Better dialogues with Business

Into my LinkedIn this week came images of an event run by Think Luton

It brought together the business and commercial sector to hear about developments affecting the local economy. The town is undergoing massive transformation with the demise of motor manufacture being offset by the expansion of the airport and everything around it.

It made me reflect that excellent public engagement is often just about bringing stakeholders together, and now that social distancing appears to be behind us, there is an overdue demand for conferences and meetings to enable people to re-connect.

Maybe those of us in the public engagement/consultation field are sometimes apt to think that the only purpose of such meetings is to table the question "What do you think?"  In reality, a better informed community of stakeholders is a pre-condition for effective debate. In these days of fake news and misinformation, there is big responsibility on Councils and others to communicate well - especially for a business community that faces immense challenges. 

Maybe those of us in the public engagement/consultation field are sometimes apt to think that the only purpose of such meetings is to table the question "What do you think?"   

In reality, a better informed community of stakeholders is a pre-condition for effective debate. In these days of fake news and misinformation, there is big responsibility on Councils and others to communicate well - especially for a business community that faces immense challenges. 

By all means consult them, but never neglect the pre-consultation information-sharing and ensure it is transparent. Delighted to see Luton making this investment.

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