I was sat in a web editors' meeting yesterday and the topic of digital journalism cropped up. The discussuion that ensued highlighted the differences that exist under the roof of one large company - we have many brands that are in different stages of transition moving from print only brands to multi-media and online brands.
So, one editor of a big online brand made the point that as a company we have been talking about journalists becoming multi-media producers for two years and that journalists should 'get it' by now and that it is the responsibility of managers�to show the way on digital journlaism through clear strategy, appraisal targets,� leadership etc.
On my brand, however, we are lagging because we have been print focussed and have not really concentrated on becoming a multi-media brand. But this is changing and changing fast. So, we have work to do. Hence my summer school programme.
The whole discussion reinforced for me the idea that some training initiatives around this transition to digital journalism must be�carried out�at team level. There are lots of issues around team enagagement and culture change which will not be resolved by sending individual team members on external courses where they are likely to encounter delegates at different stages�of experience, knowledge and skills.��
That's a challenge our new organisational development director is grappling with. There will be far more emphasis on 'local' learning initiatives and support for team members who are keen to train their colleagues. This is a refreshing approach to learning which will be far more enaging for all those involved.