Professional Journalism

One of the most important questions we tried to find answers for in 2012 was the one on the future of journalism: How can we save the newspapers and the kind of journalism these newspapers have created over decades? Just by doing the same we have done so far? Certainly not. Technology and new approach how to tell stories on the Internet have a huge impact on our daily business. Sometimes we cannot judge which IT solution could be helpful and which couldn’t be. I think it’s crucial that media companies share their experiences which they gain from using services launched by start-ups, and help others to avoid mistakes or create a more efficient workflow within the company, i.e. in the newsroom as German editors-in-chief did for my academic work called “The Heart of A Morning Paper beats Online.” I may proudly say that these shared insights provide ways to cut editorial costs by nearly 15 percent a year without lowering the quality of journalism. Other ways will be shown on my new blog INMA started last month. Even as a media entrepreneur well connected to content providers and IT service, you need a platform where all the up-coming ideas can be discussed and measured by peers. Today Bloomberg news quotes me while describing Content Fleet, a new company from Hamburg that helps media companies build up data-based websites. Is this service good for journalism or not? Let’s talk about these issues in 2013. A first step is done by offering this book in English.

My new blog on inma.org

Just started: my new blog on inma.org, the website of INMA, the International News Media Association that helps transform traditional media companies by sharing ideas and experience all over the world. My blog is named “Media Entrepreneur” and delivers case studies on innovative ideas media executives should know. The first post asks the question whether our news organisations were ready for the digital age and has the right competencies on board. Let’s discuss on that: “Does your organisation have what it takes to make the digital leap?”

INMA is the leading association of media executives working on the future of their news media business worldwide. For European professionals, there are two big conferences they should join to stay in the loop. The World Congress in New York next April, and the European Congress in Berlin next October. The USP of these conferences ist that the ideas and business models speakers from all over the world share with their audience are terrific and absolutely inspiring. Last May, the Gannett Company (“USA Today”) explains on the World Conference in L.A. how the sales staff are educated over weeks to make a difference on the advertising market. During the European Conference in The Hague some weeks ago editors-in-chief fixed the real mistakes a publisher had made in the newsroom and left the audiences discussing their recommendations and suggestions to handle the challenges newspapers face right now. The input and feedback members get from the INMA family is much more worth than an individual or a corporate membership cost. To benefit from the ideas provided on the INMA website inma.org, feel free to start with a free registration. After this, German members will get a separat invitation to some local events and seminars limited to those who have done this membership process. I’d like to provide any further details needed.

A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?“
The priest apologized “Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.“
Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.
It said, “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”

Moral of the story:

If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Look at Management lesson #2

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, “I’ll give each of you just one wish.“

“Me first! Me first!” says the admin clerk. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.“Puff! She’s gone.

“Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Piña Coladas and the love of my life.“Puff! He’s gone.

“OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Moral of the story:

Always let your boss have the first say.

Look at Management lesson #1

On the INMA World Congress in Los Angeles I got the opportunity to present some thoughts concerning the idea of sharing content to save costs. The approach is to re-publish content already put on the Internet and to enrich this content by new pieces written to gain traffic from Google. It’s a good deal: You can reduce your content costs by 70 percent and offers 100 percent content to your users. Even more: The technology on which this system of a Vertical Content Engine is based also helps the traditional print world create supplements as easy as it sounds. By a click, already published content can be imported into any different CMS and is ready to appear in new shape after being curated. Look at Top.de of Axel Springer. The website (unfortunately written in German) is like a kind of product you can produce by the help of the Content Engine. Does someone really see where the content comes from? The cannibalization is less than 1 percent. Whenever you’re interested in this technology, just write a short mail.

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, “I’ll give you $ 800 to drop that towel.“

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob.

After a few seconds, Bob hands her $ 800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, “Who was that?”

“It was Bob the next door neighbor,” she replies.

“Great!” the husband says, “did he say anything about the $ 800 he owes me?”

Moral of the story:

Interview for INMA.org last year