It hardly seems possible that a speech we gave in Guelph was eight years ago. Time flies.
At the time we were asked to talk about local politics and the Newspaper business, both subjects we are intimately familiar with. As is the custom at these events, questions came from the floor. And as often happens, we were challenged on a point or two from our talk.
One gentleman was curious about the future of Newspapers.
“Where will you be in ten years?” he wondered aloud. We replied, “At work,” to some muted laughter. He came at it again, this time with a little more authority and a reference – “my son tells me print is dead and the internet is taking over.” Being a gracious guest, we left it that, “We hoped to be at work still.”
We are glad we stuck around, because this week represents the largest overall week our company has had – ever.
Had we bailed eight years ago on the advice that the internet was taking over we wouldn’t have seen as nice a paper as we have this week, nor our mailroom bulging at the seams.
We owe that success to many people. First, we have dedicated advertisers, from small businesses starting out to multi-generational firms, to regular insert advertisers that help offset our delivery costs every week. Adding to this list of very important streams of revenue is local governments, which still understand the value and ease of communicating with citizens through their weekly community Newspaper.
Second, we have a great staff – from our smiling receptionist to our friendly sales staff, in-house graphic designers and the largest Newsroom in this area. Our mailroom people handled a record number of flyers this week, meaning everyone put in a few more hours, often outside of their regular schedule, to meet deadlines and get the paper delivered. Our drivers and carriers finish the job for us each week.
Our company, just shy of being in business 50 years, has never forgotten its roots.
There is a measure of humility with these chores, because we know as sure as others in business do, that there will be tough times and struggles. That is business and that is life, as we remind our kids often.
Those rural roots, trenched in soldiering on through good times and bad, also include the necessity of appreciation.
Thanks Wellington, for keeping the Advertiser strong and free.
