Over the past four articles, we explored three trends for 2026 and their implications for communicators. We discussed how uncertainty makes narratives harder to land, how the revival of community-led…
In a recent overview of trends for 2026, we identified three developments that will shape communication practice: narratives that are harder to land amid growing uncertainty; the revival of community-led…
In a previous article, we explored three key trends that will shape communicators’ work in 2026: Narratives that are harder to land amid growing uncertainty. The revival of community-led communications…
In a previous article, we explored three trends that will define 2026 for communicators: harder-to-land narratives in an uncertain environment, the revival of community-led communication, and the broadening of crisis…
Each year, communicators face the same challenge: how to plan, adapt, and stay relevant in an environment that keeps shifting. Economic cycles, technological developments, regulatory adjustments, and evolving consumer behaviour…
As the new year approaches, many communicators will be preparing or contributing to master plans that require stakeholder approval. These plans are not just lists of activities but resource-dependent commitments…
In the previous article, we explored five principles for smarter communication planning. These principles guide how communicators can frame their master plans for 2026: Negotiate at the level of outcomes,…
As the calendar year draws to a close, communicators are tasked with shaping or contributing to the organisation’s master communication plan for the year ahead. This process is not just…
Reporting to management and stakeholders is not just the closing step in issues management. It is a structural necessity during the monitoring stage. While many communicators focus on escalation once…
Crises rarely appear from nowhere. They are usually the culmination of smaller issues that have grown over time. To understand how to anticipate and manage these developments, it helps to…
In communication, distinguishing between an issue and a crisis is not just a matter of terminology. The distinction determines the resources you use, the level of urgency applied, and the…
Issues management and crisis communication management are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. The distinction matters, especially for communicators at the early stage of their careers. In…
In a perfect world, each executive would have a dedicated communications advisor. These advisors would be in sync, coordinating efforts with shared timelines and strategic outcomes. But that’s not the…
Communicators are often expected to show results—but the skill of explaining outcomes is not the same as measuring them. Yet in many communications workflows, these two distinct actions are mistakenly…
You’ve aligned the executive team, briefed key spokespeople, and secured a strategic opportunity—whether that’s a media interview, panel appearance, or stakeholder roundtable. The planning was tight, and the comms team…
A communications agenda is not simply a set of tasks or a calendar of appearances. It is a strategic tool that helps align the executive’s role with the organisation’s visibility,…
Communicators often prepare executives to represent the organisation across key moments, channels, and audiences. A strong communication agenda may set the foundation, but the more difficult task is measuring whether…
Executives are expected to express their organisation’s value in ways that reflect a clear understanding of their audiences’ concerns, expectations, and questions. Doing this well takes more than talking points…
Trust is a foundation-level value that businesses need to earn and maintain. It is no longer enough for organisations to talk about trust in marketing materials—it has to be seen…
Big ideas are meant to drive attention and engagement. Without clear objectives and meaningful KPIs, they can become distractions rather than strategic assets. A concept that looks impressive on the…