Internal Communication and Public Awareness
CHRIS PEEK, DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNUAL RETREAT
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC AWARENESS
Consultation
Communication
Plans
Public
Awareness
Community
Relations
Mecklenburg
County
Communication
Continuum
Internal /Direct
Communication
Social
Media
Media
Relations
Digital/Video/
Print
Products
Website
Content
71
A CULTURE OF COMMUNICATION
1. Enhance the use of Communication Plan
methodology
Situational Analysis






•Meet with client
•Define project scope
Situational Analysis
•Determine who should receive communication(s)
Assess Target Audience
•Research, refine and propose goals to clients
Define Key Goals
•Mutliple objectives for each goal
Refine Objectives
•Outline all tactics such as email, social media, etc
•Align measures to key performance indicators
Tactics
Measurements/Key Performance Indicators
Target Audience
Goals
Objectives
Tactics & Measure
A CULTURE OF COMMUNICATION
2. Enhance the communication competencies of Mecklenburg County
Employees
 Interview, presentation preparation
 Develop media strategies
 Frequent interactions with key stakeholders and spokespeople
72
PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Engage stakeholders to provide content for effective communication
Board of County Commissioners
County Manager & Executive Team
Department Directors & Staff
PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION
2. Develop key messages and themes to further educate the
community on County initiatives
What is a County responsibility?
What is the County’s Budget Process?
How do residents want to receive information?
Tell the Mecklenburg County story to reach most people.
73
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION MEDIA
1. Continue to enhance effective communication media, such as:
◦ Web: MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
◦ Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram, Periscope
◦ Media: TV, radio, print, video, photos
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION MEDIA
2. County Social Media and Website usage by the numbers:
◦ The 2015 Community Survey results named MecklenburgCountyNC.gov as the number
one source for residents to receive County information.
◦ New users increased 10% from 2014 to 2015.
◦ New mobile users increased 30% from 2014 to 2015.
74
COMMUNITY RELATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
1. Hold community meetings and meet with key community
stakeholders to enhance partnerships
 Increase awareness of programs and services
 Proactively provide face‐to‐face meeting opportunities
 Help residents access services and information
COMMUNITY RELATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
2. Tailor outreach to fit diverse demographic groups
 Meet the changing needs of our community
 Ensure communication barriers are addressed
 Provide options for how individuals receive information
 Design opportunities to engage residents
75
Internal Communication and Public Awareness
CHRIS PEEK, DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNUAL RETREAT
76