How I can help
strategy Workshops & foundations
I can help you bridge the gap between smart idea and successful execution by grounding your initiative in a strong, clear, and focused communications strategy. We’ll bring together your most important stakeholders to surface and align on crisp objectives, strategic audiences, imperatives, and key ideas to convey. Through an iterative process, which can involve external research and interviews, we’ll net out a purposeful and thoughtful strategic plan that has the clarity and buy-in you need to bring it to life.
Narrative, Messaging, and Framing
As Tom Stoppard wrote, “words are sacred. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” That is the power of a good narrative, and I can help you craft one. Drawing on a deep understanding of your audience, close listening, empathy, and nuanced cultural and landscape analysis, we’ll find the right metaphors, references, tone, and language to meet people where they are and connect with them meaningfully.
Research and Writing
Maybe you need to better understand a particular audience segment. Or how a narrative is playing out in certain circles? How are your competitors talking about this issue? What are the best-in-class examples of that campaign? I’ll do the deep dive - track down the research, talk to the experts- and conduct an analysis to provide you with pragmatic and workable insights.
Thought leadership
Think of me like your communications doula, helping you birth your ideas, knowledge, and wisdom into the world. Whether it’s finding your unique voice and value proposition as a thought leader or crafting the arguments, opeds, and speeches that will earn your views the attention they deserve, I’m here to help. With close attention to your individual communications style and your authentic presence and world-view, I can help you shape the agendas and conversations that matter.
Brand Development & positioning
There is nothing more exciting or terrifying than building and launching a whole new entity. Whether it’s a new organization, task force, or campaign - positioning matters. It’s so much more than a name or a logo. It’s a voice, personality, the framing of purpose. How will you articulate the problem this group will solve and why it is the right group to solve it? I will guide you through this process, ask the tough questions, push for clarity, and bring diligence, thoughtfulness, and creativity to help you articulate a powerful brand positioning.
Issues management
I much prefer issues management to crisis management and, believe me, so do you. So let’s get ahead of the game by mapping out our communications and reputational risks and planning for them. I can help you develop that playbook, including messaging, escalation plans, and spokesperson readiness. Of course, you know what they say about the best laid plans. Sometimes the unexpected happens and you have to respond quickly and thoughtfully. I’m here to support you respond in the heat of the moment by putting your values and stakeholders first, and matching your messaging to your actions.
Working together
There’s nothing transactional about the nature of this work. It takes understanding, trust, and partnership. In my experience, that’s what achieves the best results. If we work together, I will share your passion and commitment to the project at hand. I’ll think about it before I go to sleep at night and likely in the wee hours of the morning. That’s because I only take on projects that I believe in, with people I believe in too.
