Work the Problem: How Experts Tackle Workplace Challenges

TAKE 1

Commentary by Tom Kaiden

Tom Kaiden is the chief operating officer of Visit Alexandria, in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

I particularly like this case because it reflects a common situation today: external disruption exacerbating internal tension. Open Wide Media is facing environmental pressure because of the economic disruption in the publishing industry. Yet all the internal players, from ownership down to interns, are trying to play by the old set of rules. And the longer they try, the more intractable the problem will get.

The publishing industry was extremely profitable before the digital age, but the major revenue source from that model—print advertising—is drying up. Certainly some online ad revenue has emerged, but not nearly as much ...