Applying covid comms lessons in the post-pandemic world

Meaningful internal communications and amplifying strategic partners’ voices are of continuing importance, writes Caroline Hampden-White, communications director at Local Partnerships.

The Covid-19 pandemic solidified the fact that organisations must invest time and energy into their communications work, and that the best leaders espouse and value transparent and clear communication.

During a crisis, effective messaging is crucial. The communications in local government through the pandemic were excellent, with different agencies showing what can be achieved through collaboration at a time when normal working procedures dissolved. The whole was greater than the sum of its parts.

During a crisis, effective messaging is crucial.

How can we continue to maintain these enhanced relationships with our stakeholders, partners and communities in a post-pandemic, hybrid world? Beyond the initial crisis, we have learned some important lessons that we continue to implement.

Giving the public sector free access to dedicated online resources has become even more valuable. During the pandemic we increased the scale and pace of our toolkits, training and webinars and continued to develop and grow them as we saw engagement rise exponentially.

Nurturing relationships

Sensitivity to the evolution of how stakeholders wish to engage is key to maintaining relevance and connection. Online resources and interactions can also help support the journey to achieving net zero carbon emissions.

It’s important to invest time and energy into amplifying the voices of strategic partners through social media channels to promote their events even if that doesn’t always give direct benefits, as the rewards will come back through an enhanced and stronger relationship. Time away from seeing each other has given in-person meetings greater significance

The excellent relationships developed with partners and stakeholders over the years need to be nurtured. Holding regular updates, whether in person and virtual, keeps each in the other’s peripheral vision. Remember the power you can harness through your board or other stakeholders.

The focus on meaningful internal communication across the sector has supported many people’s mental health. Time away from seeing each other has given in-person meetings greater significance. We hold them less often now but ensure that they are well planned and choreographed to facilitate collaboration and enable people to share news and information from places across the organisation that may be less visible to some colleagues.

None of this is the proverbial rocket science but giving considered communication the weight it deserves pays dividends for internal and external audiences alike.