Information gathering during a campaign

We (communicators) are all experts at gathering information. Sometimes too much information. And we stumble willingly into this condition called analysis paralysis.?

Our innate fear of failure coupled with overthinking threatens to undo all the hard work and efforts you have put in for your campaign, and deep down, we start to consider redoing the entire campaign (not always possible), finding more data (always possible) and remaining stuck (bad idea).?

Instead, accept that there will be more information and inputs than needed. Figure out how to be more selective, and to design your plan (or a system) that can help you manage the flow, and ensure that you just…keep…moving (swimming).?

We share 3 practices we encourage you to adopt to deal with information gathering. Drop me a DM if you want some support on putting together your system for the first time. ??

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Launching and running a PR or marketing campaign can be akin to setting sail on a voyage. You begin with a meticulously planned and executed strategy. The research is done, target audience identified, messages crafted, and tactics planned and ready to execute. You set sail with confidence, ready to navigate the waters of customer opinion.?

Yet, as the campaign unfolds, you find yourself moving along a dynamic and ever-changing environment. New trends emerge, customer sentiment shifts, unforeseen events occur. The landscape of both customer and public opinion is as unpredictable and changeable as the open sea.?

In the face of these changes, it is easy to cling steadfastly to your initial strategy. After all, a lot of time and effort went into planning. However, just as the sailor who ignores the changing weather and currents can end up off course, so too can a campaign that stubbornly ignores new input.?

Campaigns, like voyages, are dynamic. They unfold in real time, in response to a multitude of factors both within and beyond your control. The ability to adapt to new information - to adjust your sails to the shifting winds, so to speak - is crucial to the success of your campaign.?

Analysis Paralysis: When there is just too much information

Yet, the challenge for many communicators is not the lack of mindset or effort in gathering information.?

The challenge typically lies at the other end of the spectrum. We recognise that information is power. It provides all manner of insights, guides decision-making, and fuels strategic planning.?

However, being open to all types of information and data can lead to a unique challenge - analysis paralysis.?

Analysis paralysis is a state of over-analysis where an individual or a team is so caught up in the process of examining and evaluating various points of data or factors that they are unable to decide or take meaningful action.?

It can be like standing at a crossroads with countless paths, each one branching out into more paths. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming, leading to indecision and inaction.?

The fear of choosing the wrong path, of making a mistake, can leave you frozen in place. This is a real challenge, especially coupled with our all-too-human instinct to avoid failure.?

But when you are in ‘campaign mode’, this fear can be counterproductive. The fear of making a wrong decision can lead to no decision being made at all. And when running a campaign, inaction can be just as detrimental as making the wrong move.

Selective information gathering can help overcome analysis paralysis

So, how can we overcome these challenges??

The answer lies in the mindset we adopt towards information gathering.?

Be a discerning gatekeeper, not an indiscriminate collector.?

It is about understanding that not all information is created equal. Some are more relevant to your campaign than others.?

The key is to be selective. This does not mean shutting out new input.?

On the contrary, it means being open to new input but with a discerning eye. It’s about sifting through the sea of information and picking out the pearls of relevance and value.?

It is about asking the right questions:

1.???? What information or data do we let through, and why?

2.???? What aligns with our campaign goals?

3.???? What provides valuable insights?

4.???? What helps us make informed decisions??

Being selective also means maintaining focus on your campaign goals. It can be easy to get lost in the maze or mountain of information. But by keeping your eyes locked onto campaign goals and outcomes, you can navigate through the information overload with direction.?

Sidebar: Analysis Paralysis: The role of fear of failure in decision-making

Our innate fear of failure often fuels analysis paralysis.?

This fear is a deeply ingrained aspect of our psychology, a survival mechanism designed to protect us from harm. However, in the context of decision-making, this fear can become a hindrance rather than a help.?

Continue reading the article through this link to find out how analysis paralysis threatens to undo all the hard work and efforts you have put in for your campaign, and discover 3 practices we encourage you to adopt to deal with information gathering.?

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