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.
Auditing Birmingham’s communications
Birmingham City Council anticipated the retirement of a high profile Director of Communications in 2003 at a time when the opposition parties promised they would dismantle the communications function at England’s largest local authority. Verve was recruited to conduct a thorough and independent communications audit and comparative value for money study of the communications function in major UK cities, in order to inform any future debate and offer a way forward for communications activity by the city. The anticipated changes happened and three years later, the communications function remains largely intact.
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.