Communication strategy is more important than ever in today's rapidly changing dynamic world.
The success of a project will often be impacted on the successful communication with people who are directly impacted by a project. These people can be internal to an organisation or external. What they have in common is they are all known as stakeholders.
At Beckon, we use blended models of communication strategy approaches.
We believe and advocate for the use of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) standards. This model is often blended with PROSCI change methods to understand how people will react to change in processes. It is the communication and change specialist's job to help guide the communication and change phases for the best outcomes for both the project and the impacted person(s).
Often times conflict is a sign that there is not enough communication, and definitely not enough participation and engagement with stakeholders who are impacted. It is our job to help organisations understand and identify which stakeholders are directly and indirectly impacted and develop strategies to reduce the impacts and get to agreement.
Part of engagement of directly impacted stakeholders, means developing trusted relationships that have a two-way communication. This means that you (the organisation) will receive feedback, and respond. It also means on some matters you (the project) will be flexible to hear the concern of the stakeholder and change your response.
A communication and engagement strategy builds in time for communication in a two-way flow, and time for responses and changes. This response cycle builds trust and credibility to help create a community.
If you need help creating a community with your stakeholders, please contact us, to see how we can help you create a strategic communication and engagement plan.