Seven Letter

Key Questions for Executives Leading Communications to Ask During Strategic Planning for 2025:? ? With 2025 on the horizon, many communication teams have their strategic plans for the year ahead nearly set. These questions will illuminate whether the plan aligns with the organization’s purpose and mission, anticipates challenges and is set up for measurable success. Most importantly, does your plan support themes of value creation for your organization? Here are powerful questions to ask—and answer—that can help assess and refine your 2025 strategy. ? ??. ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ??????????????????? Start by considering the larger environment your organization will face in 2025. Ask yourself: Have we factored in key industry, regulatory, and social trends that could impact our communication strategy? A robust environmental scan can reveal external forces or internal dynamics that may shape communications needs, from regulatory shifts to changing workforce dynamics. ??. ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????? Alignment is essential for impactful communication. To evaluate this, ask: Do our goals directly support the company’s larger strategic objectives? Ensure your goals go beyond general objectives and focus on specific outcomes, like enhancing employee engagement or strengthening stakeholder trust, that align with what the organization seeks to achieve. ??. ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????????????? Measurable objectives are crucial for tracking progress and adjusting efforts as needed. Ask: Can each objective be tracked with specific, quantifiable metrics? This could include engagement scores for internal communications or sentiment analysis for public relations efforts. Measurable objectives ensure you can objectively gauge success and provide a basis for future planning. ??. ???? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????????????? Review your overarching strategies and specific tactics. Ask: Are we using the best approaches to achieve our objectives? For example, if building trust is a key goal, does your strategy include proactive transparency initiatives? Tactics should support strategies effectively—whether through targeted media outreach in public relations or enhanced communication platforms in employee communications. ??. ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????????????????? A strategic plan is an opportunity to showcase communications’ contribution to the business. Ask: Does our plan clearly articulate how it adds value to the organization? Defining how your work influences areas like corporate reputation, employee satisfaction, or stakeholder trust not only clarifies purpose but demonstrates the impact of communication on business success.?

Our partner Matt G. headed up to Rhode Island this week with the NECTA team to present findings from the 2024 Innovation Index, an annual survey tracking trends in cable and broadband. These insights will help industry leaders make informed decisions that benefit consumers.

This week's CONTROL episode is out now, featuring Axios Hans Nichols. Listen to the latest insights from Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller here: https://lnkd.in/eg-98SpS

A new poll conducted by Seven Letter Insight on behalf of Environmental Protection Network shows overwhelming majorities of voters in the most recent election oppose weakening the EPA, with 86% of all voters and 76% of Trump voters sharing that position. “These numbers were frankly astounding” Matt G. DC SL partner & head of research. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gzf482wH

Mike Johnson walks into the ring... It's not the start of a joke, it's a new episode of CONTROL! Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore the dynamics of the Johnson-Trump relationship and upcoming confirmation fights. Special guest Axios’ Hans Nichols joins to discuss the major players driving Capitol Hill. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eamfbUtM

What do “The Joe Rogan Experience”, “Call Her Daddy” & “The Ringer Fantasy Football Show” all have in common? A surprising role in the most recent election. Our colleague?Samuel Smith is out with a piece in PRNEWS about the changing definition of "media" and how strategies are changing to reach niche audiences. Give it a read! https://lnkd.in/gF85AFrS

Check out our own Annalyse Keller who joined Chris Jansing to discuss the election of the next Senate Majority Leader and what she's going to be watching for in the coming weeks and months.?

New from Seven Letter Insight: 2024 Exit Polls: What Drove Voter Decisions and Shaped the Election ?? While the ballots are still being counted, 2024’s national exit polls provide a glimpse into the motivations of the American electorate. Conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Poll consortium of ABC News, CBS News, CNN and NBC News across key states, these polls help explain who voted and why. It’s important to note that exit polls are not a true picture of the demographics of the electorate.? We won’t know the specifics until the votes are completed, certified, and filed.?? This year, the major theme was dissatisfaction with the country's economy. Nearly three-quarters of voters (73%) expressed anger or frustration, while only about a quarter (25%) felt satisfied or enthusiastic about the path our country is currently on. This dissatisfaction was most pronounced among Republicans (62%), though Democrats also reported feeling dissatisfied or angry (36%), indicating that frustration cut partly across party lines. ? Democracy (34%) and the economy (32%) were the two biggest issues driving voters to the polls. Democratic voters were more likely to have voted based on “protecting democracy” than any other issue. The same trend applied for Republicans when it came to “the economy.” Abortion (14%) and immigration (11%) were important but secondary concerns. When asked to choose which candidates were “better” on individual issues, voters trusted Trump on the one issue that mattered the most: the economy (52% to 46%).? Trump also held an edge when it came to immigration (53% to 44%), crime and safety (52% to 46%), and handling crises (52% to 46%). Abortion was the only issue tested where voters trusted Harris (49%) more than Trump (45%). Voter turnout among young people appears to have decreased by 3% from 2020.? Interestingly, though, younger voters were much more likely to choose Republican candidates than they were in 2020.? Gen X voters (ages 45-64) made up the largest voting group (35%) and showed an astounding 10% increase in favorability for Republican candidates since 2020. The 2024 exit polls do a decent job of helping us understand who voted and why.? Our third Seven Letter Insight Post Election Poll, which is wrapping up soon, will hold clear direction for what voters want from those leaders over the next two years.? Stay tuned for that poll’s results soon!?

Don’t miss the special 50th episode of CONTROL featuring the results of the CONTROL Election Prediction Contest – out now!?https://lnkd.in/eGa3Bpen

Who will be the next Senate Majority Leader? Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller analyze the candidates as the race intensifies. Then, they shift their focus to the new battle in the House for the Republican Conference Chair as well as check in on Speaker Johnson’s standing in the House. Producer Benji Englander wraps up the episode with a recap of the CONTROL Election Prediction Contest. Listen now:?https://lnkd.in/eGa3Bpen