Stuck in a Communications Rut? Take a Fresh Approach to Planning for 2023

As the days get shorter and the nights get chillier as 2022 comes to an end, now is an ideal time to think about strategic communications planning for 2023.

Thinking about strategic communications planning both internally and externally for 2023 should be top of mind. Taking half a day with your team to map your top priorities, audiences and ideas will ensure you’re ready with the right people, partners and resources.

Whether you’re a communications team of one or 150, breakaway now to pause, connect, celebrate and plan for the future. Communications planning can be remarkably pain-free, creative and even comforting. Oh, and it should be fun … definitely fun!

When virtual meetings aren't enough

Live human connections are critical as most communicators have been working remotely since the world shutdown in March 2020. That’s 30+ months with many folks feeling isolated, fatigued and worried, so reconnecting in person can be energizing and empowering. Plus, planning together will drive a shared sense of purpose.

December gets super busy with the holidays and year-end work, so be proactive and schedule an off-site planning session with your team today.

Tips to guide planning

Here are five tips to ensure a successful session as you assess, imagine and map communications:

• Draft your planning agenda and then cut it in half to make time for lively conversations.

• Build in time to connect with your team on a personal level.

• Ask for feedback and input from your biggest internal clients first.

• Include a few surprises through the session to keep everyone engaged.

• Consider using an outside facilitator and your key internal/external business partners.

What to ask

Here are 12 thought-provoking questions to ask when your team is together:

Reflect & Assess

• What’s worked and what hasn’t?

• What can we stop doing?

• What can we start doing?

• How can we better align business strategy and communication strategy?

Understand Your Audiences

• Who are our key audiences?

• What do they really want and need to know?

• What do they truly need to know from our organization?

• How can we better understand our audiences and their channel preferences?

• How can we more efficiently serve our internal clients?

Make Planning Actionable

• What tools, technologies and templates can help us work smarter and more consistently?

• How can we better use metrics and data to influence our communications?

• Do we have an integrated and actionable communications calendar for the year ahead?

Our team loves strategic planning together with clients. Last week, we hosted a planning retreat for our team of 20 at our new office in Carytown in Richmond, Va.