>> All right, people. Let's get started.
Now, the reason I brought you in today
is because advertising revenues have been
declining steadily in the last six months.
In fact, we're down about 14%
from where we were last year at this time,
and that's with
the economy booming.
People, we've got
to turn this around.
Now, I've been thinking, and I've
decided what we're going to do.
First off, you're spending
far too much time in the office.
I want you out on the street
looking for those new clients
about 60% of your time.
And we're going to initiate
an accounting system
so I can keep track
of where you are.
Also, I want you calling on at least
five new potential clients every week.
Now, name me one potential client
that you can call on this week.
Frances?
>> Well, there's that
new copy place
going into the vacant building
on the corner of Fremont and Grand.
I'll stop by there.
>> Good. Sarah?
>> Um, that bicycle shop on East High Street
that used to advertise with us.
Ben was a salesman
before he left.
I can stop in and see why they
stopped advertising with us.
Maybe I can talk the owner
into a display ad for Sunday.
>> All right. Who's next? Trisha?
>> Okay, people. Let's get started.
Now, the reason I brought you in today
is because advertising
revenues for the paper
have been declining steadily
in the last six months.
Besides that, we're down about 14%
from this time last year,
and that's with the economy booming.
Now, we've got to turn that around.
I've got some ideas
about what we need to do,
but I want to hear from you
all and get your input,
and see if maybe there's
something I'm missing.
What do you think we could be doing
that would change that situation?
Frances?
>> My biggest problem is finding
the time to develop new business.
One of the things that slows me down
a lot is this new computer system.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Because the forms are not
arranged in a logical way,
they take twice the time to complete.
>> I agree completely. We're completely
duplicating our reporting information,
putting it in once into the computer
and then once out on the form.
If we could simply enter the data
once into the computer,
and then print it it out on the form,
we'd all save a lot of time.
>> So, what I'm hearing is,
if we could just ask for that computer input,
get the printout, we'd be saving
a lot of time, freeing up time.
>> Yes.
>> You bet.
>> Okay. I think we can
get that arranged.
I will talk to Accounting and see
if we can't get that system changed.
Now, what are you gonna do
with the free time?
>> On my way into work the past few weeks,
I've noticed a bunch of small businesses
moving in that new mall area
on the south side of town.
A special promotion featuring all of them
in one ad would be a great idea.
I just haven't had time to think about
putting together a creative proposal.
If that work-duplication problem is fixed,
I'll be able to do that.
>> Okay. Are you talking
about a special supplement?
>> Yes, one that would feature
the new mall when it's ready to open.
>> Okay. You know, we could probably do that
"in progress" edition in February.
That would save us a little time now,
and give us some time to work on that project.
Good. Okay.
What else can we do
that's going to save us some time?
>> Well, I'm concerned that we spend
a lot of time on the phone
doing things our secretaries could easily do.
For instance, I work with the car dealers,
and the only thing they have to do
are change the specific prices
and the cars on their layouts.
I don't need to be the one on the phone
taking care of that information.
If our staff could do that, I could go outside
the office and take care of some new business.
>> You know, Trisha, I'm really glad to hear
you talking about getting out of the office.
I think that's where it's at.
We don't get out there and make those calls,
how are we gonna do any sales?
Let's see if we can think of
any other ways that we can free up time
and get out of the office.
>> Okay, let's get started. Now, the reason
I asked you in today is because we have a problem.
Advertising revenues are down
significantly in the last six months.
In fact, we're down about 14%
from this time last year,
and that's with the economy booming.
Now, the bosses are on me.
We've got to figure out something
to do to turn this around.
What do you guys think?
>> I think I'm chained to my desk.
I can't break loose to develop new business.
The new computer system --
it takes twice the time it should.
You have to do things twice.
The forms are not logical, and they cannot
be printed from the computer information.
>> Right. In fact, we're duplicating
all of our reporting information.
I want to be able to enter the data
into the computer once,
and then simply print it out on the forms
in any order that Accounting needs it.
Does anybody want to go down to
Accounting to get the forms changed?
>> Yes, I'll go with you.
>> You know, if we cut our paperwork time in half,
maybe I'll be able to find time
to drum up some new business.
A big promotional ad for the businesses
going in that new mall
on the south side of town
would be a great idea.
I just haven't had a spare moment
to put together a creative proposal.
>> Hey, that would be a good idea
for the "progress" edition in February.
I can work together
with you on that, Scott.
>> You know, we aren't using the abilities
of our secretaries, either.
A lot of the stuff that we take care of
is information that they could handle.
They just need a little training.
Anyone want to work on a training plan?
>> Sure.
>> Well, great.
You guys have got some ideas,
now run with them.
Let me know what you come up with.
>> Okay.