This insights post is a summary of the blog post published by Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications. View the full insight at: Shutdown Strategy: Your Communications Guide to Effectively Navigate This Moment.
The US Government has entered a government shutdown. With it comes heightened uncertainty for organizations that depend on Washington, DC. From delayed contracts and grants to stalled regulatory timelines and unpredictable agency engagement, there is a potential for an extended shutdown there may be significant ripple effects. Worldcom Partner, RH Strategic helps clients navigate moments like to ensure they remain visible, credible, and resilient.
In the days ahead, there will be wall-to-wall media coverage, increasingly polarized narratives from both parties, and a limited ability to engage with agency contacts. For organizations, this means two things:
- Prepare for immediate operational impacts
- Have a thoughtful communications plan ready
Shutdown coverage will crowd out other news – policy and national – making it harder for other issues to break through. It is necessary to assess your business and media priorities for the coming weeks, and understand how the shutdown may impact them. Clear internal updates, transparent stakeholder messaging, and carefully positioned external visibility will demonstrate situational awareness and leadership in a crowded and chaotic conversation.
RH Strategic has created a 1-2-3 Government Shutdown Playbook designed for moments like these. The playbook outlines the most important steps organizations can take now — from shaping the message and preparing the right team, to leveraging relationships that strengthen your position as the situation evolves:
- Own Your Message: This process includes elements like avoiding choosing sides, developing talking points, being transparent / authentic, and preparing reactive statements.
- Read the Team for Impact: It is best to get your team organized around the needs including assembling a ‘tiger team’, audit messaging, controlling the chatter, and being aware of impact.
- Activate Your Ecosystem: It is important to remember to engage your partners. Stay connected with your trade associations, coalitions, and Congressional delegation during the shutdown.
With the right strategy, organizations can weather moments of uncertainty and emerge as trusted voices in their field. To get more details about these strategies, read the full article get the playbook at: Shutdown Strategy: Your Communications Guide to Effectively Navigate This Moment.
