Communications Audit
What people think and feel about your organisation is crucial to its reputation and effectiveness, as well as whether they listen to what you have to say. But first you have to find out…
Reputations matter. They affect whether people value your services, you can raise funds and win support, recruit and retain the best staff, or develop effective partnerships - and ultimately survive in an increasingly competitive world. We are expert at helping people to understand and improve their reputations - undertaking perceptions audits using quantitative and qualitative techniques, and reviewing the effectiveness of communications and brand strategies. Once you know where you stand, we can help to devise the strategy you need to deliver measurable improvements.
Belfast City Council
When Belfast City Council was gearing itself up for local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland, Verve Communications was asked to undertake a review of its communications operation. The main aim was to improve the co-ordination of communications activities across the council and advise on developing a comprehensive communications strategy.
The review looked at all communications functions across the council including media relations, advertising, new media, internal communications and branding. It was evidence and interview based and involved interviewing 48 key people including Members, staff, external partners, trade unions and the media.
The audit and review took three months to complete and resulted in all recommendations being largely approved, leading to annual savings of £250k.
Eamon Deeney, Head of Corporate Communications - Belfast City Council, said
“The most impressive aspect of Verve's work was the way they quickly got to grips with our political and organisational peculiarities to produce realistic, workable and above all innovative solutions.”
Oxford City reputation audit
When Oxford City Council was keen to measure its reputation in the eyes of key local stakeholders and national opinion formers, it turned to Verve to undertake a detailed audit. We used a range of techniques that included: over 35 interviews with senior Members and officers and key external opinion formers; a media survey of key trade, radio/TV and local journalists; mystery shopping; and comprehensive desk research. As a result of our audit we were able to provide the council with a detailed and invaluable snapshot of its reputation.