1. Teresa Cunningham Communications Manager Altogether Better West Cheshire

2. The challenge Multi-agency Whitehall secondees New people New teams
Huge task
Unchartered territory
Business cases by October 2011
Hit the ground running
Recognised early on communication would be key
Appoint a communications manager – THE GLUE TO HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER

3. Branding Give it a name – Altogether Better
Create a strong vibrant brand – visibility
Multi-agency – no logos
Branded toolkit for all agencies to use

4. Communications starts with people
New people – what did we do?
Multi- agency engagement events
Photos
A shared work area
Internal sharepoint
Team meetings
Themes and teams
Link with coms colleagues in all orgs – create a network – share the load
Links with coms colleagues in other pilot areas – share info and experiences
Socialise!

5. Our messages Internal communications Staff Partners Stakeholders
Members
External communications
Whitehall
Media – trade and national
KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED – REGULARLY
Map stakeholders
Staff are key – unified coms means single voice for messages
Promote the programme
Keep informed - regular communications – even if there’s not much to say
Internal – staff in the project teams
all staff in the wider organisations
Whitehall
Members
LGA
External communications
Media – trade and national
Other public / private

6. Channels Website Social media Newsletters Publications Articles
Event and conferences
Presentation
Speeches
Multi- channel
Dedicated channels
Use existing channels
Overarching coms strategy
Develop individual coms plans as projects develop
You need at least one great scribe – preferably more

7. Learning points Keep communications at the centre Support from the top
Keep communicating
Share your story
Everyone has a role to play
No finish line – the messages will change
Investing in good coms from the outset will mean your project will have a much better chance of success.
Keep your coms person / people informed.
Support from the top for coms – all partners – no room for egos!
Keep moving – the messages and audiences will change as the project evolves
Communications is everyone’s business – not just the coms person.