Effective stakeholder communication is crucial to the success of any project. Your stakeholders are integral to your project, and building and maintaining a solid relationship with them is essential. It can be challenging to communicate with them in the right way, but with the right approach, it is possible to make your stakeholder communication successful. In this article, we’ll share five tips for better stakeholder communication that will help you to improve your communication strategy and build a stronger relationship with your stakeholders.
Start Communicating Early
One of the most important things to remember when communicating with stakeholders is to start early. Engaging with stakeholders as early as possible is essential to build trust and create a sense of transparency. It would be best to list all the stakeholders you need to engage in the early stages of a project and reach out to them from day one with an introduction. Then, create a schedule for how you plan to deliver feedback over time. Having a regular cadence of communication will set expectations for your contacts going forward.
Be Honest and Consistent
Transparency is essential to effective stakeholder communication. A good relationship with important contacts is built on a foundation of trust, and it’s only possible to create that trust if you’re honest with your updates. Even if something doesn’t go as planned, you’ll want to avoid trying to sweep it under the rug. Be honest and upfront about what’s happening, and work with your stakeholders to solve any issues. Additionally, ensure that your communication feels consistent. Back your messages up with statistics and graphics to make information more accessible. Stick to the same tone of voice so your shareholders can feel more familiar with you.
Communicate Often, Listen Always
As mentioned above, having a schedule in place is advantageous for you to connect with your stakeholders often. When a shareholder reaches out to you, respond with a quick acknowledgment, if nothing else. This will demonstrate that you’re accessible and available to answer their questions. Ensure that your stakeholders can tell that you’re listening to them. If a stakeholder suggests how you can change something in the project, take the insight seriously and discuss it with your team. Respond by letting them know how your team responded and how you will implement what they’ve suggested into your plans as we advance. If you don’t think the suggestion is a good idea, explain why and offer an alternative. This will help stakeholders to feel like they’re collaborating on the project rather than just being informed about what’s happening.
Experiment with Different Kinds of Communication
Different people prefer to communicate in different ways. Some of your stakeholders might like to be updated with regular emails or messages over WhatsApp. Others might desire a more intimate face-to-face discussion with you and your team – even if that’s delivered over a video conference. Give your stakeholders more than one way to contact you and allow them to choose what fits best for them. Although organizing video calls at the end of each month with all your team leaders might feel more time-consuming, a happier stakeholder is worth investing in. Be aware of the people in your contact list who would rather not be so profoundly involved with the feedback process. Professionals might prefer giving quick ratings or sending brief messages over SMS rather than getting into a phone conversation.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is critical when it comes to stakeholder communication. Some people have different communication preferences, so being open and accommodating to other approaches is essential. What works for one group of stakeholders may not work for another.
To build better relationships with a diverse range of people, paying attention to feedback and adjusting your communication strategy accordingly is essential. Feel free to try new approaches and experiment with different communication methods.
For example, if you notice a particular stakeholder is not responding to emails, try calling them instead. Or, if someone prefers visual aids over text, consider using more graphics or videos in your updates.
By being flexible and responsive to feedback, you can build stronger relationships with your stakeholders, ultimately benefiting your project in the long run.
Conclusion
Effective stakeholder communication is essential for the success of any project. By following these five tips, you can create a solid foundation of trust and transparency with your stakeholders, which will help prevent delays, confusion, and expensive revisions.
Remember to start communicating early, be honest and consistent, communicate often and listen, experiment with different kinds of communication, and be flexible. Doing so can build better relationships with your stakeholders and make your project successful.