We all need somebody…
Bill Withers said it best. No matter how talented or how smart, we all need somebody to lean on — to test ideas, check assumptions and find solutions.
Saving local journalism is hugely rewarding - but it isn’t easy. Get the help you need to make yourself and your organization more effective and resilient!
Coaching and Mentoring
Leading a local media organization is hard. You face increasingly-skeptical audiences and increasingly-demanding staff and boards.
Coaching will help you gain perspective and frame issues so you can begin to solve them!
I’m a former reporter and teacher who is endlessly curious and loves to listen. As a leader, I’ve experienced big stumbles and huge successes - both help me be a better coach.
Together, we can navigate the emotional landscape and practical considerations to tackle problems. I provide an outside perspective, a sounding board and a sympathetic ear.
News/Content Analysis
I advise local news organizations about the quality of their content and how it can best align with their revenue strategy.
Support includes reviewing analytics, organizational design and news content and providing a strategic assessment of strengths, challenges and opportunities.
The analysis includes comparing qualitative and quantitative measures on multiple platforms. It also includes a review of the size and composition of the news and/or content team.
These recommendations help leaders to better align the station’s news product with the organization’s mission, and find a revenue strategy to make the news operation more sustainable.
Learning and Facilitation
In a key meeting, you should be able to participate instead of facilitate.
I organize webinars, strategic planning sessions, and conferences around solutions for local journalism.
Webinars are a great way to reach many people quickly - to share information and generate discussion on a topic.
I manage the planning and registration, and also can facilitate the discussion. After, I share notes, documents and a video of the presentation.
I also plan and facilitate retreats and strategic planning sessions that help groups reach clarity.
Strategic Direction
The media world is changing fast. Is your strategic direction keeping up?
I help you create a living, breathing plan that’s short enough to remember and powerful enough to inspire.
I facilitate the process that brings together board members, staff and community supporters to create strategic alignment.
Below is a one-page document that’s an example of what we created at Vermont Public.
It clarified our push to reach a broader and more diverse audience. It is both broad and visionary, while including specific KPIs.
Leadership transition
I advise organizations to ensure executive transitions go smoothly while setting up the next leader for success.
Support includes financial and regulatory compliance, internal and external communications, revenue generation and recruitment and hiring.
I also provide a strategic assessment of the organization’s strengths and challenges for the next leader.
This advisory role takes advantage of existing station leaders, while making sure they have the support, advice and knowledge to run the organization.
2024 Graduate, Interim Executives Academy, Third Sector
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