Shaking off the Bad Habits…

So it’s a new year. Time to shake off the bad habits i.e. ordering staff, family, friends to buy books to help them up the bestseller list ala Charles Saatchi – very, very allegedly by the way. (Although at least the purchases were said to be split between book stores and Amazon so the internet giant didn’t clean up again – allegedly once more, you can’t be too careful). And of course make a few well appointed resolutions whether personal or business. For the sake of discussion, not to mention getting away from the embarrassment of listing some tedious personal resolutions, I’d like to stick my head above the parapet to offer a couple of resolutions on behalf of the publishing industry in general. Those being – greater efficiency and an increased amount of innovation.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not saying that the publishing industry is wholly inefficient or scared of innovation because undoubtedly it’s not. But, and there was always going to be an inevitable but, to the same effect there are still some within our industry who seem to view efficiency as a cold and cruel mistress and innovation as monster who could endanger their ‘comfortable’ position.

Change and efficiency should not be feared or ignored. Instead it should be a constant process and integrated as core business principles. Borrowing a horrendous business jargon cliché we all have to ‘think outside the box’ when looking ahead. Do we really need to take months to make a decision on something that might be new and maybe even unproven? Yes we need to carefully evaluate new and existing affiliations and partnerships. Yes we have to monitor costs. And yes we need to have a short, medium and long-term strategy in mind. But does this mean we can’t be flexible or take the odd risk in order to take full advantage of opportunities as and when they arise? The word we’re looking for here is NO. And climbing further up my soapbox whilst relationships are vital, there is no reason for the publishing industry to be the closed shop that it sometimes is. We need to engage more diverse skills to push the industry forward.

This isn’t a tirade against the industry, quite the opposite. As a sector filled with passion, mine included, my wish for the year ahead is that we build on the heady mix of passion, integrity and expertise by not only looking at new ways to do things but also striving to do the many good things we already do, even better.

So, I’ve shown you mine now you show me yours, what are your hopes, resolutions and wishes for the industry in 2014?

Tom Chalmers
Managing Director
IPR License

Related Articles

Sign up to our Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

BookMachine Ltd. will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.