In today’s busy world it is a challenge to keep our audiences fully informed and engaged. You could pose the question; how can we respond to effectively captivate and listen to our community to create project outcomes that are truly impactful?
This has only intensified within the current Covid-19 environment, with communities being less connected and more isolated from usual touchpoints. City Collective has considered how to refine stakeholder and community engagement strategies to increase participation and deliver better outcomes.
Establish a framework that cultivates discussion and inclusivity
Define upfront clearly the issues that we are trying to solve. Ask ourselves as a group ‘why are we here?’ and what does success look like. Establish a framework to encourage big picture thinking that is focused on the challenges at hand and articulate ‘what is holding us back?’, ‘what can we build on?’
Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions
By asking the tough questions early a group can establish the non-negotiables, the must haves and take another key steps to de-risk the engagement. Such an approach accelerates the ability to join the dots to deliver mutual outcomes.
A healthy dose of truth testing
Role playing doesn’t have to be just for drama class. Using scenario testing and provocative ‘what if’ strategies has proven to be a successful way to allow participants to identify the required decisions markers.
Where have we made this work?
We applied this approach for the Main Road McLaren Vale Tourism & Investment strategy consultation. Our team hosted two in person sessions held within the community at the McLaren Vale Visitors Centre. The participants included a mix of local community associations, retailers, business and property owners and residents, who all had enthusiasm and passion for their main street and community.
Throughout the sessions we encouraged participants to reflect on the past while imagining the future, with all participants enjoying the role-playing exercises. interactive approach consultation builds meaningful community consensus.
The testing allowed participants to dive deeper into understanding what is possible and the actions to achieve improved tourism and investment outcomes.
We knew that undertaking community consultation while in lockdown on the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s largest ever public project, was always going to be a challenge.
Working collaboratively with Council, our team embraced a fully digital community consultation with over one hundred participants attending the online session. Interactive approach consultation builds meaningful community consensus.
Want to learn more about City Collective’s engagement approach or have similar challenges?
We would love to chat! Reach out
