How do you keep stakeholders connected across platforms?

In my experience, you need to understand the people you work with and understand their knowledge backgrounds, as well as their method of learning. Once you know these, you can tailor your communication style to each stakeholders so everyone can understand and get something out of the communication. I think we need to pay more attention that we all learn differently and it’s virtual as a product manager to have the skill to tailor your message accordingly.

I recommended a communication plan aligned with goals and the association of stakeholders' objectives. From a stakeholder's perspective, they want to get the communication in such a way that it helps them to understand, associate and achieve something from that. Ex. The sales lead is more focused on the sales increase, and the support lead is more concentrated on decreasing support tickets. Precise communication will allow and help them to be aligned with the objective. I think a chat on Slack or hangout would be good enough for quick updates, email on detailing out, call or one-to-one for elaboration for understanding between the lines. A document (Memo) is to refer to the getting details.

In my experience, having a stakeholder register is not just for project managers but also for product managers so you can cater your communication to key stakeholders especially top management and key sponsors where you need their support. You have to be open to cater your communication for the different stakeholders and depending on the situation. Meetings are for specific reasons and to take decisions and alignment arhat cannot be done in different mediums like emails and chats and you need to frontload information to stakeholders before the meeting to make it super effective.

I design my communication plan based on my stakeholder map. Stakeholder maps are a PM superpower. ?? Create on and give each stakeholder the correct info dose per interest level. An insightful map enables targeted outreach. But don't spread yourself thin engaging everyone.

In a dynamic environment, stakeholder needs, project goals, and team compositions can evolve. Therefore, it's vital to keep the lines of communication open and adapt your plan accordingly. This ensures that you're addressing the right information to the right people in the most effective manner. Encourage stakeholders to share their thoughts on the communication process itself. Are they receiving the information they need, and is it presented in a way that's meaningful to them? This feedback can help fine-tune your communication plan and create a more collaborative and engaged project environment. A well-structured communication plan is not static but evolving and should serve as a guideline for effective project communication.

This is often taken on a lighter note but tools play a critical role in effective communication and information sharing. Tools like JIRA, Slack have filled the void to a larger extent but still I find areas where these tools lack. Consider a scenario where a tool not only considers the timelines of the project but also shows the business value of the project to stakeholders involved. Apart from this, Tools should be designed in a way to minimize redundant communication related to updates from various stakeholders but all such information should be automatically fetched on the basis of most recent activity by stakeholders.

The key to keeping stakeholders connected across platforms is to select a combination of tools that align with their preferences and communication needs while considering accessibility and compatibility. Striking the right balance between formality and informality, and regularly evaluating your toolset, will help maintain productivity, quality, and sanity in your role as any manager.

I'd recommend keeping the amount of tools to a minimum, that way the communications are easier to follow for what's the source of truth. Over communicate, but simplify the communication methods.

In my experience having aligned communication plan from the start is very critical and you need to make sure that what you are communicating especially during the product development phase isn’t excessive depiction if what the project manager is sharing as well to the stakeholders. You need to also understand what is the organizational culture, is more of a pull Or push communication. Do they require specific formats and style in the updates at specific stages. For example during the investement preparation for the product things can change dramatically in the first 2 weeks until you reach stable estimation, how and what do you communicate is critical.

As a consultant/ independent contractor there is great benefit in supplementing reporting to my clients by sending adding monthly or quarterly video reports to continue to be seen as an active team member in my projects.

Imagine you and your friends are trying to build the biggest sandcastle in the beach. Each of you is a stakeholder because the sandcastle matters to you. Keeping stakeholders connected is like making sure everyone knows what part of the castle they're building, so everything fits together. Communication norms are rules for how we talk. Like, not interrupting when someone's speaking, or saying 'please' and 'thank you'. They help us understand each other better and make a great sandcastle (or product) together!

Establishing communication norms is vital for smooth collaboration. Define guidelines for response times, preferred communication channels, and appropriate tone. Set expectations for regular updates and clarify protocols for urgent matters. Encourage active listening and constructive feedback. Ensure everyone understands the purpose of each communication platform and when to use it. Maintain transparency about project progress and challenges. Regularly revisit and refine these norms based on team feedback. By establishing clear communication expectations, you create a cohesive and productive environment that supports effective teamwork and project success.

Scheduling messages via email or chat is a very important option. Knowing WHEN to send WHAT is wisdom. Understand your audience and their needs. It’s important to hit the iron when it is hit.

Start by identifying the key communication channels your organization uses. These can include email, messaging apps (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), project management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana), video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and social media platforms. Clearly define the purpose of each channel to avoid redundancy.

In my experience as a product manager, managing teams across both the US and India, I have learnt that the ability to tailor communication whilst maintaining authenticity ensures an enriching connection with stakeholders, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. Understanding cultural norms is pivotal, as it aids in comprehending stakeholders' expectations and facilitating smoother interactions. Amidst these adaptations, it's equally vital to maintain authenticity. While platforms and channels may vary, a distinctive communication style can be honed. This uniqueness can be a powerful tool in differentiating oneself within a network, while still reflecting a genuine persona.

