MAKING STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WORK

摘要

The increasing interest and knowledge of the community in sustainability, and water in particular, means that organisations like Yarra Valley Water must plan for the future with their stakeholders alongside - not as followers, but as fellow travellers. Increasingly there is a need to evolve different ways of actively keeping the communication channels open and adopting a listening role as well as knowing when it is appropriate to inform or educate. Genuine engagement with stakeholders cannot be an occasional symbolic event. It is now an ongoing imperative for success. Stakeholder relationships are now a part of the business - not an addition. When the objectives are complex and of paramount importance there may sometimes be a requirement to invest in an independent facilitator to provide guidance with suitable processes and best practice facilitation. This does not absolve the hosts. They become fellow participants free to engage in frank conversations about issues that are critical for all present.