In this clip from episode 117 of the Stories and Strategies podcast, guest Mike Nachshen describes a strategic effort to influence the leadership of a multinational defense organization. He developed a comprehensive communication strategy, highlighting the critical role of storytelling in achieving business objectives. By crafting a compelling narrative and integrating it into a press briefing at a significant industry event, the Paris Air Show, the groundwork was laid for influencing key decision-makers. This approach underscores the effectiveness of combining traditional public relations tactics, such as engaging with reporters and leveraging high-profile events, with meticulously constructed messaging. Furthermore, the initiative to rewrite a speech for a business unit president, ensuring the inclusion of key messages, exemplifies a targeted effort to reach and persuade senior government officials directly, showcasing the power of strategic communication in a corporate context.
The second phase of the strategy involved a more personalized approach, wherein a hard copy of the speech was hand-delivered to the office of a high-ranking official, ensuring that the message not only reached its intended recipient but did so in a manner that commanded attention. This old-school tactic paid off when the official publicly echoed the speech's key points in a New York Times interview, demonstrating the direct impact of strategic communication on public perception and organizational alignment. This success story illustrates the importance of a well-rounded communication strategy that employs both modern and traditional methods to achieve business goals, emphasizing the pivotal role of storytelling and strategic message delivery in influencing outcomes and aligning with organizational objectives.
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