Based on my work with over 60 nationalities and different cultures, that level of adaptation and ensuring that you understand the different cultures and the way of communication is super critical. When you also deal with senior stakeholders, adding that extra layer of personalization can mean a big difference in the support you will get in the short term and will reflect on your profile and the perception your leave personally in the long term. Working from APAC with team members in the US and aligning the time zones has been very challenging as it is always night for someone and very early morning for someone else. So being having empathy in adjusting the communications especially in meetings is also super critical

It’s best to keep things purely professional, summaries and preferably in bullet points to ensure there isn’t too much ‘emotion’ in what is being said. Stay objective and any cultural or political in-appropriation is less likely to occur.

Being a flexible and empathetic communicator who can navigate cultural and contextual differences is essential for building strong relationships and achieving success in your role. You may even tailor the mode/tool of communication as well, based on the stakeholder/persona you are interacting with.

Adapting to different communication styles is key for effective interaction. Recognize that team members may have varying preferences – some might prefer concise emails, while others favor detailed discussions. Listen actively to understand their viewpoints and adapt your communication approach accordingly. Flexibility is key: use visual aids for visual learners, provide clear instructions for detail-oriented individuals, and engage in open dialogue with those who value collaboration. By accommodating diverse styles, you enhance understanding, build rapport, and foster a more inclusive and productive communication environment.

Use AI tools to understand how your communication is perceived by your audience. Allow Gen AI to help you with the first draft and it catalyses the whole communication process, especially when it is to important people like your stakeholder.

Regularly reviewing and improving your communication processes is essential for ongoing success. Reflect on what's working and what could be enhanced. Solicit feedback from team members to gather insights into their experiences and suggestions. Analyze communication breakdowns or challenges to identify areas for improvement. Make adjustments based on feedback and lessons learned. Consider adopting new tools or approaches to address evolving needs. By continuously reviewing and refining your communication strategies, you ensure that your team remains engaged, informed, and aligned, leading to increased efficiency and better project outcomes.

A periodic review of communication and alignment protocols (or strategies) ensures that the changing needs of the departments are also ingested into your stakeholder management plan. Even within the same department, communication plan is prone to change with changing leadership, priority, initiatives. Therefore, one must always be open to feedback to amend their communication plan. Why is this important? 1. Inclusion of essential information ensures completeness in consumption of information. Informed stakeholders, are happy stakeholders. 2. Quick turn around in adaptation to changes ensures the wheels are turning quickly and effectively. This can break down or make up for a great product release if done rightly.

Effective communication is a crucial skill for a successful product manager, and utilizing appropriate tools and methods can significantly improve communication with stakeholders and teams across various platforms. Product managers should select communication tools that align with their team's and stakeholders' preferences. A successful project manager should implement multiple strategies to improve communication to maintain positive and efficient relationships with stakeholders.

In my experience, communicating methods differ based on stakeholders the Product Manager is dealing with: 1. Daily stand-ups work best when working with the scrum team - developers, scrum master and engineering lead 2. A shared and living PRD is ideal to collaborate with business stakeholders, get their comments, align on business metrics and drive towards sign-off 3. Succinct and sharp presentations help get senior leadership sign-offs on big epics / new products, which require significant investment from the organisation

No such thing as one size fits all. Must stay connected via multiple channels. Must know when to communicate in a group and when be on one on one. Must be clear on what is being communicated, why being communicated and what is expected of the communication. The communication should be as much from mind as it should be from heart. Must look genuine, authentic, transparent. Only with credible communication, one can turn into effective communicator.

One important thing to always keep front of mind when dealing with various stakeholders is the means in which you communicate. It's fine to have one consistent means of sharing information to use throughout the project, but not all stakeholders will utilize it. So, you have to be flexible and willing to use multiple means of delivery. One stakeholder will want an email while another will want a 1:1 meeting and another may want a teams note. You can't tell a stakeholder what they will and won't do or refuse their [feasible] request. So, you have to be flexible AND share that there is a back up (aka your consistent means of communication).

One valuable insight I've discovered in my role as a product manager is the incredible impact of visual communication. In today's digital age, incorporating visuals like infographics, charts, and diagrams can be a game-changer. I've found that these visual aids help convey complex information more effectively, especially when dealing with stakeholders who have a strong visual preference. By integrating visuals into our updates and reports, we can simplify intricate data, making it easier to understand and fostering more engaging and impactful communication.

Here is what my experience has taught me: - Proper documentation of details and timely distribution to all stakeholders is key to the success of any initiative. It can be via email, or platforms like Asana or Jira. - Regular meeting cadence with the stakeholders to go over the details helps everyone stay on the same page and avoid misalignments. - Honesty is the best policy. Cliche but that's because it is a universal truth. Sugar-coating things can backfire. Sticking to facts, realistic timelines, and factual levels of effort enables proper alignment. - A task delivered later but well is better than a task delivered earlier but half-cooked. Expectation management is a core stakeholder alignment skill that yields benefits manifold.