Simplify Your Strategy for Stakeholders using Get Who To By
Ah, the joys of stakeholder management. It's like herding cats while juggling chainsaws. Everyone has an opinion, and somehow, the strategy gets lost in translation. Enter the Get Who To By framework. This beauty cuts through the noise and gives you a clear path to make your strategy simple enough for stakeholders to understand—and maybe even care about. Let’s whip that strategy into shape without the usual corporate jargon.
The TL;DR
Use the Get Who To By framework to simplify your strategy for stakeholders: GET (who to target), WHO (specific insights about their behavior), TO (the message), and BY (the mechanism). This will help you communicate effectively and cut through the typical stakeholder chaos.
Why Get Who To By Works for Stakeholder Strategies
Stakeholders are busy people who often don't have the time or interest to sift through your convoluted strategy. This framework forces you to clarify your goals and make them digestible. No more fancy slides that put everyone to sleep.
The Four Steps
GET
Who are the stakeholders that will impact your strategy?
Identify the key players who have the power to greenlight or derail your strategy. The smaller and more influential, the better. If you can’t name them, you’re still in the weeds.
WHO
What specific insights do you have about these stakeholders?
Understand their priorities, frustrations, and how they typically engage with strategies. What do they value? What are their pain points? If you can't pinpoint these, good luck getting them on board.
TO
How can you make your ask ridiculously clear?
Craft a message that cuts through their busy schedules. It should be so obvious that they can’t help but nod along. If your request sounds like a complex riddle, go back to the drawing board.
BY
What mechanism will ensure they act on your strategy?
Outline a straightforward plan to make it happen. Whether it's a short presentation or a one-pager, it should make taking action feel like a no-brainer. If your mechanism is a convoluted process, don’t expect them to follow through.
Common Stakeholder Strategy Blunders
(Trust Us, We’ve Seen It All)
- ×Trying to please everyone with a convoluted strategy
- ×Vague insights that leave stakeholders confused
- ×Messages that require a PhD to understand
- ×Failing to connect the strategy to their interests
- ×Overlooking key stakeholders who can make or break your strategy
- ×Assuming they’ll just 'get it' without clear communication
- ×Relying on lengthy documents instead of clear, actionable points
- ×Neglecting to follow up and maintain engagement
Avoid these traps, and you'll already be in the top 20% of successful stakeholder strategies.
Real Examples
Product Development Strategy
Launching a new product line that needs stakeholder buy-in.
GET
C-Suite Executives.
WHO
Concerned about ROI and market competitiveness, they need to see hard numbers that back the strategy.
TO
Invest in the new product line to capture a growing market segment.
BY
Presenting a concise report with projected revenue increases and competitor analysis, paired with a clear budget plan.
Why this works
By targeting the decision-makers and presenting data they care about, you make it hard for them to say no. Numbers speak louder than buzzwords.
Marketing Campaign Strategy
Kickstarting a campaign that requires collaboration from various departments.
GET
Marketing and Sales Teams.
WHO
Frustrated with overlapping campaigns that confuse customers and dilute efforts.
TO
Align on a unified campaign that boosts both brand visibility and sales.
BY
Creating a shared calendar and brief that outlines specific roles and timelines, plus a feedback loop for adjustments.
Why this works
This clarity helps everyone see their part in the bigger picture, reducing overlap and confusion. Collaboration becomes seamless rather than a tug-of-war.
Organizational Change Strategy
Implementing a new company-wide software that needs stakeholder support.
GET
Department Heads.
WHO
Worried about productivity drops during the transition period.
TO
Adopt the new software to improve efficiency in the long run.
BY
Demonstrating a clear transition plan that includes training sessions and a timeline that minimizes disruption.
Why this works
Addressing their concerns directly with a well-structured plan eases fears and fosters buy-in. Transparency is your ally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I simplify my strategy for stakeholders?
Use the Get Who To By framework to pinpoint who your stakeholders are, what they care about, and how to communicate your strategy clearly.
What’s the first step in the Get Who To By framework?
Identify the key stakeholders who will impact your strategy. This isn't just about names—it's about understanding their influence.
Why is behavioral insight important?
Because knowing how stakeholders think and act helps you tailor your message to resonate with them. If you ignore their behavior, you're wasting your time.
What should my message look like?
Your message should be crystal clear and actionable. If it sounds like marketing fluff, it's time for some serious rewriting.
How can I ensure stakeholders will act on my strategy?
Outline a simple mechanism that makes it easy for them to take action. If it feels like a chore, they won't bother.
Generate a Framework for your Product Launch Strategy
Use our framework generator to generate various Get Who To By, 4C, 4 Points Strategy, and other frameworks — all in one place and directly to editable Google SLIDES!
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