Overworked & Feeling Overwhelmed …
In the business world, specialization plays an important role in fostering growth. However, radio has taken a different approach. In many cases what was once a department has now become a job description for one person.
It’s A New Day …
Imagine a time-travelling programmer from the year 1994. That person would be in for a shock, seeing major and medium market Program Directors now operating like small town businesses. That brings me to a recent cell phone conversation I had that I bet many of you can relate to.
Brand Manager: Sam, since the beginning of the year, too many of our promotional events have not come off very well and I wind up getting all the heat. We just got rid of our night guy and due to budget cuts, I lost my Music and Promotions Director. I don’t mind a challenge or work, but I am on the air and am now the PD/MD and my own Promotions person. Things are getting out of hand. We have two direct competitors. Any advice would be welcomed.
Coach: Is your company actively looking to get another Promotions Director?
Brand Manager: I’ve been told possibly not until sometime in the first quarter of next year. And before you ask, I’m not getting a new Music Director. It’s a company wide thing with the MD. Like I said, I need some advice.
Coach: Do you have any interns?
Brand Manager: We did until this year. Something happened, but HR and no one in upper management or corporate will talk about it.
Coach: I’m assuming you’ve already started delegating some of your responsibilities and probably voice tracking your show more.
Brand Manager: Yes, to both things you just mentioned, but that does not help me with scheduling all these music logs. I’m responsible for three stations and one is a translator. And with Promotional duties, I’m sitting in on client meetings more than I’d care to.
Coach: You’re already burning out and you can’t afford to do that. It’s important to accept that when you delegate, the other person might get the job done differently than you might have. Remember the goal is getting more done without you having to do it all.
Brand Manager: Staff wise, it’s down to me, an afternoon person, and evenings. I mentioned I’m on the air, I do middays and my morning show is syndicated. The other 2 stations are voice tracked from other cities within our company.
Coach: I can tell from how you sound on this call that you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Brand Manager: I can’t seem to get ahead, and everything feels like a spur of the moment thing. My to-do list looks like a sketch pad.
Coach: I hear you. Here’s what I suggest you do. Put together a detailed manual for every possible thing you’re handling around the stations. It should cover everything from on-air contesting to sales/marketing promotional events. I suggest that you create “Fill-in the blank” paperwork templates so you don’t have to create things from scratch all the time. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and energy.
Brand Manager: Okay, I’ll try that, cause my to-do-list isn’t cutting it.
Coach: Be anal about it. I’m not kidding, make your manual a “how to” for any and everything you need done on a daily basis. I don’t want you to have to ever use your energy to think about another mundane task. You’ll find yourself feeling more focused and in control of what’s happening around you. And before you even ask, yes, I was stuck in a situation, not quite as bad as yours, but bad enough that I came up with the manual idea. I hope it works for you too.
Brand Manager: Thanks.
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