Jay Kersting's Blog

Answers to what I have been asked the past few months

In the past several months, whether as part of my new job with Midwest CompuTech or when I am out as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador….or maybe just out on my own business, I get asked a lot of the same questions. 

Some people apologize for asking, but I try to assure them that they do not need to.

So, here are the questions and the answers that go along with them.

First – Do you miss working in radio? 

Yes and no.  I miss the on-air part of being in radio.  I really miss the interaction with the listeners, whether on the shows or out in the public.  I do NOT miss getting up at 4:00 am.  And I do not miss all of the stupid and petty crap that Cumulus made me do here in Jefferson City.  To be honest, the best way to answer this is to say that I miss doing radio the way we did it in Knoxville and the on-air part of what I did, what I did…NOT what my employer did, here in Jefferson City.

Second – Do you think you will ever go back in to radio? 

Yes, but at what level I do not know.  Nor do I know when.  The problem is with ownership in radio these days.  Consolidation, starting with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, led to the ownership in broadcasting to be held by very few hands.  When that happened, a lot of “best-practices” were eliminated from the business.  Why?  Because accountants and investment brokers were running radio and TV stations and not broadcasters. 

Think about this.  How often did you see a radio station advertisement on television or a billboard prior to 1996?  And now?

When radio promoted itself on other media, radio flourished.  When radio stopped promoting itself and tried to stand on its own, it failed.  It did take time, but the lack of responsible practices caused radio to fail.

If the big conglomerates split up, whether under the force of their own weight or by regulatory means, and stations or clusters end up with local owners again, then it will again be an attractive industry to work in. 

Until then, I am probably on the sidelines.

I will admit that I made an offer to go back to my oldtime slot, but not as a full-time job.  I would do it, for the right arrangement, so long as I am able to keep my position at Midwest CompuTech as my primary career focus.

Third – Are you staying in Jefferson City? 

Now that I have a job here in Jefferson City, yes, we will be staying.  For how long?  That always depends on our ability to succeed here.  Same reason why we left Knoxville, it was a better (perceived) opportunity for our family.

I like it here.  I enjoy being involved in the community.  I really have enjoyed being an Ambassador with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fourth – Was it an act?  The stuff on the radio…was it?

Short answer, no, it was NOT an act.  If I said it, I believed it.  Sometimes I did use hyperbole and sometimes I feigned outrage.  But overall, it was sincere. 

Sure, I amped things up when I thought the additional impact was needed.  But I never said anything, unless it was obviously in jest, that I didn’t believe. 

Fifth – Did you really vote for Barack Obama?

Yes, I did.  This is my John Kerry moment.  I voted for Barack Obama, before I voted against him.

In the 2008 Missouri Democrat Primary, I did indeed vote for Barack Obama.  I admitted this on the radio.  At the time, I felt that a race between Barack Obama and John McCain would bring out the best in America.

Boy was I wrong.  Later, we all learned that Barack Obama is a misogynist and authoritarian.  The man actually said that he was ready to RULE. 

RULE??!!??  We do NOT have rulers in the United States of America, Mr. Obama. 

I was initially motivated by my desire to vote against Hillary Clinton.  (But I do love my Hillary Pen.)  But I really thought Barack Obama was a different kind of politician.

I was wrong.  He is like many other politicians.  Need proof, look at the people he surrounds himself with.  Bad, bad people…starting with Rahm Emanuel, continuing through David Axelrod.  But look at his choice of people throughout his life.

My parents warned me that I would be judged by the people I surround myself with.  I tried to be careful after getting that advice.

Too bad many other people didn’t get that same advice.  And worse yet than some who have given that advice, don’t use it themselves.

Sixth – Why in the computer biz?

The short answer, because they offered me the job.  The longer answer, it is a return to my professional roots.

History…..back in March 1992, while shopping for a new computer printer, I drove by where a new CompUSA store was being built.  I walked in and asked when they were hiring.  They told me to come back the next morning.  The next morning I was met by a couple of the managers and they interviewed me immediately.  I was asked to give them some urine and a couple of days later I was an employee of CompUSA. 

During my time with CompUSA, I opened five stores and worked in a total of seven.  I held positions in retail management and operations management before I moved to the Corporate Sales Division.  It was in Corporate Sales where I spent most of my time.

Midwest CompuTech needed someone in Jefferson City who knew a lot of people to help grow the Jefferson City office.  My background in radio added to my background in technology sales just seemed to fit together for them.

It is a great company to work for and I really do enjoy what I do. 

Your email:

 

Those are the questions that I have been getting.  If you have others, drop me a line and I will give you the honest answers that you have come to expect from me.