Week of April 23, 2007

Friday 04/27, 2007

If you have been following us all week, you know what the faults of GM's are when it comes to running a radio station or cluster. Many successful General Managers usually have a few things in common. In addition to great hiring, winning GMs anticipate problems, stay ahead by planning, challenge their department heads, communicate (have regular brief weekly meetings), and finally, are fair and consistent. Staffs know what to expect from winning GM's and because they are consistent, and everyone knows where they stand. Hanging with the morning guy playing golf one day, then having to discipline him/her/them the next is totally ok. As long as everyone gets the same treatment. Did I miss a few? Sure, but sometimes the best solutions for a winning organization is right in the mirror in the morning. Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday 04/26, 2007

All this week here on allaccess, we are examining mistakes General Managers make and the solutions to make your station run better. When GM's have to do the following, they are NOT doing their job, they are meddling. Chances are, the station is ratings/revenue challenged. See if you are among managers that do the following; pick the music, pick individual songs out for addition or subtraction to the playlist. Design the logo, give pointers to the air-staff, write promos, commercials, TV spots, and billboard slogans. If YOU as a GM must do these jobs, the company is way overpaying you. You are getting paid for leading, not picking songs. Tomorrow, we wrap up our week with recommendations GM's can do right now to make a better station or cluster.

Wednesday 04/25, 2007

All this week, we are examining mistakes General Managers make and the solutions to make your station run better. Many GM's believe they are programmers. Naturally, this is a bit far from the truth. They make the mistake of listening to their spouse, the friends at the "country club," or the sales manager as an excuse for poor sales. The answer? GM's are not stupid, they should listen to everybody, then listen to the person they pay for the most. The Program Director. Trust is a huge deal for managers of radio stations. If you trust your PD, Sales, or Promotion Director, and treat them as experts, (assuming you hired right, see Tuesday's Joe gm.) express your concerns, voice your opinion, then HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE. The world is getting more complex. You cant be expected to run everything yourself. How do you know when you have gone too far? We will discuss it tomorrow right here on allaccess.com.

Tuesday 04/24, 2007

All this week, we will examine mistakes General Managers make and the solutions to make your station run better, bill more, and have higher ratings. The number one mistake GM's make? They think they are an expert in everything! "I have the BIG job; I must know programming, sales, accounting, engineering, even graphics!" First thing they do? Design the logo! What do GM's know about art or graphics? Or web sites, or programming for that matter. Great GM's do two things very well. First, they understand that they don't know everything, and second, (and most important) THEY HIRE GREAT PEOPLE! Then let them do their job. More GM mistakes tomorrow.

Monday 04/23, 2007

Management buyouts, HD radio, Google and SWMX re-defining the revenue model, Clear Channel selling stations, new owners, new technology, new thinking about a changing audience. Problem is, you must run your day to day business, and address the future. Your company, and your staff expects you to set the goals, drive the revenue, and keep the ratings up. How to do it all? This week, we will examine mistakes General Managers make and the solutions to make your station run better, bill more, and have higher ratings. Hint, you can't do it all yourself. Look for more starting tomorrow on allaccess.com.