Communication strategy

With a wealth of experience in internal and external communications, planning and strategy is one of the core strengths of Elm Communications.

We know great communications is researched, planned and evidence-based. We believe communications can deliver value when you know what you are setting out to achieve, understand your audience, have consistent messaging, and understand how to measure your outcomes.

We know that your internal stakeholders are just as important as engaging your clients and stakeholders. We like to take a holistic view when delivering a plan so that you can reach the right audience, with the right message, through the right channels.

When we develop a strategy we think about it in four phases:

1. Analysis and research – We don’t want to reinvent the wheel so we will look at your existing documentation and undertake desktop research to understand your project and operating environment. We are also able to undertake data analysis of your current channels or evaluate previous plans so we can develop a great baseline for your objectives. Taking time now to get the information we need will help us to better understand the previous communications approach, gaps and opportunities, and audience needs. This information will inform the development of a successful communications strategy.
2. Engagement – We know that a communications plan will be more successful if you get subject matter expertise and insights from different communication disciplines. Engagement will support the longer-term buy-in and effective implementation because it is based on your reality, not just a consultant’s view. We want everyone involved to feel like they have played a role in creating the approach and building consensus for the objectives. We will run workshops, interviews or surveys to get input from everyone that needs to be engaged.
3. Develop the strategy – This is what we love to do. We will put it all together in a strategy based on our experience and current best practice. We will create something that is useful and realistic, helping to provide the direction you need to succeed.
4. Implement – Once it is approved we won’t desert you, we can help to implement the plan and develop your content.

We want to work with you to understand your project and deliver a strategy that will be useful not just sit in a draw gathering dust!