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MONDAY
Page 42
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With the CM offices located in Surrey and me living in Shropshire, I start my day at the crack of dawn in order to dodge the inevitable Monday morning traffic jams on the M25. It's a familiar story for many involved in road transport—not least drivers—but at least the school holidays mean traffic is lighter than normal.
While kicking the week off with a two-and-a-half hour drive south isn't the ideal preparation, it does at least give me a chance to think, with most of my best story ideas popping into my head somewhere around Banbury!
Meetings, meetings, meetings are the order of the morning in the run-up to the launch in the first week of September. Members of the editorial team are briefed about the new proposals and how we are going to fill the pages. One of the commitments we're making to our readers is that Commercial Motor will have more editorial pages, with more essential information. Deadlines are looming, and
we're working out who's going to deliver what and when. Catch up with the publishing director (the big boss!) mid-afternoon to reassure him that we're on course and within budget; I do my best to satisfy him that we're not plundering the family silver.
CM's new positioning is "The Heart of the Road Transport Industry", and he's keen that all the team keep that in mind, producing a magazine that will appeal to everyone who has a stake in the industry.
TUESDAY
Stay overnight in Sutton, ahead of more meetings, Tuesday is deadline day on the current issue of CM and while I'm mainly working on the relaunch, with the deputy editor Emma Penny away on holidays, I need to get involved reading the final page proofs, and sign off the front cover. Deliberate over the final cover lines, before approving them and sending the page off to the printers.
I have moved to CM from the monthly publication TRUCK, and adjusting to a weekly routine is taking a little getting used to. The faster-moving schedule seems a bit daunting at the moment—so much to do, so little time—although I'm assured I'll get used to it.
WEDNESDAY
My brother has just his management position with a top UK logistics firm to set up his own transport company. He calls first thing to discuss a few issues.
He's kicking off as a two-truck operation with a couple of 7.5-tonners and is about to take on a driver. It's a brave move, but one that if he doesn't do will no doubt gnaw away at him. My old man has been involved in road transport virtually all his working life, so it was inevitable his two lads would find themselves associated with the business.
Spend the day working on the tedium of budget proposals and how we can achieve everything I want on new Commercial Motor without breaking the bank. It's a big goal, but one I'm confident we can achieve.
THURSDAY
Back down to Sutton for more internal discussions. After a crack of dawn start, leave the office early-ish to meet some operators and leasing specialists at Uttoxeter for an evening race meeting. The nags are a close third behind my family and the road transport business as my main passions, and I'm keen to get to the Staffordshire track for the first race... but unfortunately, things don't always work as you want.
Four hours later, I arrive just in time for the last two races. However, I back the last two winners and have a good chance to the chew the fat.
FRIDAY
Meet with well-known Staffordshire operator Barry Proctor at his new offices just outside Stoke. Want to get some new columnists into Commercial Motor and have earmarked Barry as a possible; his passion for the road haulage industry and extensive network of contacts make him better informed than most.
Explain what we want and I'm delighted that he says yes. His fortnightly piece should liven things up!
Another week closer to launch and the show has moved on a step further. The Commercial Motor relaunch is set to hit the shelves on 4 September, so make sure you've reserved your copy...