Communications Managers’ Workshop

26 September, 2012,

London

#commsmanager

Breaking Down Silos

David Barker - Director of Communications & IT

The brief

How can communications departments

help break down charity silos between

communications, policy and fundraising

to better meet shared objectives?

A problem shared. . .

Our survey said. . .

What are some of the biggest barriers faced in terms of harmonious working and integration?

•Different/competing priorities, messages, deadlines

•Silo working/mentality

•Lack of shared objectives

•Lack of mutual understanding/respect

•Plans & budgets devised separately

•Territorialism

•‘They’ always think they know better

•My boss compounds the problem!

Oxford English Dictionary

Silo (noun)•a tall tower or pit on a farm used to store grain.

•a pit or other airtight structure in which green crops are compressed and stored as silage.

•an underground chamber in which a guided missile is kept ready for firing.

•a system, process, department, etc. that operates in isolation from others: it’s vital that team members step out of their silos and start working together

Where do you start?

Who is to blame?

Positive Thinking

Identify the

obvious

What can you change/influence?

Within your control Outside of your control

? ?

BringClarity

Shared Solutions

Role of Communications

 To champion and deliver innovative and dynamic communications solutions, inspiring others with our passion and expertise. We pride ourselves on productive partnerships and are driven by the shared goal of creating a future free from the fear of breast cancer.

Being a sector-leading communications team does not mean being the biggest. But it does mean being the best – the best in value, creativity, employee talent and consistent delivery of impressive results

Partnership

Partnership: ‘a relationship in which two or more people, departments or organisations

work together in a shared venture’

We are committed to working in Partnership with all teams across Breakthrough

All partners will communicate openly with one another We will allocate communications Resources most effectively for everyone  All partners will Trust and respect each other’s abilities/skills  All partners will uNderstand clearly the role they play  We will listen, advise, communicate Effectively and deliver  All partners will work togetheR to create effective and productive relationships 

All partners will Share the same mission/aims/goals  We will work in an open, Honest, ‘can do’ manner  We will Identify suitable suppliers when necessary 

We will use a system of Project prioritisation to ensure we get the job done

Communication(effective, regular, honest, ongoing)

The Big Themes

• Positive thinking

• Identify the Obvious

• Clarity & Shared Solutions

• Build Productive Partnerships

• Effective Communications