Building Community Support

Doing business in a community is like being a house guest. One ought to be sensitive to the unspoken “house rules” that govern the rhythms of life, and one ought to look for opportunities to contribute to the household.

We help our clients to be welcome guests in their new homes, and to build strong relationships that eventually make them part of the family. Both parties should feel like they benefit from the arrangement.

This calls for a keen strategic sense: understanding the local dynamics of the community, identifying the key leaders and selecting effective messages and communication media. We help equip our clients with the capacity to communicate effectively with collateral and platform training. We help them to execute a communication effort that builds a sense of dialogue and community buy-in: sometimes through a few one-on-one meetings, or a series of meetings with local groups, and sometimes through more conventional methods such as media coverage, direct mail and on-line efforts. Throughout the process we pay close attention to the business of project management, in order to make sure that we stay on target, on schedule and on budget.

Taco Bell Corp. — Community Relations

GOAL
Develop strategy for community relations to facilitate new store growth

SOLUTION

Developed a multi-year vision statement for strategic permitting division
Conducted training for management on techniques for building community support

RESULTS
Accelerated growth in new stores and reduced permitting costs

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Harris Chicago Community Bank
Community Relations & Branding

GOAL
Develop community presence throughout Chicagoland low- and moderate income market

SOLUTION

Develop strategy for building relationships with local community groups and leaders
Train senior staff and branch managers on strategy and techniques
Build suitcase of reference guides and performance measures

RESULTS
Harris now operates dozens of successful community branch banks across the region

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Chicago School Finance Authority
Promotion of Management Reforms

GOAL
Develop community support for Finance Authority’s proposed management reforms

SOLUTION

Helped the Authority to present the issues as the best choice for the children
Focused on the positive points of reforms for targeted audiences

RESULTS
Restructuring of the Chicago Board of Education and the school system

lllinois FIRST Coalition — Media Campaign

GOAL
Pass Illinois FIRST public works package, and pass revenue increases to fund the program.

SOLUTION

Assembled a comprehensive action campaign in the space of two weeks
Newspaper advertisements, state-wide talk-radio spots, Capitol rally, letters to the editor, and letters to key legislators

RESULTS
The legislation passed, and funding was approved

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lllinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Brochure

GOAL
Communicate the value of DCCA’s solid waste investment programs

SOLUTION

Identify key message regarding investment in recycling as an industry
Provide creative direction and management for photographer and designer
Produce trifold, duo-tone brochure
Coordinate mailing of brochure from industry group to legislators and civic leaders

Result
Program continued and flourished, with increased support and cooperation from civic and industry leaders