Results... Spend Money on solving the problem 
not perpetuating it.

We do not have a static preset list of benchmarks that must be attained for a successful department, there is no “recipe” for an error free Circulation department. As a consultant to a Circulation Software developer, the one thing that I found to be consistent is that nothing is consistent. We all deliver newspapers everyday but the philosophy and theory on how to do that varies from paper to paper and from group to group. Even the tracking of the information is not standardized.

Part of the initial process is working through that very issue, and then tailoring needs for your newspaper around it. What you need, may not be as obvious as one might think, but may also require company innovation to solve. That may be harder to accomplish than to just innovate within the culture.

We do provide standardized District Manager Training binders and programs as well as front line logistics forms, and tactical applications. However, those are all derivatives of a clearly defined Circulation philosophy and corporate mandate. Tactical execution comes second to a quality strategic plan.

These are the tools and plans you will have in your hand, when you pay the bill.

Here are some common PIPS and Opportunities to improve your position.

Initial one hour phone consulting – Free

• Discuss any problems or concern that caused you to call in the first place.
• Identify at least three points of improvement
• Used to create a submission document to the caller regarding specific services

Initial Meeting – (four days)

• Conducted on location at your paper
• Meet the players of your team
• Meet and examine the concerns of the original caller
• Create a plan to implement, correct or mentor the situation
• Create a follow up plan between key participants
• Create a report to the senior officer in charge

Breaking the Pattern – Usually one week

• Implement change and innovation
• Terminate or restrict violence
• Establish and execute Human Resource Issues
• Map out training issues
• Obtain senior buy in and financial support
• Detail the initial meeting plan for a 90 day period

Examination – Usually One Week

• People
• 90 day plan
• Routines
• Practical distribution field operations
• In house operations
• Departmental environment
• Personnel fit and deployments
• 180 day plan
• Customer Service operations
• The “why” factor

Mentorship

• Establish ongoing relationship procedures
• Establish goals and milestones
• Establish “buy in” with employee

Auditing

• Identify criminal actions
• Identify system failure
• Identify company theft
• Identify corruption
• Identify false sales trends and dishonest results

Labour Dispute Management

• Preparedness
• Planning
• Philosophy
• Experience
• Execution

Staff Training

• Philosophy agreement with Senior management
• Set out priority of issues
• Establish most needed or critical missing components
• Create quality answers to the problems
• Specific District Manager Training Programs

Temporary Replacements

• Manage the department during new management hiring or terminations
• Assist in manager selections
• Assist in new manager integration
• Provide quality and qualified staffing options
• Support senior management in HR sensitive departmental issues
• Terminate a contract distributor

Special Projects

• Circulation Sales programs – development and implementations
• Sales Training
• AM / PM conversion
• Cost control
• Complaint ratio management and control
• Expert and legal testimony
• Labour relations
• Independent Contractor Relations
• New Product Launch
• Circulation in a competitive market
• Paid versus Free distribution
• Delivery of address specific products
• Delivery of Telephone books
• Paid In Advance conversions
• Carrier recruitment and retention
• Keynote speaker

Advertising Department Support

• Call on and represent rural and distant newspaper clients in metro markets
• Accompany newspaper Publishers or Ad Managers on metro visits to address specific newspaper circulation concerns with agencies or advertiser clients.
• Train the Circulation Manager to “pitch hit” with the Advertising Manager to create a solid closing.