Engaging your stockholders
Too often in change situations, the stage at which some stakeholders are engaged is at the end, once the change has been settled on and is being rolled out. With fingers crossed, changemakers hope the "changetakers" like, or at least accept, the new reality. All of us know this has never been a good approach. And in today's world of social media and stakeholder (and even shareholder) activism, engaging your stakeholders at any time other then at the very beginning can end in disaster.
Engaging stakeholders isn't complicated. Yes, logistical challenges may need to be overcome. Care must be taken. And expectations set. But when done well, engaging your stakeholders at the beginning, middle, and end of the change journey can not only minimize disruption and help ensure success; it can reap unexpected benefits.
Years of experience inform the emHrge method of stakeholder engagement. The process itself isn't magical; it's the insightful design and skilled facilitation that sets us apart. But since process is important, we've summarized the steps involved in effective stakeholder engagement below.
DEFINE...
your stakeholder groups and determine the method(s) of engagement.
We'll help you think through who needs to be engaged, and how and when to do so.
design...
and effectively deploy the applicable engagement mechanisms (i.e., the discussion protocols, survey tool, etc.).
With our unique blend of communications capabilities and domain expertise we're able to craft discussion protocols guaranteed to elicit meaningful input from your stakeholders. We can also collaborate with your survey partners (or ours) for broad-based input.
digest & debrief
It's one thing to analyze results. It's another to fully digest them. To consider whether what you learned calls for another look at your strategy, a rethinking of your assumptions. The good news is that you've gathered this input early in the process, so you can integrate this information as you move forward.
Of course, you'll share what you learned with your stakeholders and, if applicable, across the organization. That way your stakeholders know you not only "heard" them but that you're truly listening to what they had to say.