(5) convincing links/ communication
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(5) Convincing links/ communication. Training in Policy Relevant Solutions Oriented Research. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID+ framework – Convincing links. Stakeholder list. Communication plan. Communicating with politicians, leaders and top officials. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
(5) Convincing links/ communication
Training in Policy Relevant Solutions Oriented Research
Bridging research, policy and politicsThe RAPID+ framework – Convincing links
What you need to know to communicate effectively
What you need to do How to do it
How to reach the key stakeholders?
How and when to present the messages?
What is role of media, informal networks and who are the gatekeepers and what is their influence?
Whose side are they on?
Have a communication plan
Effective messaging Build on reputation and
credibility Build coalitions and
partnerships Become present in existing
networks and use infromal opportunities
Use media wisely
Partnerships between researchers, policy makers, and communities
Make a communication product and events – different strategies for different stakeholders
Communicate together with/ through direct affectees (farmers, women, environmental refugees)
Use diversity of communication channels
Stakeholder list Stakeholder Position/interest Resources/
influenceTrigger
Political party members
Leaders (sheikhs, majors, big farmers, security)
Top bureaucrats
Midlevel bureaucrats
Farmers/ direct stakeholders
General audience
NGOs/ Private Sector
Communication planStakeholder How to reach What message Action to do:
Political party members
Leaders (sheikhs, majors, big farmers, security)
Top officials
Midlevel bureaucrats
Farmers/ direct stakeholders
General audience
NGOs/ Private Sector
Communicating with politicians, leaders and top officials
Effective messaging (1)
• Use direct stakeholders to communicate (farmer, women, ..)• Avoid conflicting contradictory viewpoints, as this reduces the confidence of
decision makers• Use confident and optimistic (not pessimistic) messages about solutions and
ways forward – decision makers needs to know what to do and what to not to do – even if it works 75%
• Use costs and benefits – avoid that things look unpredictable and uncertain• Present recommendations as yes/no decision points or as ‘options’ - making the
decision maker responsible for taking decisions• Avoid too many recommendations: maximum 3 • Be conscious of time factor – if a plan is presented break down the plans in
manageable steps/ portions
Try to give
Confidence
Source: http://www.glenknight.com/wp-content/uploads/cartoon-02-fortune-teller.gif
Effective messaging (2)
• Engage end-users and main stakeholders in the communication – for instance through involving water user communities in the analysis or through workshop face-to-face workshops between officials/ politicians and community members.
• Relate to the real world – use the human touch such as ‘As my grandfather used to say..’
• Make use of trusted sources and partly build up this credibility within the research team
Means
• Elevator pitch• Informal discussion• 2 slide presentations• Policy briefs – visual attractive• Use of numbers• Supported by communication to mid level, direct
stakeholders and NGOs etc
Exercise ‘The Elevator Pitch’
• You have 1 minute to convince the key person of the main points and recommendation of your research
Briefs: Yemen Water Factsheets (also in Arabic)
! Page:IssuesResearch finding (map, figure)Recommendation (max 2)
Communicating with farmers/ NGOs/ civil society and mid level
bureaucrats
Effective messaging
• Build on engagement in research
• Use different channels (create buzz)
• Visuals (that are spread by key persons)
• Figures (they carry themselves)
• Presentations and one-to-one briefings
• Events
Presentations: what is its importance?
• Is to impress the audience with your knowledge?
• Is it to make sure the message you want communicate gets across?
Examples: organizing events
Umgeni Water (South
Africa) organizes a
marathon as part of their
water festival. The
starting point is a dam
and the marathon is run
around a lake
Examples: using visual (posters)
Educational posters:
Often have a lot of information
and interesting details
Meant to have a closer look
Examples: using posters (2)
Promotional posters:
Clear at a glance
Usually one large slogan and
few details
Exercise
• Make poster/ or policy brief of the research activity