Is your business and stakeholder engagement too low? tips and advice to address this

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵’𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽:

For 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, highlight improvements in skills, employability, and addressing shortages.

For 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴, stress informing local skills system changes.

For 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, underscore understanding employer needs and building a robust evidence base.

For 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, focus on ensuring workforce skills for employers, boosting productivity, pay, and job quality.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀:

** Tailor questions to different groups.
** Piggyback on existing meetings and events… Secure slots at regular meetings to outline the LSIP and invite feedback, linking to online surveys or workshops.
** Design short, targeted engagements for businesses: brief online surveys, 15-minute phone calls, or 20-minute online focus groups
** Leverage existing events and newsletters for business representative groups.
** Use online registration and calendar booking apps (microsoft’s outlook booking page is pretty good!)
** Buy business contact details to supplement existing lists for surveys.

Leverage digital and mobile technology:
— Use apps for voice/video feedback (with transcription and summary analysis).
— Utilise automated transcription services, ensuring recording permissions are part of booking.
— Employ online surveys for their low cost and instant data, but be aware of low response rates; keep them 2-3 minutes to complete.
— Use a CRM and email management system for seamless workflow

I’m Glenn Athey. Transforming local economies is my passion. I’m MD of a consultancy firm mylocaleconomy.org and I am also part of the Local Skills Improvement Partnership at lsip.net I’ve got a 31-year successful track record in economic development and regeneration, I’ve successfully won over £300 million for projects that drive local prosperity.