Communication teams are too often required to grapple with fulfilling short-notice stakeholder requests (which, to bystanders, can seem like demands to achieve magic).
Hate to disappoint, but a communications professional with a hidden wand capable of instantly conjuring solutions is rare.
They may exist, but it is more likely that effective communication will take time and planning.
What could help is stakeholders supporting their comms colleagues – especially when it is a solo operator – by doing some pre-work.
It could involve gathering facts and figures, conducting initial research, finding examples of a preferred approach, or considering what success could look like.
Your collaborative approach will be appreciated and integral to the process.
It does not mean dictating the comms person’s task list. The comms person is the expert – with the skills and experience to know what to do.
Instead aim to provide insights and resources to inform their decisions and strategies.
Ask yourself some critical questions in advance of meeting with your comms team and avoid miscommunication, save you both time and energy.
Here are some of our favourite pre-meeting questions:
⏭ What communications are you currently using?
⏭ Do you have any measures on the effectiveness of your efforts?
⏭ What are the biggest challenges you face in your communication efforts?
⏭ Who are your primary and secondary audiences?
⏭ Do you have sufficient resources – time, budget and personnel – to achieve your communication wishes?
By addressing these questions, even Muggles can help communication professionals to develop strategies, overcome challenges and share in the project’s success.