federal communicators network: survey of federal communicators reveals challenges, opportunities

3/3/2016 Federal Communicators Network : Survey of Federal Communicators Reveals Challenges, Opportunities

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First-ever Survey “by Feds, for Feds,” Shows HowCommunication Professionals View Current State of TheirProfession

Innovation in communication methods should be the number one priority forfederal agencies today, according to the newly released results of a FederalCommunicators Network (FCN) poll. It is the first survey ever to becommissioned “by federal, career communicators for federal communicators”to assess the state of the federal communications field.

For this research project, FCN polled its 800+ members as well as the nearly1,000+ members of the Federal Social Media Community of Practice (SM-COP), between February 14-29, 2016. A total of 167 employees responded tothe survey.

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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojfjsQRKqvE/VtYqlVHgNlI/AAAAAAAAAVk/gNmahPmjnWU/s1600/CommSurveyPic.png)A Range of Critical IssuesAsked to rank the theme areas covered in the survey specifically, respondents(n=147) prioritized the “critically” or “somewhat” important issues as follows:

“Being more innovative” - 86.9%“Moving to a more proactive role” - 85.7%



“Securing more resources for communication” - 81.0%“Developing a more rigorous communication program” - 81.0%“Sharing best practices and other resources between agencies” - 75.3%

The concepts for these top five theme areas crystallized over a period ofapproximately three months, based on several informal brainstorming sessionssponsored by the FCN and attended by hundreds of career, non-partisanemployees across the spectrum of government. (All opinions expressed bymembers are those of employees themselves, and did not represent those oftheir agencies.)Engagement by the Partnership for Public Service

At a meeting held in Washington, D.C. on February 26 to discuss the study’sfindings, the Partnership for Public Service’s Director of the Center forPresidential Transition David Eagles praised the FCN for its excellent work,highlighting its national security aspects.

“Transition is a period of vulnerability for the country,” said Eagles. “Whenyou’re exiting the White House on Inauguration Day, who do you talk to?”

Eagles noted that federal communication is vital for public service “in a waythat’s not political.” He emphasized: “It’s just smart planning to make thetransition process more standardized (rather than having)...a very reactiveconversation.”

High-Level Solutions

Attendees at the FCN meeting engaged in a brainstorming exercise to discussthe results of the FCN Survey. The job for each group was to offer solutions tothe problem and at least three ways of implementing the solution.

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Although it is too soon to offer a comprehensive view of these suggestions, onefactor stood out: “data.” As one participant put it: “Get a seat at the table, offerhard data, connect activities to the mission, and show the value of what you do.”Next Steps

For the remainder of this spring, FCN writers and graphic designers will beworking together to summarize the survey’s findings as well asrecommendations from federal communicators themselves, in a white paperplanned for release in the fall.

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federal communicators network: survey of federal communicators reveals challenges, opportunities

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