In today’s dynamic and busy world, effective communication and community engagement are more important than ever. Articulous recently completed its annual pulse check on the practice of engagement in Australia and found several strong trends. Here are three that are currently shaping the landscape.
1. Increased diversity
Engagement must be truly representative.
Australia’s diversity is a testament to its vibrant community, with one in four Australians born overseas. However, diversity in community engagement goes beyond racial lines. Our research highlights a perceived lack of representation across social and economic spectrums.
When asked who they feel is unheard, minority groups featured highly in the responses. Minority groups, including those with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, First Nations people, older people, and low-income earners, are considered to be largely unheard.
“Anyone that is not rich or influential.”
It’s crucial to create inclusive, accessible, and empathetic engagement processes to ensure everyone can participate and be heard.
2. Really listen
Engagement should never be a mere box-ticking exercise or a way to utilise funding. It’s essential for organisations to demonstrate they are genuinely listening to the community’s input. 11% of respondents stated they have little or no confidence they are being listened to.
“Don’t just tell me you’ve listened. Show me”.
But how can you show this? Take feedback seriously.
- Update the community: Regular updates on engagement efforts are vital. People want to see that their feedback is being considered.
- Adapt plans: If feedback suggests changes, be willing to adjust your scope or plans. This shows a commitment to serious engagement and responsiveness.
- Action over words: Actions speak louder than words. It’s not enough to say you plan to do something; people want to see tangible actions.
“I feel confident that an organisation is genuinely listening when it … takes visible action based on our concerns…”.
38% of respondents feel confident they have been listened to when there has been implementation or actioning of their ideas or recommendations.
3. A choice of engagement pathways
Creating distinct pathways for engagement ensures that different groups within the community can participate in ways that suit them best. Tailoring engagement methods to meet the needs of various demographics can lead to more effective and meaningful participation.
Our research found that people want a choice of engagement pathways, preferring:
- face-to-face
- hybrid
- digital.
45% of respondents prefer to engage digitally in their own time. More people in younger and older age groups preferred face to face than middle age groups but regardless of age, gender or location, live online sessions were the least popular way to be engaged.
Ideally, we want to offer something that works for all parts of the community. But people want organisations to acknowledge it is tough to find time, especially given the daily information overload, so, “Ditch the jargon. Keep it simple”.
We found that 57% of people are likely to engage if given the opportunity. By embracing these trends, we can foster a more inclusive, responsive, and engaged community. Let’s work together to ensure every voice is heard and valued!
