| Plexus Consulting Group | Success Stories | ||
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U. S. Coast Guard |
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The Office of Governmental and Public Affairs
of the U.S. Coast Guard was created in November 1998 as a result of a
study of Service-wide communications issues. The Office's mission is to
build appreciation for the value of the Service by participating in the
development of policy and providing the Coast Guard with clear,
coordinated and consistent internal and external communication.
To that end, the Office retained Plexus to assist in the development of a strategic communications plan to coordinate the development, delivery, evaluation and reporting of key Coast Guard communications. As a first step, Plexus Consulting Group met with Office staff and obtained key documents pertinent to the Office's long term operations and strategic directions as well as data about staffing, budgeting/financial information, previous studies of communications activities, and past strategic communications plans. The Situation The Plexus Approach The need for the development of an overarching plan was evident due to the increasing fragmentation of the communications functions within the Service; this fragmentation led to the creation of a "stove pipe" effect: lack of communications interaction among the U.S. Coast Guard HQ communicating entities. Personal Interviews Conference Results Furthermore, the participants translated their visions into strategic objectives outlining the activities the Office will pursue to fulfill its mission and communications goals. The product of the two-day conference was a multi-year Strategic Communications Plan. In order for this Plan to be implemented, the Plexus team recommended the creation of a permanent structure (Corporate Communications Council) to coordinate the communications function of 14 entities within the Service. Rear Admiral Patrick Stillman, Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs, approved the plan and endorsed the recommended structural changes. Approval of the plan by the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant is pending. |
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