What is this Corporate Strategy all about?

24 August 2011

So I have now started work with Robert Skeffington and it has been quite challenging. I feel that i'm being asked to look at facts and issues in a whole new light.
Robert has a favourite "SO WHAT?" rule which is a really good gauge of whether a fact or an issue is relevant or not. This one rule alone has really made me reconsider a lot of facts and its usefulness for our business.

As part of this corporate strategy piece, also in the team are Brooke Krumbeck and Tash Meinertzhagen who are both Sydney based. I am learning how to work efficiently in a virtual team environment with me being the only one based in Auckland and so it is not without its challenges. We start the day with a quick email outlining what we are working on for the day. Then I log into skype and keep in touch with Brooke through IM and depending on what's going on, Robert usually checks in with a Video call.

The issues I am dealing with are both macro and micro (to a certain extent) and my understanding of the business so far does hold me in good stead as there are a lot of insights that can be gained when one has working knowledge of the department or good relationships with key people in those areas.

On a seperate topic, the new fast track group has also started after their week long induction with Danielle and Gabe posted to NZ Magazines and NZ Herald respectively. Sid too has just started his new project with NZ Media and is also in the building. We're taking over this place...!!

ps. the Rugby World Cup is now just a little over a fortnight away and i can't wait. Go the ALL BLACKS!

Online and ready to go

11 May 2011

My project revolves around reviewing current content management tools and processes and providing a fresh perspective on what is being done well and what could be done better.

So, before I can give any recommendations, I need to understand what the system currently is and how it works. And for this reason, i have spent all of this week, meeting with people who are part of the Online content management team in Auckland.  These individuals are part of different teams where they are responsible for what goes up on the websites for the different mastheads for APN NZ (namely, nzherald.co.nz, all regional websites, NZ women's weekly and NZ listener).

It was a good learning process where i got the chance to sit down with both the online editors to see what they do on a day to day basis as well understand why a certain story which shows up on the front page is there. You would be surprised at the thought that goes into this instead of updating stories as they flow in.

The remainder of this week will also be quite similar where i will continue this journey to firstly understand why things are being done the way they are and then, how exactly do the people who do this, do it?

If that hasn't confused you enough, please feel free to come back in about a week's time where I should have some more clarity!

On a separate note, the Fast Track positions are now shut for 2011 intake and the recruiting company is now vetting these applications as they go through a series of steps before they are shortlisted down to the final assessment centre in June.

Best of luck to everyone who applied.

Sid is also now in Auckland and has started work with The Radio Network and will be here for the next three months. I look forward to showing him around my city and a healthy dose of kiwi hospitality :)

A new desk and a new audience.

5 May 2011
Before I give you all an update on my new project, I would like to touch briefly on my experience yesterday with The Radio Network where I go an opportunity to present to a group of people who were interested in the Fast Track Program. I gave a presentation that was structured by Sid Rallapalli and then added to by Tracy Martin. I modified the content to suit my style of presentation and then invited discussion from the group on what they could expect from the program while trying to be as clear as I could about their queries.
This went on for about an hour and 15 mins and the feedback that I got was that everyone in that room felt quite comfortable with the next steps in the process and what to expect from the program itself.

Mission Accomplished!


And now on to my new project. Something that I have now become very familiar with is introducing myself to people. For the next 3 – 6 months I will be based at APN Online (NZ) and working with Jeremy Rees on some content management recommendations. I cant disclose much more as I still need to get to the nitty-gritty of it myself.


The deadline for applying for the fast track intake is fast approaching for internal candidates. I am looking forward to seeing who makes it to the assessment centres in Auckland and Sydney!