Strengthening and Consolidating the Consumer Networks

2 Talking Watching Communicating Listening Reading

3 Communicating With the team- at home With the neighbors – in the region With the media – reaching consumers With the European citizen - partnerships

4 The importance of being a Communicator Consumer’ Organization Members Government and public entities MediaSocial partners

5 Working together - Internal communication The unity is strength Unity is

6 Sharing successes and problems Sharing contents and national activities Recognition of achievements Raise team morale Informing all staff (volunteers, members, board…) Working together

7 Working together: tools Newsletter Formal communication Flash news Internal bulletin Video conference Phone calls Informal Communication Meetings

8 Working together- external communication Consumers organization Other organizations / social partners More Visible Effective Successful

9 Consumer organization Develop knowledge about problems Develop competences Develop external contacts Enforce professional teams Find out the key person Working together- external communication

10 Working together and how to united? Small organization Some power on lobby action and consumer information More capacity to protect consumers rights and interests Federation of organizations

11 Consumer federation must be the voice that alerts consumers who can have those conflicts Consumer federation must be representative of all consumers Local, regional, national consumers have similar problems Consumer federation must develop alliances and coalition with social partners Working together- external communication

12 And the winning idea is… The unity is strength Unity is

13 Decide what to do and how to do Dragon fly Analysis B

14 Dragon fly Analysis B Positive points: Raw material and experts Negative points: Not enough budget not enough power Secret ingredient: Knowing the problem Consumer problem

15 B BALANCE Positive points + negative points + secret point = Looking forward, but stay on ground! Dragon fly Analysis

16 B Decide what to do and how to do Palm Tree Analysis

17 B Palm Tree analysis Integrate all experts/ teams. Share all information. Connect all communication networks. Use methodological approach. Use your experience. VERTICALVERTICAL

18 B Palm Tree analysis Specific and simple Measurable and meaningful STRATEGYSTRATEGY Attainable Realistic and responsible Tangible

19 We always walk in a thin line…

20 Graça Cabral