If employees at one newspaper have solved a particularly tough problem, or found a way to increase efficiency or quality or to decrease costs, other newspaper managers should hear about it.
Why? For one thing, newspapers that achieve excellence deserve to be recognized. For another, this type of recognition tends to reinforce and encourage excellence throughout the industry. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, an excellent procedure or use of technology at one newspaper can often be adopted by others. Hence our latest idea--the TechNews Best Practices Awards.
These awards are designed to recognize operational excellence at member newspapers in areas corresponding to the regular TechNews departments: Pre-Press, Press, Materials, Post-Press and On Site. They will debut at NEXPO®'96 in Las Vegas. Each award will consist of $1,000, a trophy and a detailed write-up in our July/August issue.
Your nominations will be judged by TechNews' board of contributing editors. This highly qualified group of newspaper experts will debate the merits of each nomination, and the awards will go to the innovators that attract the most votes in each category.
The primary selection criterion will be the potential of the practice to strengthen our industry. This type of judging favors practices that are individual and innovative--that represent breakthrough thinking and provide strong, measurable returns to the newspaper.
Nominations can be as general or specific as you wish. For example, newspaper X may have found just the right mix of in-house and off-the-shelf computer programs to paginate with high quality on deadline. Newspaper Y may have discovered a way to substantially reduce newsprint consumption without affecting print quality. And perhaps newspaper Z has implemented a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to dispose of hazardous chemicals.
Our major concern is that we receive a sufficient number of quality nominations. That's where you come in. You can help by filling out and faxing back the quick-and-easy nomination form below.
Why should you take the time? There are at least two reasons. One is that your nomination might win, bringing glory to your newspaper (or your friend's or customer's paper--whichever you decide to nominate). The other is that you'll be helping the entire newspaper industry by casting a spotlight on newspaper employees that are engaged in excellence.
Your participation can help to strengthen our industry--and that makes all of us winners.
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