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Week of July 17, 2006
July 17, 2006
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Friday 7/21, 2006
Ok, you got the bullet. Now what.
- Make sure your termination agreement is done before you cash the severance check. Otherwise you may give up certain rights.
- Be professional, don't argue, yell, or threaten. It won't do any good.
- Take the high road. Don't bad mouth the station, staff, company. Remember, you worked there and "created" the atmosphere. (outsiders believe.) Be quiet about it.
- Talk to everyone. In the first week everyone will call. Have an answer that positions you.
- The second week your friends will call.
- The third week, NO ONE will call.It's ok, you will survive. Life will go on. You may even be in better shape than if you stayed. We will examine that topic in future Joe GM's.
Thursday 7/20, 2006
So you think you are about to get fired? As a GM, here are a few things you can do to prepare.
- Have an updated contact list from the company. You will need to network.
- Review your successes and failures during your employment.
- Make sure you know the successful specifics of your tenure. My station was up XX% in revenue last year. I was awarded manager of the year in 2004. (do not take any station financials or property belonging to the company. They don't like that.)
- Contact "friends" at other companies to learn about potential openings. You may be out for awhile. Prepare for it not.
- Start cleaning out the "junk" in your desk. Quietly remove personal effects.
- Don't panic. It happens to the most successful of us. Unless you are fired for "cause," you will find that life will go on.Tomorrow, what to do when "it happens."
Wednesday 7/19, 2006
Are you about to get the bullet? Here are a few warning signs.
- The friendly daily or 2x per week call from corporate becomes "all business." Whenever you hear from your boss, it's only about revenue or expenses.
- They won't ask about the family.
- They stop calling altogether. (Your departure is imminent.)
- You will be asked to project your revenues for the next week.
- Your business manager will tell you "corporate" called looking for a copy of your contract.
- The boss comes into/near the market and you are not told.Tomorrow - You are about to "get it." How to prepare.
Tuesday 7/18, 2006
Did you read about the firings at CBS last week? Several GM's, PD's, Sales Managers, even corporate people were shown the door. Ask yourself, "Is the job I do critical to the success of the station". Could my job be consolidated with another in the building? Let's see. Here are a few benchmarks.
- Is your station making it's revenue goals? (as in the 06 budget)
- Are my expenses in line? (as in the 06 budget)
- Are the ratings where they should be? (as in the 06 budget)
- Are there any pending lawsuits in your station?Is you answered "No" to the first three points you may be in trouble.
Yep, it's all about the forecast. If you have the credibility to do what you told them you would do when you created the budget, you are in good shape. (Although nothing is guaranteed.)
Tomorrow, the warning signs of your pending termination.
Monday 7/17, 2006
Last week was a bad week for radio. Low earnings, staff cutbacks at CBS, and technology changes has given group owners and station operators a fear unknown that could get worse. How do we keep focused in the face of these changes? This week Joe GM will address the issue so you as a fellow GM, DOS, GSM or line staff member can not only survive, but thrive in this changing environment. It all starts tomorrow, right here on www.allaccess.com.
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