Communication that wins debates

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“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

– Sun Tzu, The Art of War –

Barker Strategy is a strategic communications consultancy used by the world’s largest businesses, political leaders, private family offices, and new entrant challengers and technology disruptors around the globe. We equip clients with outcome-focused communications strategies that cut through the noise and achieve objectives.

We measure success by outcome, not input or process. Our aim is not to create splashes or secure airtime for clients unless necessary. We focus on doing what’s needed to resolve corporate issues, help clients get elected to high office, ensure reputational transformation or to help bring about legislative or regulatory reform.

You won’t find this site littered with the logos of people who hire us. We don’t advertise who we advise because our aim is to solve problems without anyone other than the client knowing the problem ever existed in the first place.

CONNECTING

you to politics, media and policymakers

DEPLOYING

persuasive arguments that will change perception and win the debate

“FORGETTING OUR OBJECTIVES IS THE MOST FREQUENT OF ALL ACTS OF STUPIDITY.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844 –

Traditionally “public affairs” meant talking to government and elected politicians while “public relations” meant speaking to the public.  But in an age of fast-paced media coverage and digital communication networks, this distinction no longer works.

Here are the 5 steps we take:

1. Objective

This can be simple but often gets lost in the myriad of emails, meetings and the constant desire to ‘do something’.

We help clients identify their precise reputational, policy or regulatory objective, so that everything we do stems from that principal aim.

2. Audience

Who are the key decision makers in this instance?

Communications strategies that say everything to everyone say very little to anyone. Audiences can be as small as one person.

We will help you identify the key attributes of your audience so we know exactly who to communicate to and what to say.

Good communications strategies are not simply a matter of reporting facts. They target precise audiences, understand how these audiences feel (as much as what they know), and deliver messages and arguments which help these audiences achieve their own objectives as well as our own.

3. Research

As Jim Rohn said, “Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.”

Understanding how your audience feels, listening to their instincts and putting it at the heart of your strategy will always generate better results than lecturing them.

We don’t guess the emotional and intellectual starting point of our audience.  We dig into the key drivers, behaviours and motivators of our target audience so that our communications strategy is based on data and fact.

What does our audience think, why, and which arguments and ideas can help them change their mind and act differently?

4. Advice

Based on the research of our target audience, we produce strategic recommendations – tangible steps clients can take to translate our insight into action and start achieving results.  

5. Delivery

We undertake the smallest and most cost-effective campaign necessary to achieve your objectives and communicate effectively with the target audience, with minimum fanfare.

We don’t create fuss for the sake of it.

This can range from effective government or parliamentary relations support using our international network, right through to full scale communications campaigns across multiple communication channels. 

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

– Sun Tzu, The Art of War –

Testimonials

Brilliant communications strategies, research and advice that motivate the right audiences at the right time.

CEO of major UK energy company

First class strategic counsel and a pleasure to work with.

UK Cabinet Minister

One of the best communication professionals in Westminster.

UK Political Editor

Clever, strategic and great ability to condense ideas into clear and succinct messages.

Chairman of international hotel and restaurant group

Barker Strategy tells it like it is, carefully dissecting the challenge and then coming up with clear tactical solutions. They’re not a consultancy to us…they are a trusted business partner.

CEO of UK news channel

Calm, objective-led, thorough and a pleasure to work alongside.

former UK cabinet MINISTER

Indispensable partner when it really counts.

UK MP AND MINISTER

Vital, clear-headed and focused support when we needed it most.

CEO of UK property company

“Knowledge, experience, and theory have limitations: no amount of thinking in advance can prepare you for the chaos of life, for the infinite possibilities of the moment.”

– Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies of War –

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“Being attacked is a sign that you are important enough to be a target…relish the attention and the chance to prove yourself.”

– Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies of War –