Job Insecurities

With lots of layoffs and people finding it takes much longer to find employment, a lot of people are stressed to the max. As a person no stranger to layoffs I can empathize with all my friends dealing with this problem. My younger brother just took a less-than-desirable job just to start getting a paycheck again.

The Washington Book Publishers is hosting a helpful meeting (no membership is required) this Thursday, May 21st in Washington, DC.

Newspapers: Getting Kicked into Change

With the recent announcements of even more newspapers folding or facing major cutbacks, lots of change is in the air for media corporations. Folio’s recent 2009 media predictions create a sense of urgency for media to evolve into a more user-friendly version of itself.

Keith Kelly, a columnist for New York Post suggests:

More closings of magazines and newspapers and more survivors clinging to the online world as a life boat. Fundamental problem of the digital age vs. print. While the gross numbers grows, advertisers still don’t invest in all the niche products with anywhere near the level of support that they once had for old mainstream media.

While Andy Cohn of VP Media foresees:

Five out of every 10 magazines and newspapers will go out of business, scale down their frequency or move entirely to the Web.  This will not just be survival of the fittest, rather survival of the most willing and able to adapt to the changing media paradigm, and throw all of the old rules out the window.

David Callaway sees the threat of the institution leaders will force innovations to save newspapers:

Unlike autos and finance, the problem with newspapers isn’t the content, but the delivery. The business side was too slow to adapt…So, by all means, mourn the passing of great names, just as we do in other industries. But look for the new channels from which all the talent that made them great will flow.

 

#$%**@ Not again

With my publishing company up for sale I have lots going through my head. One thing, that I’m a pariah to any company I become a part of. The only company I was ever able to turn in my own resignation, since my departure has been doing amazing. They’ve expanded their publishing program and increased their staff. What the heck?

Time shall see what happens to us, hopefully our new parents want to keep the family together. But if not, should I find solace that some people have made their living on making it easier for the higher ups to rid themselves of superfluous employees?

If my other two layoffs have prepared me, I see a schedule of sleeping in, working out, Law-and-Order reruns, and finding humor in online antics.