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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IS CRITICAL TO
MANAGING CHANGE 
Sheri Dougherty
 Dr. Sherilyne Dougherty, CEO

Stakeholder engagement is an essential component of managing change at any organization. Communication is key, but will be ineffective if you approach a situation without an understanding of the values, objectives, and nuances of the groups that impact project success. You're also likely to fall short of your goals if you try to dictate solutions rather than foster open channels of two-way communication with your stakeholders.

In this issue of the DAI Solutions Advisor, we provide a case study of one of our biggest projects - leading stakeholder engagement and change management for an HRIT refresh initiative that will affect all 80,000 employees at a large federal agency. We discuss how we analyzed the organization's structure, identified and prioritized both internal and external stakeholders, leveraged existing resources within the department, and built coalitions across the enterprise to achieve project success.

Also this month, we discuss expanding your client and partner base. In addition to the more traditional background work you should always do when developing potential new business, we focus on the cultural aspect of business development. Approaching a new scenario with the necessary cultural knowledge is just as important as demonstrating your past performance credentials. 

Finally, we highlight three industry acknowledgements for our graphics work. We thank the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts and the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, respectively, for recognizing our work.

We hope you enjoy this month's edition of the DAI Solutions Advisor.
ENGAGING WITH A CLIENT FROM ANOTHER CULTURE

These days, many companies find themselves reaching across geographic boundaries to expand their business. Not only can this diversify your stream of revenue, it also can teach you valuable lessons and broaden your perspective on other cultures. 

Let's say your company is now at that crossroad. You've been in talks with a client from another culture for months.  You don't know much about their culture, and you've never met the client in person, but everything they see and hear from you sounds perfect - you're exactly what they need. They decide to fly to the United States to meet you in person - this is your opportunity to seal the deal and get your first international client.

CASE STUDY: ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS IN COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONS

DAI Solutions supports a large, diverse federal agency with its transformation investment that will result in improved business operations and decision tools for leadership.

Background
The agency is implementing an enterprise-wide human resources IT (HRIT) system that provides core HR processing, workforce management, and timekeeping capabilities. When live, the system will cover 80,000+ employees geographically dispersed across the United States and abroad.

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
DAI Solutions developed a customized four-pronged approach to shape meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders, build coalitions across the organization, and promote long lasting partnerships. The four phases  are:  (1) research and planning, (2) design and development, (3) implementation, and (4) evaluation.

DAI SOLUTIONS WINS THREE MORE DESIGN AWARDS

We've won three more design awards! Congratulations to Kizita Awuakye and Steve Shreve for creating these award-winning pieces:  
  These design awards bring our total to five so far this year.
COME WORK FOR US OR REFER SOMEONE!

Working at DAI Solutions is more than punching a clock; it's pushing every day to reach beyond what you thought possible. 

We are executives, project managers, communicators, artists, analysts, teachers and techies. In our diversity, we share a passion for people and the people part of transformation. If you want to be challenged and stand apart from the crowd, we want to hear from you.

We are currently seeking:
DAI Solutions is a boutique management consulting firm headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Purposefully small and client-centered, we focus on the people part of transformation. 
 
Learn more about working for DAI Solutions.  
Ready to focus on the people part of transformation?