End of an Era - or maybe not

At first sight, the "closure" of the News of the World sounds like a good thing for public opinion and a bad thing for the Murdoch empire (ie "News International" for UK purposes) but it is worth a closer look at this attempt by a leopard to change its spots.

First up, although the vast majority of the staff at NoTW have been fired, Rebekah Brooks - former editor and now boss at NI - is still safely in her post because Murdoch Jnr appears to think she has nothing to answer for. Clearly just about everyone else in the UK media and MPs in parliament believe she does, so maybe Rebakah has something on Junior, or Daddy, or Cameron, or Blair, or the lot of them? She clearly knows where some very large and noisy bodies are buried. (Literally?)

Then, we are given to understand that the other main redtop in their stable - The Sun - has been planning to launch a Sunday edition for some months (the domain registration might be real but the timing and registrar used make me feel it is more likely to be a squatting attempt)

A more important consideration is that of money. Murdoch likes money, as it lets him buy up media - television included - around the world. The NoTW though has been a cash cow and helped him not only finance Sky but also cross-financed The Times and his 'quality' press. Without that income stream will he cover the costs of the loss-making Times? Might he (whisper it quietly) decide that the time for physical newspapers has been and gone and sell it off and get out of the print business entirely? It would certainly make financial sense.

We are all, of course, also waiting to see what happens in the final stage of the 'Cable shooting for Murdoch' saga as Jeremy Hunt looks still likely to push his palls take-over of British Sky Broadcasting through. He is alleging that the "fit and proper person" test was part of the initial decision some months ago and that subsequent events cannot change that earlier decision; that he can solely act upon the variety of outlets issue.

The Guardian has stated that the Police will be arresting former NoTW editor Andy Coulson tomorrow morning, which has made me wonder whether the delay is so they can complete the change in the bail laws today before taking him in.

And let us not forget that it isn't only the NoTW that stands accused of this unacceptable behaviour. The Daily Mail group also have questions to answer.

First impressions

Semi-related to my earlier post today I just answered a query elsewhere about the 'secret' of making good first impression. As I used to have to meet new people moreorless daily in past positions I submitted the following answer:

In one job (Global Internet Program Manager, for CHS Electronics Inc) I spent my weeks flying around Europe and further afield and learnt one absolute. Always, but *always*, know how to greet someone in their own language, no matter that they will in all probability want to show off their ability in English. This doesn’t mean just the people you are visiting especially but the receptionist upon arrival (who will be letting them know you’ve arrived and pass on her or his first impression – especially important in sales!).

This also means knowing in advance how to pronounce their name, and getting the personal and family names in the right order (nothing worse than saying ‘Good afternoon Mr John’ instead of Mr Doe). This can also be extended into knowing what the usual styles and standards of ‘business dress’ are in that locale and being suited and booted accordingly (and naturally, unless you are being met at an airport, ensuring you don’t wear your jacket/outer on the plane in case something gets spilled over it but have it in carry-on and change when you pick up your car or jump into the taxi).

Oh – and above all – be friendly! Don’t be scared of them and they won’t be scared of you (unless they know you’ve come to close down their office, in which case you’re already lost.)

The Post Office Problem

Last week there were — allegedly — two days of strikes at the Royal Mail. I say 'allegedly' as I didn't notice any effect, but others report some, so let's presume there were. On Friday the Communications Workers Union announced there would be three more days of industrial action in the coming week.

All this, of course, has meant the media publicising the 'alternative mail services' that supposedly exist, from TNT to a bloke on a bicycle in Portsmouth. Thing is with very few exceptions none of these 'alternative' organisations actually deliver the mail they collect. They cream off the majority of the fee paid for each item, but leave the current Royal Mail postie to actually put it though a letterbox. None of them have a public service obligation to provide a delivery to every property in the country; only the Royal Mail has that requirement set upon it. And how do we expect them to cover the costs of that service if the government lets others take the majority of what is — still — a low per-item fee for that service.

In my view, what is needed is that the cost structure of the cost of a stamp needs to be strongly biased to covering the cost of delivery and not collection (and bulk moving of the mail around the country). There are, clearly, options for great savings on the collection and distribution side of things, yet delivering will always rely on individuals going out in all weathers on foot.

The only alternative would be the loss of the every-delivery-to-the-home service and every person having to visit a postal delivery office to collect their mail, in a similar way to the loss of the milkman delivering everywhere daily. And I'm sure that isn't what we want.