Communication Strategies for Sensitive "Low-Trust, High-Concern" Situations
Credibility with the community is a key to managing sensitive projects. We conceive and implement communications programs to help clients build credibility and trust in communities for environmental cleanup programs or new development projects. Our primary goal always is to prevent controversy. Often, for a variety of reasons, that is not possible. If controversy develops, we have the experience to mitigate concerns, limit the growth of opposition, and initiate the process of developing credibility and earning trust by providing timely and accurate information. Many residents have concerns for issues such as their health or property values. Often by providing one-on-one and small-group attention, we meet the needs of stakeholders, such as the public, elected officials, the agencies and the media. In all that we do, we assiduously protect our clients' interests. Our varied environmental and communications backgrounds allow us to simplify technical issues, thereby reducing misinformation and negative stakeholder reactions. We strive to help our clients understand public perceptions of health and environmental risk.
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On-the-Ground Community Relations
We specialize in doing the hard work! We assist our clients best when serving as the eyes, ears and, when appropriate, the spokesperson in the community. A great community relations program, with all the necessary pieces to build trust and credibility, is worthless when implemented incorrectly or insufficiently, or when implemented without face time with the various key stakeholders. Let us help you make the most of your on-the-ground program. We have implemented on-the-ground programs that include door-to-door campaigns, open houses, local project offices, question/answer drop-in sessions, public meetings, information materials creation and distribution, and press announcements.
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Messaging
To build credibility and trust at a sensitive project site, our clients need solid, consistent messages. We help clients form and consistently use good messages. We also help our clients to recognize when to change the messages for a project, based on stakeholder activity, or based on a new phase in the project.
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Public Education and Information
While information about a sensitive project can spread through a community quickly, the same is unfortunately true of misinformation. We have experience in building trust and credibility while dealing with an angry public. As communications professionals, we construct effective public information materials and information programs that not only educate, but also seek to correct misinformation that undoubtedly swells through stakeholder groups. We write, edit, design, and produce newsletters, letters to stakeholders, fact sheets, brochures and presentations. We also coordinate information materials for and facilitate public meetings, workshops and open houses, and can manage toll-free information phone lines and craft material for your project website.
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Government Relations
We are experienced in working with federal and state environmental agencies and health departments, local and state elected and non-elected officials. For most projects, it is very important to build a solid team relationship among all of these players.
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Media Relations
We develop a systematic approach to working with news media at your project location to minimize factual errors and negative reactions to sensitive issues, and to maximize the interests of our clients. We have produced many press releases and have organized press announcements and briefings. Our partners have worked in the media, and they understand reporters and the newsroom process.
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Risk Communications Training
Many of our partners have extensive experience in training clients to hit-the-ground for effective community relations campaigns. Clients can choose a shorter session to cover specific topics and exercises, or longer formats that also cover general risk communications techniques. Learning these techniques can be very helpful when sitting in a resident's living room during what could be a heated conversation.
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Event Planning and Logistics
Whether a town hall meeting, open house, conference, or a smaller affair, we can manage logistics and coordination for any event. We'll obtain the proper audio-visual equipment and supplies (everything from nametags to flip charts) for your event, assist with logistics for attendees such as meals and accommodations, and help plan and produce proper presentations and visuals that carry your strategic messages.
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Workplace Crisis Management
In the midst of a company restructuring, layoff period, or other difficult situation, it is very important to delicately talk with employees about what is happening. PKC has important experience managing these communication needs and can help your business with presentations, handouts, and talking points to keep your employees motivated.
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Business Social Media and Email Marketing, Customer Engagement
It is absolutely vital for B2C companies to meet new customers and engage new customers through social media and email marketing. We have numerous clients, large and small, who we help with their Facebook and Twitter campaigns, opt-in email campaigns, and general marketing strategy. We offer broad marketing support that includes market research and developing a marketing plan, or isolated marketing campaign support.
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