Press Association

 Course overview

Today's editor needs to be much more than a wordsmith. You need to run and inspire a team, manage your time, deal with problems, handle budgets, sort out legal issues, recruit staff and learn to delegate – as well as understanding advertising, circulation, marketing and the online challenges.

Who the course is for

All editors struggling with the challenges above, especially those new to the job or those being groomed for an editor's position.

Learning objectives

  • Handling your time better
  • Understanding your skills and those of your team Inspiring your team
  • Ensuring that change succeeds
  • Learning to delegate better
  • Dealing with problems
  • Handling higher management
  • The money side of the business
  • Creating a better product with limited resources Making the most of the internet

Course outline

Handling your time better

  • Editors often feel that as the most senior person, they have to be able to be involved in every aspect of the business. Soon, they are working late, at weekends and skipping holidays. We look sat where the problems arise, from emails and endless meetings, and show you how to say “No.”

Understanding your skills and those of your team

  • A great editorial team has a wide range of skills. All too often, it has big gaps. We identify your team's strengths and weaknesses, and look at how to recruit the ideal person for a vacancy, including writing an eye-catching job ad

Inspiring your team
  • Great editors need to be leaders. They need to get their team to carry them to the top of the mountain and feel they've enjoyed doing so, rather than drag them there, kicking and screaming. We'll teach you to get the best from each member of the team, and how to use appraisal to motivate people.

Learning to delegate better
  • Many editors fail to delegate properly because it's quicker to do it themselves or because there's nobody up to the task – or they do the opposite and delegate without giving people the skills to do the job. We'll show you how to let go of the tasks you can divest, clearing the way for the things that only you can do.

Dealing with problems
  • There will always be problems. The secret is dealing with them before they turn into a crisis. Is the problem really want you think it is, or could there be other factors you need to consider. We'll show you how to sort out everything from personality clashes to demotivated people – and ensure you understand your legal liabilities.

Handling higher management

  • It's not just your staff that you need to deal with; often the problems come from people above you. How do you deal with them so that you and your boss get the outcome you want?

Ensuring that change succeeds
  • It's said that 75% of change fails. We look at the reasons this happens, and how to deal with the negatives to ensure your changes are the ones that work and continue to work.

The money side of the business
  • Many editors are flummoxed when confronted by a spreadsheet. This is to their disadvantage. This course helps you to understand the figures, ensures you're on top of the finances and can plan accordingly.

Creating a better product with limited resources
  • Every editor would like more money. But when the finances are tight, how can you organise things to ensure you're making the most of your resources and getting the best from every member of your team – including yourself? This includes a detailed look at your magazine, newspaper or website.

Making the most of the internet
  • Once it was a sideline. Now it dominates publishing. Getting the best from your website is critical these days, whether it's the site itself or your use of social media. 

Our partners, Press Association Training will be delivering this course on behalf on Journalism.co.uk.


Getting there

This course will be held at Press Association 292 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1AE



About Press Association

The Press Association (PA) is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland and a leading multimedia content provider across web, mobile, broadcast and print. For the last 147 years PA has been providing fast, accurate feeds of text, data, photos and video. Today the business is increasingly focused on the delivery of complete products for both digital and print clients. 

The Press Association Training courses are specifically tailored to ensure they include the very latest developments in the rapidly changing world of the media.

All of PA's trainers are working journalists or PR professionals with the most up-to-date knowledge who always shape courses to the individual needs of those attending.