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Here to help you think big, be brave and stay real when communicating for social impact. We’ve been embracing change over recent months. Welcome to Agenda.

You may know us as Slack Communications; you may have worked with us over the last 10 years, heard us speak at events, or followed us on social. Our leadership team has grown. We’ve got new services, new skills, new knowledge – all of which we’re looking forward to sharing with you under our new name, Agenda. Our name and look are different, but you can expect the same energy, culture of cooperati

on, and commitment to your success that we’ve always offered. When you work with us, you get:

* Your very own team of comms professionals who have exactly the skills you require, built around your goals and budget.

* A programme of work tailored to your specific needs. We always work with you, rather than doing stuff to you, drawing on the latest insight, learnings from others, and our collective experiences to create significant and sustainable impact.

* A partner in comms whose values match your own, acting as a compass for all we say and do. You can read more about what we stand for. For more details on the range of services offered, please visit our website:
https://your-agenda.com

10/07/2024

How can you navigate the new Labour government ⛵

What steps should your organisation be taking to work with the incoming government?

Here we look at the new landscape and how to set yourself up for greater influence.

For the first time in 14 years, there’s a total change of government – a new Prime Minister, a new cabinet and new ministers across every department.

Only a handful of the new team have previous ministerial experience, though they are being supported by peers who were ministers in the last Labour government.

In our most recent blog, Matt Ball, senior associate, outlines how to work with the new government on its policy agenda.

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/part-1-how-to-navigate-the-new-labour-government

04/07/2024

Interested in how we work? 👀

With a limited budget and a largely volunteer comms team, we helped the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) with a manageable, practical approach to reset their comms.

Starting with analysis and research about what their members wanted, we created a recruitment and retention plan with toolkit and templates to get them going.
By coaching APTUK colleagues through the project, the association can now think big when asking members to join, stay and get involved; be brave about securing their voice in the sector; and stay real with their resources.
Find out what we did and what we achieved: https://lnkd.in/dA4Tva9j

Thank you to the team at Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK - APTUK for letting us share their story.

If you would like more real life insights on how to reach and influence your audiences, sign up for our newsletter
https://lnkd.in/e3EHRTSb

02/07/2024

International coverage, keeping up the pressure and changing hearts and minds❤️ 🧠

We’ve packed a lot into June with our big event, supporting our clients in the run-up to the European and UK elections, and securing bumper results for fundraising PR coverage.

📌 Our much-anticipated event ‘Changing hearts and minds’ brought neuroscientists, activists and experts in framing theory together with comms and campaign professionals from across charities and unions to share knowledge and learning on tackling difficult issues. Our speakers explored how to deal with polarisation, politically motivated attacks, online trolling, intense media scrutiny, as well as understanding how the brain responds. Our experience of, and feedback from, the practical sessions have inspired and to create a new offer so watch this space for more detail.

📌 As we wait for the election results, Ball and Bloom have been continuing to make the case for more radiographers with The Society and College of Radiographers . All parties have pledged to cut waiting lists and, with one million people waiting for a scan, we’ll be asking for an increase in radiography professionals to tackle the backlog.

📌 While we couldn’t be at Glastonbury festival in person, Allin helped Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) make its presence known at the UK’s biggest music and arts event. Meanwhile, has been busy securing MAP international coverage for its emergency medical team in the The New York Times and on Heart FM, both of which featured interviews with volunteer surgeons about their experiences delivering urgent care in Gaza.

📌 It was a bumper month of coverage for Tree of Hope thanks to Catherine Cooper, our PR pro. The BBC picked up a story about Dave Grist cycling 220 miles in memory of his son, while other coverage was secured about a 100km in 24-hour challenge and a 72-hole golf event – all of which boosted the fundraising income of those featured in the stories.

📌 Slack was delighted to participate in Small Charity Week providing insights on how to deal with opposition online. Her top tip for those attending: Planning is key! The more you can anticipate and prepare for opposition, criticism and abuse, the easier it is to manage when it happens. Check our website for more crisis comms tips.

📌 If you would like to be the first to hear about our events and receive our insightful quarterly newsletter, sign up in the comments below.

