Cost Optimization Series:
Taking Stakeholders on the Journey

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Transcript

Palak: Chris, as we embark on the journey, how do you convey the meaning into the messaging to stakeholders?

Chris: I think, Palak, we’re increasingly distracted in a world that’s full of data, it’s full of information. We talk a lot about the value that AI brings, cleansing data, using data, but to be informed. The one thing that I’m always conscious of is we overload people with information.

We often forget the meaning. What does that meaning for me.

I think what’s really important with the way we position the story is building a rapport, an emotional connection.

Why is it important to me?

Why does this matter?

What can I do about it?

What difference does it make to my life?

If you inspire people, if you win their hearts and their minds, they’ll come along on that journey. Naturally, human beings, we want to be involved, we want to be engaged, we want to overcommunicate with each other.

I think it’s really important to build a story rather than a message, a story that conveys a really strong sense of purpose and direction, builds the support and the communication to move forward together. That’s where we see success.

I think one of the things that’s often overlooked is we assume there’s a single way to communicate. I’ll produce a paper, I’ll produce a deck, I’ll send an email.

One of the things that I think is worth considering here is, is your stakeholder a visual learner?

Are they a corridor conversation?

Do you need to prepare that elevator pitch?

Is it a coffee chat outside of a familiar environment?

Is it more formally across the desk?

Understanding how that information is best received, in what format and what period of time is required to digest?

Are they more emotive in their response?

Are they more calculated, considered?

Quite often enables that story to land.

So whether you’re presenting in front of a stakeholder who’s very mindful on metrics, we’re back to our conversation around mind. Or is it somebody that wants to feel something from the message you convey, the story you’re taking them through? They’re really key nuances to understand.

The more impactful that message is, the more you understand how well it’s received, the more you’re likely to deliver success for your organization.