Enene Ejembi (M.Litt, CKM)

In this field, I find that design and media professionals often showcase portfolios, but many communication professional specializing in strategy and writing, seem to struggle to do this - perhaps due to the less visual nature of our work. To address this, create a portfolio by producing written and/or visual content for speaking engagements, communication strategies, TV/radio interviews, and other outputs. Host these materials online on your website or blog, making it easy to share with potential employers, clients, or collaborators.

I have also found it helpful to find out as much as you can about your line manager, especially as you approach middle management and beyond. Because at this point in your career you are likely to have a strong point of view, a well-developed perspective and valuable contributions to make in the industry. Understanding your line manager is crucial seek a person whose work and values align with yours. A supportive boss enhances your performance, while misalignment can hinder your efforts and results.

There is also Strategic communications in the context of international development and it involves communication efforts to advance development impact. In a for-profit consulting firm, the focus may include promoting services, building brand reputation, and winning new business opportunities. In a non-profit, the emphasis shifts to advocating for social causes, raising awareness, and mobilizing support for development initiatives. The nuance lies in tailoring communication strategies to align with the objectives and nature of the organization -the balance between profit vs mission.

The next step would be to define measurable indicators that align with the objectives but also very key is to conduct a baseline assessment of those indicators before your efforts are deployed. That way, you can clearly demonstrate the impact of your own relationship building activities on stakeholder engagement.

For me as an international development professional, measuring the impact of relationship building on stakeholder engagement involves a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The first step would be to agree with my team/client on what the objectives are and then define them clearly - you could have several like increased collaboration, engaged communication, more contract wins or enhanced feedback on development results. Without clear objectives, it is hard to craft an aligned approach.

After I have defined my purpose and audience, I do some research before I delve into planning and structuring my speech. I use this method: I read many different articles, book sections and research papers and then I go to YouTube to listen to speeches, panel discussions and presentations on the topic. I immerse myself: I listen when I go to bed, and when I am taking my morning walks. This way, when I actually start to write, I am inspired, I have a deep understanding of the subject matter and a clear point of view.