No one likes to feel left out or overlooked, and when key stakeholders feel that way, the results can be painful and long lasting. I recently conducted a focus group of community leaders who expressed serious concerns about the lack of communication within a significant regional initiative. When I asked the group what could be […]
The 4 Dimensions of a Successful Communications Plan Read More »
Dropping my twins off at preschool yesterday, I slowed down (along with all the other cars on a 6 lane road) to stop and watch a small gaggle of geese walk slowly across the road. After explaining (unsuccessfully) to my kids that the plural of goose is geese, not gooses, we talked about how interesting
How Can You Stand Out From the Crowd? Read More »
If I had a career do-over, I might choose to be a signage expert. I am constantly appalled by poor signage, and occasionally impressed by excellent signage. To me, useful, informative, and strategically placed signs are one way for people to be kind to each other. “We’re thrilled you chose come to Stanford University’s campus,
What Message Are You Sending To Grantees? Read More »
This is a guest post by Lora Smith, Communications Officer at the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. Public policy discussion has always been a cornerstone of American democracy. Policy change can’t happen without constructive public discourse and influence. Getting to that influence involves persuasive conversations and well-framed messages. Policy advocacy organizations must reach and effectively communicate
Invest in the Strategic Communications Capacity of Policy Grantees Read More »
One of the most important — yet overlooked and underestimated — actions foundations can take to ensure the success of their grantmaking initiatives is to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan. Believe me, I know that this is tough to do at the beginning of your grantmaking program, when you’re in the middle of
The Power of a Communications Plan: Why You Need One Now, and How to Get It Rolling Read More »
I’m thrilled to announce the Communications Network/Putnam Consulting Group Blog Team for the Communications Network Fall 2013 Annual Conference! We’ll be blogging from New Orleans starting with the pre-conference sessions on Wednesday, October 2nd. Follow along with the conference hashtag: #comnetwork13 and follow @Com_Network and @Philanthropy411 for tweets about the conference and blog posts. Here
Announcing the Blog Team for the Communications Network Annual Conference Read More »