28/06/2024

How to write a value proposition that will resonate deeply with your audience🔥

In part three of our series looking at the power of value propositions, Martin Reid, senior associate and former director at the Education and Training Foundation, introduces you to the simple and highly-effective templates we use when helping our clients communicate the value of their organisation.

Using our templates, you will learn how to tailor, review and refine your proposition so it resonates deeply with your target audience.

You can read the final installment in this series here https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/how-to-create-a-great-value-proposition-part-three

Let us know if you find these blogs helpful, and if there are any other comms topics you might like us to cover.

27/06/2024

Did you catch Becky Slack's session for Small Charity Week about how to deal with opposition online?

Becky's top tip - planning is key!

Don't shy away from playing out and managing worst case scenarios. Think of investing this time as an insurance policy.

The more you anticipate and prepare for opposition, criticism and abuse, the easier it is to manage when it happens.

Huge thanks to NCVO and Media Trust for inviting Becky to speak, to Heather Paterson, Lara Parizotto and Sonia Kaurah for sharing their organisation's stories, and to Kirsty Marrins for recommending us.

The more we can learn from each other and the more solidarity we can offer each other, the better.

See you all at Small Charity Week again next year! 😊

21/06/2024

How knowing your audience can help you build an impactful value proposition. 💪

In part two of our series looking at the importance of a value proposition, Reid, senior associate and former director at the Education and Training Foundation, offers a step-by-step guide to understand your audience, identify their needs then create a value proposition that demonstrates your relevance to them.

Using the value proposition canvas, you will learn more about your audiences’ motivations, problems and aspirations – all crucial if you want to connect and stand out.

Full blog here
https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/how-to-create-a-great-value-proposition-part-two

10/06/2024

Will you be joining us this Wednesday 😀

Our idea-inspiring, strategy-creating, time-saving event where you get to develop powerful messaging that will help you reframe challenging narratives and communicate with impact...

On 12 June, we give you...
💥 Global expert on polarisation, Alison (Ali) Goldsworthy on why people turn against each other and how can we bring them together

💥One of the UK's most influential people in PR and director of communications at the National Trust, Celia Richardson on how to prepare for reputational attacks

💥Expert in the art and neuroscience of organisational change, David Bovis, M. npn on why facts alone are not enough to change someone's mind

💥Leading neuroscientist and communicator, Dr Daniel Glaser on the ways in which experience, prejudice and expectation alter the way we see the world

💥Leading feminist, LGBTIQ+ and socialist activist, Ailbhe Smyth on how campaigners mobilised emotions to persuade Ireland to say yes to abortion rights

Book your ticket now. Link to book in the comments below.

08/06/2024

"People don't like having privilege imposed upon them"

How often do you consider neuroscience when designing comms strategies and campaigns?

If we are truly to influence how people think and act, then we need to understand what makes them tick - and that starts with the brain. Read on to find some practical insights you can apply today.

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/you-cant-think-without-a-brain

08/06/2024

Calling all woke snowflake militant lefties. Wanna learn how to make good trouble?
Join us at our special event designed specifically for social impact communicators at charities, trade unions and campaign groups.

Changing hearts and minds: the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives

Wednesday 12 June, London
£267 + VAT

Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast!

Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

07/06/2024

Were you ready for Rishi’s announcement about July’s election? Or were you caught in the rain without an umbrella?

Here at Agenda we've been preparing for a while. We've been helping organisations create manifestos that represent members’ and supporters’ needs and we’ve used our Comms Lab approach to craft persuasive narratives.

Here’s what else we’ve done in May:

📌We've been busy finalising our one-day event, ‘Changing hearts and minds’. You can see the stellar line-up and save a spot for 12 June. Book your tickets here: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

📌 Election, election, election! What does the future hold for education? We’re working with NASUWT on defining and promoting its offer to teachers across the UK.

📌 Becky has been discussing the with contacts in Brussels, focusing on the expected rise of the far right. We’ve been thinking about the role of comms in helping address this threat and will have some useful resources to share over the coming weeks.

📌 The NHS needs more radiographers if the new government wants to reduce waiting lists according to The Society and College of Radiographers manifesto. Matt Ball and Adi Bloom are helping members make the case for investment.

