Clear internal obstacles

 Exit the echo chamber

 Forge new alliances

The clarity, consistency and credibility of an organization’s external communications are directly limited by the clarity, consistency and credibility of its internal communications.

That’s why we pay close attention to the internal alignment of organizations we work with, and, when necessary, suggest straightforward ways to increase objective-driven consensus.

Once internal hurdles are cleared, a daunting organizational challenge is the need to rethink external audiences and communications habits. Many organizations only reach out to a small universe – an echo chamber– of the usual target audiences, allies and associates.

Routine communications are critical, but they don’t often result in breakthroughs. Fieldwork will help you expand your communications range.

Times change, and so do operating conditions. Today, organizational viability is often determined by a broad range of stakeholders. Geographically, culturally and politically diverse, sometimes agenda-driven, and at least potentially adversarial, they will ultimately determine whether or not you succeed in reaching your objective.

Think of it this way. If you cannot get there – all the way there – without them, then they are stakeholders in your enterprise.

 Public awareness campaigns

 Issue management

 Stakeholder networking

Our public awareness work is based in the belief that communications are most effective when they are localized and personalized. When practical, we will propose “low-tech/high-touch” solutions to your communications challenges. When these alone will not suffice, we create and manage innovative programs to connect with large, diverse audiences.

Our issue management expertise was developed in the high-stakes environment of political campaigning, and it recognizes that successful issue management planning and implementation is based in common-ground values, integrity and plain talk. And that’s before you meet with reporters.

Government agencies and tribes, associations and corporations – all require new ways of thinking about and engaging with stakeholders. In the absence of effective stakeholder networks built around common concerns and shared responsibility, these organizations will gradually lose ground to competitors and their own inertia.