Areas of Practice

Message Strategy

Translating the complexity of a leader’s expertise into a story that lands — a clear, credible Story Flow Narrative built for the audience in front of them.

Most leaders don’t have a content problem; they have a translation problem.

The environment demands that the positioning around a company, franchise or issue is strategic, consistent, and persuasive — and that it holds up under scrutiny. The work is taking the complexity of their expertise and turning it into a narrative compelling enough to persuade the people they intend to influence.

Senior leaders often fall into the Expert’s Dilemma. With a wealth of expertise, they treat the communicative opportunity as additive, continually adding information and details. The result is too much information that, instead of creating clarity, often leads to confusion. I focus as much on what to leave out as what to prioritize so that clarity of communication is achieved.

Experts often claim the data speak for themselves. They don’t. The same FDA action can be reported as “One Step Closer to Approval” or as “FDA Action Spells Delay.” The same quarter can read as discipline or as retreat. My approach is making sure a leader’s numbers carry a clarifying point of view, framing the evidence so it means something, rather than merely adding to the confusion.

Message Strategy

The Message Mapping process

At the core is a proven Message Mapping process that translates key messages into an actionable Story Flow Narrative that is credible and compelling for every constituent, and customizable for any setting, internal or external.

In a working session, we:

Shape the Position

Identify a compelling position for the company, franchise, issue, or product.

Map the Narrative

Map the messages into a credible, compelling Story Flow that communicates the key advantages in language that resonates for each audience.

Build Consensus

Ensure alignment with the company point of view and across the team on a single, consistent, relevant position.

Anticipate the Hard Questions

Predict what difficult issues might arise and prepare credible responses with a leadership point of view.

Message Strategy

Where it applies

TED-Style Storytelling

“Tell me a story, don’t message to me” is what every audience wants: we build a narrative compelling enough to earn real attention from a demanding audience.

Translating Data into Stories

Translating quarterly earnings, data announcements, and business developments into accessible and credible news by overcoming the Expert’s Dilemma.

Issues Management

Deploying a proactive message strategy that mitigates the communication noise around a sensitive topic, with responses mapped for the most difficult ‘hot button’ questions.

Investor Messaging

Developing a differentiated investment thesis and the reasons to believe which can be carried through to delivery in Investor, Media & Industry Events.

Message Strategy

Who it’s for

Leaders and teams who need one clear, credible story — and the consensus to tell it consistently.

C-suite & Founders

Defining the position for a company, product, or pivotal issue.

Leaders and Leadership Teams

Building consensus on the reasons to believe by ensuring everyone is communicating a consistent story.

Physician-Scientists

Translating complex data and science for non-expert audiences.

Communication, IR and HR Leaders

Aligning the organization on a single narrative across every channel.

Message Strategy
Barry Davis
CEO, EnLink Midstream Partners

“The best-of-the-best when it comes to helping our executive team transform complex industry and financial data points into effective messages. We’ve moved from lengthy scripts to concise ‘Road Maps’ that let us tell a compelling story.”

Message Strategy

Have a story that needs
sharpening?

Let’s map the narrative — and the proof points behind it.

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