Three reasons to use strategic engagement:

• Solicit stakeholder inputs on strategy, direction, tactics, opportunities or threats.
• Determine impacts of unanticipated shifts in the external environment.
• Develop a unified strategic response to a political opportunity or threat.

Engagement strategies help clients build consensus around policies and decisions, effectively manage power relationships, use resources more efficiently, and focus stakeholder influence and energy to manage issues.

Internal

• Assess alignment of goals with strategy and tactical resources.
• Frame issues, threats and opportunities.
• Transform internal information into workable knowledge capital.
• Use knowledge capital to engage internal stakeholders.
• Identify new approaches, uncover insights, promote meaningful interactions, present new information, and build trust.
• Incorporate insights into the organization's strategic plan, goals and objectives.
• Create a strategy for achieving next steps based on engagement outcomes.

External

• Identify external stakeholders.
• Create and execute an outreach strategy to build understanding and support.
• Coordinate outreach strategy with public affairs, community relations, communications, and lobbying.
• Engage thought and opinion leaders and influencers.
• Form and/or participate in coalitions, advocacy organizations and community groups.
• Use knowledge capital to reframe issues so they are more compelling politically.
• Develop and nurture win-win political relationships.