Developers and public officials should take note, that public engagement in large-scale mixed-use projects or projects involving critical infrastructure is vital to the success of any project. Any project begins with a vision. If that vision is not shared or shaped without public insight, then the project may fail or end up looking a lot different than originally thought of. PR or Public Relationships can help any project succeed. It will bring less fear, build trust and may actually motivate people to help advance your project, the way you want it.
Making Policy Without Playing Politics
Daniel Cherrin, founder of North Coast Strategies, spoke at Wayne State University Urban Public Policy Resolution Conference on stakeholder engagement, "Giving Voice To The Community." This is his presentation on The Third Way -- The Way Forward and how we can take the politics out of the policy making process.
In Detroit, it is time to find clarity amidst chaos
It is time candidates engage the voter
While campaigns are a time for the voters to get to know the candidates, it is also the chance for the candidates to get to know the voters.
Sure they take their polls to see where the "pulse" is, but perhaps campaigns should be more of a listening tour, debates more like gripe sessions and elections about the people who listened best.
Effective listening provides a roadmap for creating key messages that form the basis of a solid agenda and a plan for deploying the necessary resources to create a solid plan for moving forward.
We need to listen harder...Who will be interested in talking with us?...What are they interested in talking about?...Where and on what terms would they like to comment and become engaged.
Then, once we listen, we can participate in the conversation, share ideas, collaborate and otherwise engage each other in creating a community once again.
I know that campaigns and elections are really about politics, personalities and egos, but it also should be about public engagement, open advocacy and honesty with ourselves as to the direction we must go to move our nation / state forward.
These are the principles for 'public engagement,' created by Endleman PR. Their philosophy of "advanced shared interests in a world of cross-influence."
Leadership is in part about "embracing chaos" for the "public good." Similarly, public opinion not only helps create chaos, it helps resolve it.
In this election, both Democrats and Republicans need to identify their key influencers, engage them and use their stories to influence untraditional voters that their party’s vision is the better one.