There are many difficult decisions to be made by newspapers in the face of new media outlets compounded by falling advertising revenues and, inevitably, any change is likely to be criticised. However, the recent decision by The Observer to remove Simon Caulkin’s Management column is a particularly significant one.
As management consultants we undoubtedly place more significance on this column than the typical Observer reader. However, working with a variety of businesses in many industries, we have learned that one of the important factors in a successful enterprise is providing a distinct offering based on a clear sense of purpose, values and strategy. The Business and Media section marks the Observer out from the mass of weekend newspapers. The features and articles are generally excellent, and the contributions of people such as Will Hutton are unrivalled, however Simon Caulkin’s management column, along with John Naughton’s technology commentary are two small but distinctive elements that provide unique, insightful, intelligent writing that contribute to making the Observer special.
Aas the mass media move towards a lowest-common-denominator approach that increasingly patronise and underestimate their audience, the Guardian and Observer are more important than ever. The decision to axe the Management column is disappointing and, we hope, one that can be reversed.
A campaign has started to attempt get this decision reversed. Please leave a comment below and join the Linkedin and Facebook groups that have been started to protest against this decision.
Linkedin group: http://bit.ly/vZqG7
Facebook group: http://bit.ly/y9tkD
