Ann Michael

I’ve worked in several companies while they’ve struggled through change. I was with AT&T right after it divested the baby bells. I was with Prodigy (anyone remember that?) when it was trying to create a consumer oriented online news and shopping experience (before AOL even existed). I’ve spent the last six years working with traditional publishers.

If there has ever been an industry smack in the middle of radical change - it's publishing. If you're in the information business the world is a scary place right now.

Or is it?

You can close your eyes and hope everything turns out all right or you can figure out how to participate – and build a thriving business. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I’d like to find out what others think, what they’re doing, and how it’s working for them.

I believe in collaboration.
I believe that when we work together we increase the opportunities for everyone.

OK – so maybe I’m an idealist. I can live with that.

The reality is that people need information and quality is no longer in the eyes of the information provider – it’s in the eyes of the consumer.

How do you take control? There’s the rub - you can’t! That’s what changed. You’re no longer in charge, but you can participate and you can lead.

If you want to make it – you’re going to have to adapt.

I hope that together this blog will help us to open our minds to new ideas – get comfortable with them – and maybe even take them out for a spin!