Because I’ve spent time in both worlds, the focus of my practice is bridging the gap between technology and effective communication. This takes shape in many different types of projects for my clients. Here are a few examples:
Advisor
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to using social media, launching a new site, or revamping an intranet. Often I’m brought in to help organizations come up with ideas, develop a long range plan, decide which steps to take first, and prepare for the kinds of challenges that lie ahead. This can involve:
- Brainstorming with your team
- Researching the needs of your audience
- Developing a governance model
- Building a charter/business case
- Developing a project plan
- Ensuring the design, information architecture, and usability of your site meet the needs of your audience
- Assisting with roll-out communication, marketing, and change management
- Developing metrics to prove the business value of the project
Translator
Communications/Marketing/PR/HR departments frequently have a difficult time explaining what they’re trying to accomplish in terms the IT team or technology vendors understand. The result is frustration on both sides, unnecessary rework, and budgets that run far over their initial target. Ideally I’m brought in from the beginning, as organizations are first establishing the goals for their project. I help mediate and ensure the goals, requirements, and limitations of both sides are understood and provide ongoing support as the project moves ahead.
Researcher
Having a clear understanding of where you are now and where you need to focus your attention as you move forward is a critical part of making sure your project succeeds. It’s also a key part of building a business case and proving how you’ve accomplished your goals or moved the ROI needle. Depending on client requirements, I use a range of tools including one-on-one interviews, electronic surveys, task analysis, and usability analysis techniques to provide the insights you need to move ahead.
Presenter
Keeping conference audiences up to date with the latest developments, best practices, and real-world case studies about online communication is one of my passions. I’ve spoken at over one hundred seminars, in-house meetings, and conferences all over the globe. Frequent topics include:
- Building more effective intranets
- Best practices in the use of social media both inside and outside the firewall
- Building employee engagement with effective HR portals
- Developing effective social media policies
- Writing for the Web/Twitter/Social Media