Community Leader Stakeholder Communication
The community leaders are often the hardest to communicate with and they often obtain their information from the vocal minority. Since they are part of the community, they interact with the employees who are being affected by the outsourcing actions and the information that is being conveyed is usually heavily influenced with emotion. It is critical that they be given the correct information. We have found the following strategy to work:
1 .Determine who the community leaders are from the Chamber of Commerce to the environmentalist groups.
2. Create a speaking bureau to present the facts at community functions, business gatherings or special called meetings.
3.Meet one on one with key leaders and listen to their concerns.
4.Appoint a person or persons who can be available to answer questions as they arise throughout the process.
5. Be very clear what the real impact of outsourcing will have on the employment and economic base. This must include both the negatives and positives.
6.Don't let the key community leaders be surprised.
7. Bring in third party experts if necessary to support your position and allow the community leaders to meet with them.
8. Give examples of successful outsourcing projects in other similar communities.
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