's all a mess! Run horribly. Frankly, there should be a separate blog just to expose everything that is broken in Tysons.
ReplyDeleteWhen the economy was good, we could get away with all these substandard, parochial-thinking USAT/Gannett managers. A few are very good; most aren't. People could also self motivate during good times because they felt they had a future, regardless of how lame there particular boss was. Now, with managers lost or in denial, or just protecting their own asses, forcing one faulty remedy after another upon us...well...how the times have changed. Someone really needs to examine what some of these managers are doing to cope or transition us. They are so far off it's scary. We all agree on the overall goal, I think, yet these managers can't seem to devise a simple, feasible plan to get us there. They keep getting us deeper and deeper into the muck. And yes, I've heard them say everything is going wonderfully. Probably because they surround themselves with people who won't tell them any differently.
ReplyDeleteGannettoid managers must have a chip planted in their heads...It's a chip that allows them to protect themselves no matter the cost or who they throw under the bus. Once in awhile, a manager will speak frankly and do the right thing, but that person will never rise up or be rewarded for showing integrity. The most that person will receive is the respect of their staff, which is no small thing IMHO. If you're a manager in Gannett, going to bat for a colleague could be a career-ending move. And this is just one of the many problems that have landed us all in this horrible position.
ReplyDeleteJim, These really aren't belly aching has beens that have posted before me. It's for real and I lived it too long. Honestly time I'll never get back. THe Gannett tower is sick. Everyone of the Vp's is toxic with maybe one or 2 that are trying their best but looking for a buyout, bailout or another job.
ReplyDeleteThese people are out for themselves, have lost their spark, just show up (sometimes) to work to show their face. Most just come and go on their own disregard for the company or all the poor miners out in the field.
Start at one of the 4th floor and work your way around the loop. Dead weight abounds! There are a few directors that work their ass off but they are getting fed up with poor leadership.
Keep this in mind THERE IS LIFE AFTER GANNETT! and it's not half bad! My hair is coming back, I've lost weight, I smile more often, I don't kick the dog when I get home etc etc etc.