📌 Vic has been busy shortlisting for Memcom Excellence Awards with fellow judge Andrew Close from the Royal Town Planning Institute. We’re looking forward to the unveiling of the shortlist at the memcom event later this month.

📌 We learned about the power of good disagreements with author Ian Leslie at our well-attended ‘In conversation with...’ event.

📌 A UK surgeon who volunteered in Gaza for Medical Aid for Palestinians received extensive regional media coverage thanks to our associate Catherine Cooper

📌And Catherine worked her media magic for long-standing client Tree of Hope - highlighting a mum who lost 10st while marathon training – and for our newest client Thrive Mental Health who featured their new app in specialist online magazines.

07/06/2024

Could you benefit from campaign expertise in the run up to the general election?
Join us on 12 June to hear from:

🔥 Alison Goldsworthy, a leading expert in depolarisation

🔥 Celia Richardson, who has led the National Trust’s response to deliberate disinformation and hostile campaigning against its work

🔥 Ailbhe Smyth, who successfully persuaded Irish voters to say yes to abortion rights.

Changing hearts and minds: A one-day event in London on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives.

Tickets are selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out. Book your place now - https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

£267 + VAT

06/06/2024

Influencing a political manifesto is about more than reaching politicians.

Arguably, the primary audience for your manifesto activity is your current - and potential - members, beneficiaries or supporters.

They care the most about what you're saying and they are the people to mobilise to get your voice heard.

Here you can read our senior associate, Matt Ball's six steps to successfully influencing party parties

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/six-things-that-can-help-influence-a-political-manifesto

06/06/2024

05/06/2024

Seven days to go and only a few tickets left⏱️

Changing hearts and minds: the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives

Wednesday 12 June, London

£267 + VAT

Very few spaces left. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

04/06/2024

Wondering how the election and new government might impact on your campaigns and messaging? 📣

Would you benefit from insights from political advisors and campaigners?

Would you like to compare notes, discuss challenges and find solutions with colleagues from across civil society?

Come join us on Wednesday 12 June in London.

Changing hearts and minds: a one-day event on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives

£267 + VAT
Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast!

Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

03/06/2024

31/05/2024

Want to know how to prepare for reputational attacks? 🧨

The rise of populism has seen an increasing number of charities and trade unions being pulled into polarising and often ideological rows.

These arguments can damage reputations, direct resources away from vital work and harm our ability to help those we exist to serve.

The National Trust has spent the last four years responding to deliberate disinformation and hostile campaigning against its work.

This session led by its director of communications and marketing Celia Richardson will draw on those experiences to provide practical tips to help delegates prepare for if and when they find their own organisation under attack.

What you’ll learn from Celia’s session:

🔥How and why charities and trade unions are finding themselves at the centre of polarising and often ideological rows
🔥 Practical tips for dealing with disinformation, hostile narratives and reputational attacks

Tickets are limited to just 60 - and they’re selling fast!

Make sure you don’t miss our 12 June event: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

30/05/2024

What steps did we take to transform a charity's website so it would meet all its audiences' needs? 💻

Find out how our team of experts helped MPS Society move from a large, unwieldy website to one that’s easy to use and showcases its resources - and how the project informed and improved the charity’s messaging overall.

https://your-agenda.com/our-work/all-case-studies/transforming-the-website-of-a-charity-supporting-people-with-rare-medical-conditions

29/05/2024

Do you know what a value proposition is and how it can help your organisation stand out?

Read part one of our three-part series, where Martin Reid, our senior associate for strategy and marketing, unpicks what value propositions are, why they are important, and how to create one.

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/how-to-create-a-great-value-proposition-part-one

27/05/2024

Join fellow troublemakers Alison Goldsworthy (Depolarization Project; Stanford University); Ailbhe Smyth (Time 100 most influential 2019; Together for Yes campaign); David Bovis (neuroscience expert; Duxinaroe); Daniel Glaser (neuroscientist and writer) at this special event.

Changing hearts and minds: the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives

Wednesday 12 June, London
£267 + VAT

Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast!

Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

26/05/2024

Disinformation, half-truths and stoking polarised views – will your organisation’s work be used for political point scoring over the next six weeks? 🔥

Join us to hear from experts in reframing harmful narratives so you can cut through the noise and manage reputational risk during and after the election.

