Strategic Research and Campaign Planning

Blue Pencil can help you do the critical background research and analysis that give your campaigns the best chance to succeed. Just as importantly, I can work with your team to translate that research into comprehensive strategies and concrete action items. I have experience completing a wide range of research projects, including:

Profiles of public and private companies ▪ Analyses of geographic markets or industries ▪ Power maps detailing connections among individuals (board members, corporations, elected officials, etc.) ▪ Corporate governance and executive compensation ▪ Policy research and analysis, including campaign finance and lobbying expenditures ▪ Responsible development and subsidy accountability ▪ Support for workplace health and safety campaigns ▪ Support for environmental justice campaigns

Message Development

You’ve done the research. You’ve made the plan. What’s next? Packaging that information in a way that’s immediately useful to all your key stakeholders. Blue Pencil is not a communications firm, but I can help you translate detailed research into materials that your team can use to move campaigns forward. This includes creating talking points, fact sheets, fliers, and related materials that can be used to educate elected officials, members, workers, and other stakeholders.

Training and Capacity Building

strategic planning training

Take your team through the process of planning a campaign step-by-step. Learn how to identify targets, analyze the interests of stakeholders, identify and prioritize potential pressure points, develop an escalation plan, and build momentum once you win.

Want to learn more? Start with this overview of the strategic planning curriculum.

Research training

Give staff or member leaders an orientation on the basics of campaign research, or go deeper with your team on specific subjects or skills. Trainings can be customized to the specifics of your organization.

Organizing Training

Blue Pencil can help facilitate organizing trainings for unions and worker centers that focus in on how to have effective conversations and move workers to action. One-day trainings are great for identifying potential organizers from within your membership. Longer trainings can get a new organizer ready to go into the field, or refresh the skills of those with more experience.