Na Na Na Hey Hey Budget Cuts!

[MacNCheez]

well, it's that time of year, December, the month for Budget Cuts at Clear Channel Oklahoma City, hmm..what tune should i be singing, Should I Stay or Should I Go, or Na Na Na Hey Hey Good bye!

Many changes to come for the cluster, or shall we say 5 guys with 10 different duties.

SMACK!

 

[JBizzle]

Having spent a good deal of time in that building, I wonder where exactly the budget goes.

The equipment it decrepit, particularly the woefully inadequate computers, only a few production rooms have been updated in the last 15 years.

The only thing that has been updated as far as I'm concerned is the 10th floor (business offices). Oh, and the new furniture that is gotten on trade (barter) from Stows.

All in all the whole place is something of embarrassment when you consider what the offices are a part of. The "Evil Empire" of ClearChannel.

That is the biggest part of the reason I left radio full time. I refuse to work with sub par equipment, if I can keep up to date with the latest electronics, surely a multi-million dollar operation can find enough money in their budget.

But what do I know?

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Who fires people strickly for budgetary savings just before Christmas anyway? Couldn't they have picked earlier in the year? Do they care that little for their help?

 

[JBizzle]

It's one of the potential failures of any business model that uses the calendar year as the fiscal year and schedules it's budgets as such.

It ain't about heart its about logic and unfortunately the best and brightest do not see radio as a viable means of making money and engaging a career.

So we get people who may be really good at radio, but most of them don't have the "mind" that we would expect from other aspects of the business world.

Let's face it, the best advice you can give most people who are looking at getting into radio is the same advice I got years ago from both Mark Shannon and Brad Copeland.....Don't.

 

[RadioFMWave]

Radio is a business. Too many people don't treat it that way. They show up and go through the motions.

Suit up like you are playing to win the Heisman. Play hard and use everything you have. The days of "Dr. Fever" are over. No more show-and-go. Or 4 and the door.

There are several people in OKC and TULSA that are doing well in this business. Always exceed the expectation of your boss. Don't suck up. They don't like it. They just want to see that you are preforming at 110%. If you are a jock, don't just go through the motions. Don't sit on the phone with your girlfriend during your shift. Don't surf E-bay and watch soap operas. Turn off your cell phone in the studio,

Make a resolution for 2008 that you will put on a show everyday and not just do a shift. Do some show prep. Answer the phones and talk with the listeners. Say something compelling. Sound like you are having fun.

In the production room, create award winning commercials. Don't just slap something together.

Take the time to teach a young person how to be a good broadcaster. Didn't someone help you too?

Radio is fun and we are fortunate enough to get to do something we like.

At remotes, talk with people. Talk with the client. Earn your talent fee. Make it look fun.

Look around the radio station and see what else you can do to help. Your boss is probably busy and wouldn't mind some help. When is the last time you took the liberty to take on a project without being asked? Clean the studio, organize the prize closet.

Listen to your airchecks. Don't wait for a formal session with the PD.

Ask your PD to aircheck you. If they are too busy (shame on them) ask a fellow broadcaster to listen to your work.

The PD should be helping the GM and/or OM.

Every business has changed over the last 10 years. Adapt or get out. There are plenty of people that like their jobs and love going to work everyday. I promise that the grass is not greener somewhere else.

in 2008, make a difference. No need to attack this post. I am just trying to help you. Peace!

 

[MacNCheez]

That guy who gave us all the advice is living in a dream world. What do you think we do, we bust our butts corporate don't care, all they want is the $$$$$....here is some advice....they don't care.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Here's a little different take on the real world of today's corporate radio. They DO care, but the only care about how many different hats you can wear so they can save, save, save. If a person wants to survive in today's corp. radio find several different things to do that are fairly high profile (but doesn't have to be glamourous of course) and do them acceptably. It's all about making the man money and "handling things" instead of being the best talent, etc. The dependable utility guy that can do lots of useful things and never grumbles about it will be the one that wins. Don't bitch about having to go handle a stack of production. Don't bitch about having to go do those damn car dealer remotes. Take their money and fly under the radar. Those that make waves these days or are precieved to be doing little to nothing for the bottom line will, ultimately, be wacked from the bottom line. Those that pay the bills and saleries could care less how great you did the last break. They do care how useful you are around the building. If a person is precieved to useless they'll eventually be eliminated on the next round of cuts. Effectively look busy 100 percent of the time if you can. That's what management REALLY wants to see.