Tickets are selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out.

Book your place now.
Wednesday 12 June, London
£267 + VAT

https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

24/05/2024

Do you struggle to challenge negative and harmful narratives used by your opponents to harm your cause?

Find new strategies, messaging and inspiration at our special event designed specifically for social impact communicators at charities, trade unions and campaign groups.

Changing hearts and minds: A one-day event on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives
Wednesday 12 June, London
£267 + VAT

Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast!

Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds

23/05/2024

Got your manifesto ready? Great! So what can do you with it now? 🤷‍♀️

Don't leave your great ideas as a pdf on your website - now's the time to start mobilising engagement, raising awareness, building relationships and, importantly, capturing feedback ready for what happens after the election.

Here, Matt Ball, our senior associate for strategy and campaigns, lays out how to make the most of your manifesto to engage your members and supporters and influence politicians.

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/make-the-most-of-your-manifesto

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Videos

Could you benefit from campaign expertise in the run up to the general election? Join us on 12 June to hear from: 🔥 Alison Goldsworthy, a leading expert in depolarisation 🔥 Celia Richardson, who has led the National Trust’s response to deliberate disinformation and hostile campaigning against its work 🔥 Ailbhe Smyth, who successfully persuaded Irish voters to say yes to abortion rights. Changing hearts and minds: A one-day event in London on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives. Tickets are selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out. Book your place now - https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds £267 + VAT #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

General elections, new governments, new ideas. 🧠 How will polarisation, disinformation and aggressive campaigning impact on your charity or trade union? Come join us to learn about the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives. Wednesday 12 June, London £267 + VAT Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

Wondering how the election and new government might impact on your campaigns and messaging? 📣 Would you benefit from insights from political advisors and campaigners? Would you like to compare notes, discuss challenges and find solutions with colleagues from across civil society? Come join us on Wednesday 12 June in London. Changing hearts and minds: a one-day event on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives £267 + VAT Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast! Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

The general election. A new government. New policies. ⏰ For those of us who want to influence and inspire, the next few months will be more important than ever. Learn new strategies and tactics for messages that cut through and stick. Join us on Wednesday 12 June, London Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

Could you benefit from campaign expertise in the run up to the general election? Join us on 12 June to hear from: 🔥 Alison Goldsworthy, a leading expert in depolarisation 🔥 Celia Richardson, who has led the National Trust’s response to deliberate disinformation and hostile campaigning against its work 🔥 Ailbhe Smyth, who successfully persuaded Irish voters to say yes to abortion rights. Changing hearts and minds: A one-day event in London on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives. Tickets are selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out. Book your place now - https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds £267 + VAT #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

Disinformation, half-truths and stoking polarised views – will your organisation’s work be used for political point scoring over the next six weeks? 🔥 Join us to hear from experts in reframing harmful narratives so you can cut through the noise and manage reputational risk during and after the election. Tickets are selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out. Book your place now. Wednesday 12 June, London £267 + VAT https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

Wondering how the election and new government might impact on your campaigns and messaging? 📣 Would you benefit from insights from political advisors and campaigners? Would you like to compare notes, discuss challenges and find solutions with colleagues from across civil society? Come join us on Wednesday 12 June in London. Changing hearts and minds: a one-day event on the science and practice of reframing challenging narratives £267 + VAT Ticket sales are on sale and selling fast! Spaces are limited. Make sure you don’t miss out: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #ReframingChallengingNarratives #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #Neuroscience #Psychology #Framing #Charities #CharityComms #TradeUnions #Campaigners #Activist #AgendaComms

Quick! Last chance to book your spot on tonight's free Q&A! 🚀 Want to know how to have better disagreements, ones that help change your life and the world for the better? This evening we speak to Ian Leslie, author and communications and workplace culture expert. Whether you're arguing with a colleague, harsh critic, family member or keyboard warrior, there are communication techniques and tools which can turn a row into a force for good. Join us tonight as Ian shares his knowledge and research on the power of an argument, drawing on the experiences of divorce lawyers, diplomats, hostage negotiators and communications scholars. Book your spot here https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-ian-leslie

