Do you know your stakeholders? You should.

In order for an organization to realize its mission it has to work with a diverse group of stakeholders. Have you sat down and revisited who your stakeholder groups are? Does every person working at the organization know who they are?

These are questions that every organization should take the time and revisit periodically. And the beginning of a new year is a good time to do so.

Every year we kick the year off with a renewed sense of mission and a desire to be better. We create new plans and set metrics. We get to work. But sometimes we forget to engage our stakeholders during this process. Stakeholders are a very important component in working to realize your mission and understanding who they are will help you realize your mission.

Every person in your organization should know who your stakeholders are and how they contribute to organizations work. This will help them understand how to engage them in a meaningful way. Before you dive in head first, take the time to list your stakeholders, understand how they fit into your organization, and create a thoughtful engagement plan.

A stakeholder engagement plan is meant to communicate key information and garner support for your organization. There are a few steps to begin your planning.

1. identify and classify stakeholders
2. create a power\\interest matrix, power of the stakeholder on y-axis, and interest on the x-axis. Define what “power” and “interest” mean for your organization. (see graphic below)
3. develop the stakeholder engagement plan. Determine messaging and frequency.

Once you have determined and classified your stakeholders, create a system to engage and solicit feedback. Incorporate feedback into your strategic\\work plans. Report back to the stakeholders and be transparent about relevant information.

What are the benefits of going through this exercise? It will help you to anticipate the needs of the stakeholders so you can address them before they become issues. This type of engagement will show your stakeholders that you care and will give them a voice. The plan should be shared with the organizational staff so each department has ownership and accountability. It will also help guide staff with clear goals and tactics resulting in clear and relevant engagement of the people, groups, and organizations that are key to advancing your mission.