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Overall:
The words "finalize," "test" and "training" will be common in the month of May as the rubber starts to meet the road ahead of June's launches.
How we operate: We are finalizing our Policies and Procedures document, which covers such areas as orientation/training, quality control, communication, deadlines and tech support.
What Saxotech will look like: We're wrapping up our customization of the Saxotech system based on the decisions we made in April. For your Saxo term of the week: We've set up "workbenches" (basic desktop arrangements) for newsrooms and the Design Houses based on their needs. Also, template and library work continues at a rapid pace as well as file testing.
Training, part 1: Members of the launch team are gathering in Downers Grove through today along with representatives from local newspapers to go through Saxotech training and review newsroom training plans. Ryan Williamson from Canandaigua, Anna Derocher from Rockford, Jason Piscia from Springfield and Nicole Simmons from Massachusetts will be key to local launches and also tapped for select launches across the company.
Training, part 2: Newspapers launching in June should have received their training dates for two sets of sessions. First is regional in-person training on new newsroom content initiatives. Second is hands-on Saxo training via webinar. The two go hand in hand. The first sets the table for the second as well as the transition to Design House.
Training, part 3: We have set the first round of copy editor/page designer Saxotech training for the Design Houses for the week of May 21. This involves staff transferring over from their respective local newspaper offices to the Design Houses.
Early, early, early: If you've ever been through a new computer or press installation, this will sound familiar. We are working with newsrooms to establish launch-window early deadlines (hour early for dailies, day early for weeklies) to ensure on-time delivery. Both local newsrooms and Design Houses will be adjusting to a new way of working and a new content management system. The early deadlines are temporary and will be dissolved once we get comfortable with this big change.
Framingham:
Workstation cubicles have gone up in the future sales department so the sales staff can move next week and allow construction in the future Design House. See our weekly construction gallery!
Webinars with local publishers and editors from across the country continue for summer launches, just as they have for Rockford.
Rockford:
It's getting loud! Three offices have been torn down to make a more open Design House room, and wiring and lighting have been pulled out of the ceiling. New lights and an electrical panel will be installed this week. See our weekly construction gallery!
June staffing is in place, and July offers are pending.
We are attending a job fair this week that attracts more than 1,000 people as well.
