This year for me has been (almost) all about communication strategies. Clients ranging from a national disability charity to a local healthcare organisation and a university procurement team have asked me to draw up a more strategic approach for them. Whatever their size and whatever their mission, their aim has been to reach more audiences more effectively with their messages. …
How to write a comms strategy quickly
I often work with clients who tell me they really want to work from a comms strategy but they don’t have time to write it. Because I am not (usually) involved in the day-to-day delivery of communications at their organisation, I have the time and space to do the strategic thinking. I can take a step back and look at …
3 point plan for selecting the best channels
I regularly discuss selecting the best communication channels with my clients. They may have been using the same methods for many years, not really knowing why, or they may not be sure what to use for the best, so they try lots of different things. To ensure that you are using the best methods of communication to reach your intended …
A simple technique for finding purpose
Powerful, effective communication has a clear, meaningful purpose. If you don’t know why you are doing something, you can face a lot of unnecessary problems. And/or it can take much longer to reach your desired end point. Without a clear purpose for your communication you may: Send out mixed messages – causing confusion, inaction and maybe even anger Go off …
It’s all in the timing
There are many areas of life where timing is all important. Communication is one of them. This is something that anyone who has ever had to talk to their boss about a difficult project knows very well. Or if you’ve had to persuade a 2-year-old to put their socks on! Cycles of work Working in academic environments has particularly taught …