We’ve published more than 26,000 issues of the Daily Record and for the past 17 years Realty/Builder Connection has been our partner and an important member of our family.
With each issue of our publications, we share tons of information with readers that include hundreds of facts.
Occasionally, as hard as we try to always be correct, there are errors.
Sometimes we get a fact wrong. And, although it very rarely happens, we may misinterpret a story or misconstrue a nuance.
The September Realty/Builder was another good issue by most standards, but I’ll be the first to admit it had a couple of imperfections.
I, and everyone else at Bailey Publishing, take that very seriously. Our first responsibility is to “get it right.”
At the top of the list of goals that are important to us is giving great personal service and building strong relationships with our customers and the community.
Maybe we’re old fashioned.
When you call the Daily Record during our business hours, you won’t be greeted by an answering service and be directed through a series of prompts before you talk to a real person. Instead, you start out with someone who will be friendly and helpful.
Our people are trained to understand that “I don’t know” is not an answer. If you have a question, we’ll find you an answer. If you need help, we’ll find a way to make something happen.
Building and maintaining relationships is a big part of what we do. We invest money and human capital in nonprofit groups, public service and by forming positive and meaningful partnerships with Realtors and builders.
At Bailey Publishing, our mantra is, “We make you better.” We believe that is our mission. Our goal as partners with Realtors and builders is to do what we can as a publication — and a company — to make your organizations stronger and provide information that will increase your ability to become a better and more successful professional.
All of this is to say that if and when you see that we’ve made a mistake, call me. If you have an issue with something we’ve printed, call me.
I’m very accessible and I want to deal with it.
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Over the next month, don’t be surprised if you hear or see information about the Daily Record celebrating its 100th Anniversary in November. We’re very proud of that milestone.
For the entire century, the company has been owned and/or managed by our family.
For the past 37 years, I’ve been swinging at this ball every day. We’re always looking for ways to improve. But one thing that has remained constant at the Daily Record is our rock-solid commitment to Jacksonville.
As I look back, it seems to me that there have been two significant changes in our industry. Both of them impact the mechanics of how news is delivered.
The first change for me was when we went from a metal, hot-type printing format, to offset. The Daily Record was one of the first newspapers in the state to make the change.
The second big change has been the emergence of the Internet. At the Daily Record we have embraced the Internet and its multiple uses, but I don’t believe the Internet can take the place of a newspaper.
I think people still believe in what a newspaper represents. No matter the form of delivery, hard copy or electronically, news is still prepared and written by reporters and journalists on our payroll. In addition, in this state, 50 percent of people over 65 and 28 percent of Hispanics and African-Americans still don’t have access to the Internet.
Since 2007 and during this economic meltdown, I also have seen that people are starving for information. Business leaders are looking for ways to survive and they want to know how other people are successful.
Today, I find people are eager to be creative, more willing to take risks and looking for ways to reinvent themselves.
We remain proud that every day — without interruption — the Daily Record and Realty/Builder provide our real estate, business and legal community with the news and information that helps make them better.
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Finally, I want to thank the agent that called me last month to discuss Downtown. She is a lifelong resident who was here when Downtown was the hub of activity and the epicenter of Jacksonville.
She called to tell me how wrong I was. After listening for 10 minutes, I found myself agreeing, but agreeing that we haven’t done enough nor done what is needed.
When you see the opportunities this city has to offer, the foresight of leadership to guide us through consolidation, there is no reason we are not the envy of America.
Negative influences are always going to impact our reputation, but have very little influence if we are powering through with pride, consensus and bold leadership.
I was never fond of the slogan “Bold New City of the South”, I am convinced to be successful, we need to be a “Bold City.”
— Jim Bailey is publisher of Realty/Builder Connection and president of Bailey Publishing & Communications Inc. He can be reached at [email protected].