Owning the ConversationA Case Study from Chico

Chico POA – Situation & Strategy

What we saw:• Big Negotiation Problems – layoffs & cuts• Other units getting raises new positions• Lack of support – random angerWhat we started doing• Focus – regroup• Find a message that worked

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Chico POA – Key Messages

• Public Safety Trumps Everything• People support public safety• Police Department is understaffed

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Step One – Define the Debate

• Its not enough• Its for the people• We are understaffed

– and that is irresponsible leadership

• Bonus Points: Keep it Simple!

• Not about pay4

Getting people on-the-record: Councilman Bob Evans thinks the city needs to prioritize public safety, including police and fire, above lesser needs, he said. "I agree with them 100 percent," Evans said. "They're understaffed and they need more bodies on the street." 5

Step Two – Drive the conversation

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Step Two – Drive the conversation

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Step Three – Allies & Opponents

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“We believe this program will backfire”

Maximize Mistakes

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“They chooose to make other programs a priority over and over again”

Respond Quickly

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Define Council as “overspenders”

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Real Time Outcomes

• Step One: Identify the conversation you want to have.

• Step Two: Drive the chain of events – don’t wait.

• Step Three: Know your friends and enemies.• Repeat• If your enemies hate it do it a lot more• Repeat above

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Working in Coalitions

Working in Coalitions

• Coordination or Collaboration

• Where is the capacity coming from?

• Who sets the goals?• Who is the traffic cop &

enforcer?

Working in Coalitions• Lay out goals and

objectives.

• In coalition, develop communications plan

• Get buy-off from key players

• Assign roles & stick to them