Anyway, I can’t express my gratitude enough to those that responded to the survey. Without feedback, a magazine is just an editor talking to himself in a mirror and trying to garner approval from suppliers. Your comments are invaluable. They give us the “proof” you exist. I noted that 75 percent of you are concerned about cyber security. We address yet another aspect of the digital world on page 4 of this issue in our editorial, so ‘nuff said. You are concerned, and you have cause. In addition, 13 percent of you have had losses related to cyber crimes. We expected less, but are
not surprised. It is what it is. One thing you should know about yourselves is that 60 percent of you identify yourselves as business owners. We have addressed the import of this before, but it bears repeating. You know what it means to sign each week the front of a cheque while your employees and vendors all get to sign the back. However, it’s so much more than that. C.E.O.s, presidents, labour officials, government employees and safety committees are all employees. They sign the back. It is you that is bearing the brunt of stupid decisions by government and labour to comply with this or finance that, and it is you that has to figure out how that happens. It’s as if the world has gone through the Looking Glass and logic has reversed. “We want more,” they say, so you have to figure how. One of our commentors remarked that I am “so 1995.” I’m not sure what that means. I hope it’s flattering, since there has never been a successful society that let its children decide the finances. In any event, he or she is wrong. If being born in 1995 is old, then I beat that by nearly another 40 years. If graduating university in 1995 is old, then I beat that by a mile and added a master’s degree. If it matters, I have been “digital” since my first CompuServe e-address (70713.300@compuserve.com) in 1983. My attitude toward digital is not sour grapes. It’s money. Anyway, here’s what you had to say, good and bad. Comment at www.coveringscanada.ca
Yes
Cyber losses suffered by readers
Have you ever hired a business consultant?
Lost access to saved files Loss of information
Have you suffered a loss due to cyber breaches?
No
!"#$%&'()*+,-.)-/
0(
1$*
4
THERE WERE NO BIG SURPRISES in this year’s survey. We kept it short to be respectful, but it’s tough. We continue to get demands from advertisers that we “prove” that you exist by posting digital stuff and then counting it in front of them. I keep pointing out that this exercise proves nothing. That reader response is direct and relates to valuable content. Torlys is a good example. For over 12 years, Torlys had demanded that we introduce this or promote that or notify this or announce that, yet never once has Torlys wanted to address you according to the rules. To me, this indicates an arrogant disdain for you as customers, and I would buy direct from China before using somebody that despises me. Torlys has had the idea that I would be afraid to report its attitude, which I’m not. I probably have just been too patient. Advertise or not, but don’t be pushy. Seriously, of what value is a publisher that is afraid of a manipulative supplier?
No
Yes
Our systems got hacked through our phone line Email got hacked Attachment had ransom ware embedded Hack all my photos from computer Data encryption for cyber security Ransom payout
24
November/December 2020 November/December 2020
4 /1
Here’s what you had to say
. 44
Coverings annual reader survey:
