The Stakeholder Engagement Manual Volume 2 - AccountAbility

STAGE 2
SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY M7:
ASSESSING YOUR CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS AND DRAFTING
STAKEHOLDER SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Th e purpose of this activity is to identify the ways in which you are currently engaging
with the relevant stakeholders on the material issues that you have prioritised, and
at the same time to start thinking if and how you want to develop these relationships
further. Th e outcomes help to fi ll in the stakeholder assessment Template (Template 6),
and feed into further decisions.
Conduct a workshop or have a series of internal discussions with those
involved in managing stakeholder relationships. Get together with the people
(e.g. procurement-manager, customer relations, external aff airs, etc.) within your
company who are currently dealing with internal and external stakeholders on the
issues prioritised. Explore the current relationship with them, and how
these relate to the issues that you have identifi ed regarding the specifi c
stakeholder group.
Discuss the possibilities for engagement with these stakeholders.
Is the current combination of approaches to engaging with them suffi cient
to address the issues in a satisfactory way? Does it require other engagement
approaches, maybe on a diff erent level? Would the stakeholders actually have
the capacity (e.g. human and other resources, global presence) to take part in a
diff erent approach to engagement?
Formulate simple Stakeholder Specifi c Objectives that relate to the issues and
stakeholders – considering the possible levels of engagement - using sentences like:
• “To make sure they are well informed of our approach to XXX”
• “To ensure that they do not become hostile to us.”
• “To be aware of their actions regarding…”
• “To convince them to…”
• “To make sure our policy on XXX meets their expectations.”
• “To share responsibility with them for…”
For some stakeholders, you may wish to formulate several objectives. Be sure that
these are aligned with your overall strategic engagement objectives for the issues
that you are engaging on.
THE PRACTITIONER'S HANDBOOK ON STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT | 63