So what is the CSG?
As we begin a new column from the Christian Suppliers Group its Chairman, Ian Metcalfe, starts off by giving a bit of background to the organisation and what it is for
Welcome to what we plan to be a regular contribution from members of the Christian Suppliers Group (CSG). Although the Christian Resources Together event gave us a chance to all get to know each other better across the trade, the CSG may still seem a bit of a shadowy organisation to some, so I thought it would be best to start with a simple outline of who we are and what we do. The CSG’s fundamental remit has not changed
since it was first set up 15 or 20 years ago, but its fortunes and influence have waxed and waned considerably. Its purpose is simple: to offer a place where publishers, wholesalers and other product suppliers can get together, share their difficulties (and hopefully work towards some solutions), and to help us make a positive contribution to our trade as a whole. At our AGM three years ago we reassessed
some key elements in how the CSG works and what we’re here for. We changed the way we work, so that the full membership are much more involved all through the year, rather than a committee beavering away but rarely emerging into the open; and after a long and heated discussion we resolved on three key areas of concern to pursue intently: data, training, and trade liaison.
Data Firstly, then, we wanted to get a clear picture
of the true size of the Christian market in the UK, and have been exploring both an interim option of publisher-supplied data, and what promises to be a fuller long-term solution, a project with Nielsen Bookscan to use their data to create a Christian Market Yearbook – which will have the side benefit of encouraging them to engage more fully in the task of improving coverage across the Christian trade.
Training
Secondly, we wanted to offer cost-effective training and opportunities to share best practice. We held a highly successful Introduction to Publishing course for junior staff last year, and this year are focusing on an Editorial-oriented course, as well as organising other get-togethers. The possibility of sharing training resources with the BA-CBG has been mooted and could be a great opportunity to build relationships further.
Trade Liaison
Which neatly brings us to the third and final element, the most important topic of all, trade liaison. We have been very much encouraged by the opportunities to get alongside the BA-CBG, particularly over the need to offer a specific event for publishers and booksellers to get together and build relationships – and we are tremendously grateful for CRE’s positive and gracious response to this, culminating in the creation of the High Leigh event that was held in May. That’s not the be all and end all of what we do,
of course. Other needs and interests come and go, and as we welcome new member organisations and see new faces at our meetings our focus is always open to adjustment – or wholesale change. The point of CSG is only and always to be what our members need us to be, so if you’re a supplier, please join in! And even if you’re not, we’d still love to hear your ideas. Despite today’s challenges, we are confident we will all benefit from sharing information and ideas across the trade.
KJV 400 – opportunity for collaboration In closing I just want to mention what could be
the biggest opportunity for successful partnerships and collaboration for decades, as we celebrate 400 years of the King James Version of the Bible. Lots of us have our own projects ongoing, but the Biblefresh initiative offers a uniquely powerful banner under which we can all unite and collaborate, and a great opportunity to talk to churches about what they could be doing to celebrate this major landmark, encouraging them to reach out to their communities and engage their membership not just with the Bible itself, but with books, theology courses and evangelistic opportunities. Here at Hodder we have been working with Soul Survivor to get young people reading the Bible in One Year, and Mike Pilavachi’s words from the back cover seem highly appropriate: “Let’s do this together!”
by Ian Metcalfe
“The point of CSG is only and always to be what our members need us to be.”
Ian Metcalfe is Publisher, Bibles and Digital at Hodder Faith, and Chairman of the Christian Suppliers Group.
CSG EQUIPPING
www.christianmarketplace.org.uk October 2010 17
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