A peek out the box


Some of my younger co-workers say their perception of out-of-the-box thinking at a newspaper is of someone ever-so-slightly opening the top of the box and taking a furtive glance; maybe on a bold day, cautiously extending a moistened finger to check the direction of the wind.

That mental picture is apt, unfortunately, more often than not despite protestations of the contrary. This tends to create "issues" when one or more in the box actually want to stretch a bit. Some suggest a meeting. Others say do market research and analysis. Still others suggest a focus group. And before proceeding, we must review the potential impact on anything and everything else. After a near-endless series of meetings, task forces and planning scenarios, the thought of stretching passes and life continues apace in the box.

One of those who against those obstalces actually got out and stretched is Online Journalism Review Editor Robert Niles. He has a five-step plan to free those left behind.

He says it starts with saying "yes." Check his post for the details on just saying yes and the other four steps.

Tags: |

1 Comment

And this, on the day, The Big Dog died.

Leave a comment



Recent Entries

  • A carnival of wish lists

    Image via WikipediaA roundup of the December Carnival of Journalism is up on the Guardian Developer Blog.My offering was called Just Surprise Me and is...

  • Just surprise me

    This month's Carnival of Journalism is themed for the holiday season.THE TOPICWith it being December, we thought we would adopt a Christmas theme for this...

  • The text message is still a teenager

    Source: Tatango SMS Marketing Cell phone text messaging turns 19 today. How long have you been texting? Related articlesSMS Marketing to College Students (tatango.com)Where...

  • A newspaper company invented the iPad

    And you thought it was Apple. Silly you. Samsung doesn't think so and its attorneys have set out to prove that. Who invented the iPad?...

  • Gannett, NYT launch comment system changes

    Gannett Corp. and the New York Times have rolled out changes to comments on their web sites. Gannett, which had been piloting using Facebook comments...

Subscribe to JackLail.com by Email
Close