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WHAT WE DO

SDK’s work centers around three major services all dedicated to results-driven communication and public engagement. We believe when you bring people with you through the process, and they see themselves in the work, the outcome of the project fundamentally improves resulting in successful projects, programs and policies. 

Strategic Engagement + Research Process

“[Stephanie helped] facilitate relationship building, provide training on project design and change management, organize the work well, and keep communication flowing between learning community partners and MDH sponsors in primary care and public health….Based on our experience, we would strongly recommend SDK.”

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— Carol Bauer

Minnesota Department of Health

We help clients engage across agencies and the public to understand a variety of needs and perspectives, place that input in broader context, and support clients to ensure engagement processes inform solid decisions. 


Specific examples include Learning Community design and facilitation, opinion and perception surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews, media scans, event sequences designed to gather input (for example, World Café facilitation format). SDK also regularly facilitates cross-department teams, advisory committees and cross- sector coalitions to engage communities and set shared policy or action.

 

  • Surveys

  • Focus groups

  • Perception interviews 

  • Communications audits

  • Media scans

  • Content analysis

  • Scenario and crisis planning

  • Strategic positioning

  • Landscape assessments

  • Event sequences designed to gather public input

  • Facilitating decision making processes​
     

Project Examples​

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“We lacked internal staff resources or capacity to do the work and SDK Communications has the expertise or experience that we needed for this project... I greatly appreciate SDK's assistance in developing a cohesive strategy and aiding in the execution of a successful campaign."

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— Paul Schnell

Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections

Complex Project Management

We facilitate leadership teams, coalitions and task forces to set shared strategies for communications and engagement. SDK also translates the input of our one-on-one meetings, the public engagement process, and sophisticated data analysis into compelling and lasting communications tools. This includes translation of technical data into layman’s terms that is digestible to a broad audience. Recognizing projects touch multiple stakeholders, clear coordination and facilitation of communications is imperative. 


Through our long-standing network of experts in graphic design, videography, StoryMaps and more, we help clients capture and communicate input in compelling ways that shape leaders’ decisions and the public’s trust and understanding. 


After creating the strategy or facilitating engagement, SDK deploys a variety of tactics to help client convey the input received and communicate future direction. Specific examples include report writing and editing, data analysis and visualization, implementation plan development, event management, social media graphics, or video development.

 

  • Graphic design

  • Social media management

  • Video (from documentary production to web snippets)

  • Engagement event sequencing and event management

  • Report and presentation design

  • Speech writing

  • Media relations

  • Outreach

  • Issues management plans and execution

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Project Examples
 

“Stephanie was well prepared, strategic, and easy to work with. Her Stakeholder Analysis training for state employees blended the perfect amount of theory, practice, and depth for our civic engagement practitioners. The training received high praise and kept participants asking for more."

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— Nick Kor

Minnesota Department
of Human Rights

Training + Capacity Building

SDK has developed interactive trainings and workshops that help clients to build effective relationships with broad and diverse communities; communicate effectively in the splintered media environment; manage high-stress situations like public meetings and testimony; and more. Explore upcoming trainings, or book time with Stephanie to explore training delivered specific to your organization or project. 

 

  • Reimagining Stakeholders

  • Preparing For and Managing Interviews and Testimony

  • Public Meetings and Input

  • Changing Media Landscape

  • Engaging Through Change

  • Leveraging Strategic Communications, Engagement For Change​

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Project Example

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“I was very impressed with the preparedness and structure of the training. Working together and learning from each other in groups was helpful. The interactive presentation style of the trainer was also very helpful.” 

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— Participant evaluation, Civic Engagement training series offered by MN Department of Human Rights