BA/PA unveils shadowing scheme

16.11.11 | Lisa Campbell - The Bookseller

A cross-industry shadowing scheme allowing publishers and booksellers to offer work placements to one another has officially launched today (16th November), with publishers Little, Brown, Penguin, Dorling Kindersley, Profile Books and Simon & Schuster on board.
The scheme was jointly created by the Publishers Association and the Booksellers Association to encourage more understanding and awareness between the two industries, with work placements of a day or more beginning from January next year.
The booksellers involved in the scheme so far include independents Mabecron Books; Jaffé and Neale Bookshop; The New Bookshop in Cockermouth, Cumbria; and Victoria Park Books.
The PA and BA said announcements about more publishers and booksellers involved in the initiative would soon follow. During the work placements, booksellers will be able to meet publishing staff and attend sales, marketing and acquisitions meetings. Publishers in turn will be involved in the processes of book ordering and searching, as well as customer liaison at different booksellers.
Richard Mollet, chief executive of the PA, said: “The publishing and bookselling industries have historically depended upon a strong mutual understanding of each other’s businesses, so the Professional Shadowing Scheme is a natural extension of that partnership. The scheme should encourage better awareness and understanding between the two industries in terms of how each operates and performs and, as a result, should enhance the working relationship between publishers and booksellers.”
Tim Godfray, chief executive of the BA, said: “At a time when collaboration and communication is at such a premium, we encourage all our members to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to invite publishers into their businesses, and in turn to embrace the chance to spend time working on the ‘ other side of the fence’.
This first pilot stage will run from January 2012 until April 2012, and is open to all levels of staff. All members are encouraged to offer placements and nominate individuals to take part in the shadowing scheme.
Details of the scheme can be found on the PA’s website: www.publishers.org.uk