Your stakeholder is unresponsive to your research updates. How can you re-engage them effectively?

Consider the format and delivery of your updates. Sometimes, a simple change in how information is presented can significantly increase engagement. For instance, if your stakeholder prefers visual data, incorporating infographics, charts, and concise summaries could make your updates more appealing. If they are pressed for time, a brief executive summary at the beginning of your report can help them quickly grasp the key points without wading through lengthy documents. The goal is to make your updates as accessible and digestible as possible.

Understanding your stakeholders' needs is crucial for re-engaging them effectively by: - Listening actively to their concerns and feedback. - Identifying their priorities and expectations. - Tailoring communication and initiatives to meet their interests. - Demonstrating alignment with their goals and values. - Building trust through transparent and responsive actions.

Throughout my career in research, I remember a specific case where one of our main stakeholders had ceased to actively participate. Instead of sending the usual updates that we distributed to the whole group, I decided to personalize my approach. First, I used their name in all communications and made sure to recall specific details from our past conversations. For example, in one update, I mentioned how one of our recent findings could directly influence one of the areas she had highlighted as of interest in a previous meeting. I also included an explicit thank you for her previous contributions, emphasizing how crucial they had been for the progress of the projec

In my research career, I have learned that simplifying updates is crucial for maintaining stakeholder engagement. First, I broke down complex information into smaller, more digestible parts. Instead of lengthy technical explanations, I used bullet points to highlight the key findings and their implications. I ensured that each update was clear, concise, and focused on the most relevant points for each stakeholder. For example, in one particular update, instead of diving deep into the technical aspects of a new methodology we were using, I provided a brief overview of the method and directly related it to the potential benefits for the stakeholders’ interests.

In academia/ research, everyone faces this at one time or another. The key is to make them recognize your work and your passion behind your research idea. Be bold and see if you can present your ideas to someone apart from your institution. Seek strong research collaborations with expert researchers from your field. Attending conferences, research symposiums, and networking made a difference. Another tip would be to stay active on your professional work updates on Linkedin, you can just reach out to your stakeholders from official mail and if needed you can subtly tag some higher officials too to highlight the importance.

In my research career, I have found that offering exclusivity is a powerful strategy to re-engage stakeholders. There was an instance when a key stakeholder had become unresponsive. To address this, I decided to offer exclusive access to some preliminary findings of our research. I organized a special briefing session just for this stakeholder, where I presented the latest insights and upcoming results before they were shared with the wider audience. During the session, I emphasized how their feedback and involvement were crucial to shaping the next steps of the research.