**Coming soon - Sign up to keep up** Our quarterly newsletter is packed with comms insight, advice and tips: 📌We share insights from our Comms Lab research to help you reframe challenging narratives with Becky Slack 📌With the election looming, find out how to make the most of your manifesto by Matt Ball 📌How we unjumbled an unwieldy website with our digital wiz Duncan Roberston Plus, what’s on our comms radar, from the origins of conspiracy theories to the electoral strategist who secured the Tories' last success, to our event on how to have good arguments. Sign up here - https://lnkd.in/e3EHRTSb #CommsTips #CharityComms #UnionComms #StrategicComms #SettingTheAgenda #CommsAdvice #Campaigns #PR #CommsGeek #CommsTheory #CrisisComms

How could you be having better disagreements, ones that help change the world and your life for the better? Whether it is a colleague, harsh critic, family member, or online keyboard warrior, there are communication techniques and tools you can use to turn it into a force for good. Faced with the choice between having an argument and walking away, what do you normally choose? And what is the result of this choice - stalemate, resentment, anger or victory. Author Ian Leslie, a communications and workplace culture expert, shares his knowledge and research on the power of a good argument. He says humans tend to try and avoid arguments but that is a big mistake. We will be discussing his book 'Conflicted: Why arguments are tearing us apart and how they can bring us together.' In it he shares interviews from conflict experts. He outlines the techniques, challenges and experiences of divorce lawyers, diplomats, hostage negotiators and communications scholars. " Book your spot here https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-ian-leslie

New speaker 🎤 Becky Slack our Agenda co-director shares the latest addition to the programme for Changing hearts and minds: The science and the practice of reframing challenging narratives (12 June, London). We are super excited about the calibre of the line-up, which brings a mix of professional expertise, cognitive diversity and life experience to the table. We’ll be joined by: 💥 Global expert on polarisation, Alison (Ali) Goldsworthy on why people turn against each other and how can we bring them together. 💥 Leading feminist, LGBTIQ+ and socialist activist, Ailbhe Smyth who will share the story of Together for Yes: How campaigners persuaded Ireland to say yes to abortion rights. 💥 David Bovis, M. npn, an expert in the neuroscience of leadership, who’s going to be using science to explain why facts alone are not enough to change someone’s mind. 💥 Daniel Glaser, a neuroscientist, communicator and director of science engagement at the Royal Institution, who will help us understand how experience, prejudice and expectation alter the way we see the world. If you think your work could benefit from these brilliant brains, we’d love to see you there. We’re limiting the event to just 60 places to enhance the learning experience and tickets are flying out the door, so if you want to come, you need to get in quick. #ChangingHeartsandMinds #SettingTheAgenda #strategiccomms #reframingChallengingNarratives #neuroscience #psychology #framing #charities #charitycomms #activist #AgendaComms

Do you try your best to avoid conflict? At work, on social media, in relationships? What if you are doing it all wrong? Or what if you could be doing it better? As communications professionals, we can be at the forefront of many confrontations as we try to manage expectations, influence policy, bring about change, manage PR, and lead our teams. Author Ian Leslie tells us “A disagreement is the best way of thinking we have. It weeds out weak arguments, improves decision-making, leads to new ideas and, counter intuitively, brings us closer to one another.” In Conflicted: Why arguments are tearing us apart and how can they bring us together, Ian brings together knowledge and experts from around the world to show us all how to have better arguments. Our events are a chance to understand how these ideas can be applied to your work and life. If you haven't read the book yet, you can hear some of the ideas and decide whether it's for you. Either way, it's a chance to spend some time with people like you who are looking for the next big ideas that can shape your work and relationships. Join us at the Author Q&A on Tuesday 21 May 7.30pm GMT https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-ian-leslie

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Our Story

Slack Communications helps businesses, charities and individuals tell their stories more effectively so they can reach their full potential. We do this by:

Reviewing your current communications and marketing activities to help you understand what’s working and what’s not.

Writing communications and marketing strategies that will help you reach bigger and better audiences and to sell more products and services.

Providing you with advice, support and training so that you and your team achieve your potential easily and effectively.