How many layers in your wedding cake?
By William M. Hartnett on Apr 11, 2007 in newspapers
Been thinking more about whether newspapers can keep their smart young people, particularly in light of Freedom Communications CEO Scott Flanders’ view that “Some reporters will not survive the huge cultural change that needs to happen as we move to a 24-7 operation.” (Via WN:IIN)
I hope he meant that some reporters and managers will not survive. That, anyway, is my key requirement for newspapers hoping to keep their smart young people: Knocking a few layers off the managerial wedding cake.
I’m impatient about the changes that we all know need to happen. I’m guessing quite a few people much smarter than me are even less patient and, dare I say it, far more entrepreneurial. Do we seriously expect talented, impatient, entrepreneurial people, young or otherwise, to put up with our strictly hierarchical newsrooms?
“Great idea, whiz kid. A really killer app. Now just take it to your boss. Then up one level of management. Then another. And another. Just a couple more levels to go now. Whoops, looks like you’re not even being invited to the meetings anymore.”
Right. That just screams success.
