Changing the Language of Change
“Change is hard.”“People don’t like change.”“Our workforce is change fatigued.” These phrases are so familiar they often pass without question. They appear in leadership conversations, strategy papers and APS Census debriefs year after year. But what if the way we…
What’s the difference between a communications strategy and a communications plan?
People often use communications strategy and communications plan interchangeably. I was recently asked to explain the difference, and while it’s a hot topic in communication circles, here’s my take. They serve distinct purposes and play different roles. Understanding the difference…
Communicating with diverse audiences
When developing a communications strategy or designing stakeholder engagement, we often talk about segmenting your audience—defining who they are, their demographics, needs, challenges, and pain points. This segmentation is supposed to help us tailor our communication so it resonates more…
No strategy, no tactics
In 2024, there is a new communications rule. No strategy, no tactics.
What do I bring to the Elm Communications Party?
If you know Mel, you’ll know that she’s an excellent host. She throws unforgettable gatherings, complete with mouthwatering snacks, refreshing drinks, outdoor games, and a laid-back atmosphere. She’s one of THOSE people while I struggle to assemble a plate of…
Our experience with ChatGPT
Everyone has been writing about it. It will end careers. It will kill comms. It will mean the end of civilisation as we know it. Chat GPT. *insert dramatic music* I was sceptical at the beginning. I perceived it as…
Have you started your EA communications strategy?
Updated for 2021! AGGGGHHHH not enterprise bargaining in the public service. Those of us who were part of the last bargaining round cannot believe it’s almost been three years. I know some departments have yet to finalise their agreements but…
Strategy sins and channel challenges
Is “the media” an audience or a channel? How do you target “the general public”? And other strategic communications challenges. If you work in communications, it is easy to be lazy when writing a communications strategy or plan. You get…
The importance of having a communications plan
I have been working with a lot of smaller organisations recently. A consistent theme is that they don’t have the capacity or capability in-house to write a communications strategy. By the time they talk to me, they are a bit…
Communications planning – the key to not getting lost
Let’s say you’re on holiday and you are trying to get to a museum. You know the name of it but not what it looks like, or what street it is on. You don’t know what is inside or whether…
