Our clients often find themselves needing more than a consultant or team working on a single project. They require a dedicated communication professional who can seamlessly integrate with their team to support both planned and unexpected department changes. ROI regularly provides staffing support, embedding our experts in client teams — both virtually and in person — for weeks, months or even years.
This approach gives our clients the best of both worlds. They can stay focused on their priorities as their teams and resources evolve, while ROI’s consultants gain an insider’s perspective to better align with each client’s unique business goals.
So, what’s it like to work within a client organization and provide the elevated value of Dedicated Support? Here’s what several ROI experts with embedded experience have to say.
How do you navigate onboarding and getting up to speed within a new organization?
- Katy Fairman, Director: I have found that it’s good to meet as early as possible with several key stakeholders across the organization and work to build trust quickly. I seek out personal connections and common interests to help forge stronger relationships and raise my hand for special projects and opportunities to collaborate.
- Stephanie Carpenter, Senior Consultant: I want to understand the company culture and the employees I will be communicating with before I start on projects. In addition to building relationships with key stakeholders and understanding their priorities, I review past materials to see what was done previously and what the team may want to improve on.
- Bobbi Padilla, Director: The most valuable strategy is asking questions. Every client has unique dynamics, and most teams appreciate curiosity. The more I learn upfront, the more effectively I can contribute.
How can clients get the most out of working with an embedded consultant?
- Bobbi: The best way to maximize an embedded consultant’s impact is to make us a true part of the team: bring us into meetings, share context and foster independent relationships. The more informed our consultants are, the faster we can work, the better we can align with business goals and the more value we can deliver.
- Stephanie: Be clear on your goals and priorities to help us deliver work in line with your expectations. Communicate past challenges or things you would like done differently in the future. If possible, include us in wider team meetings to help us learn the organization and how teams work together, even if it doesn’t directly impact our specific projects.
- Katy: The more teaming and sharing a group provides to their embedded consultants, the more strategic value we can deliver to our clients. We are under a blanket NDA and know how to work with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. We want to operate in the background to help our clients look their best and be successful.
What skills and capabilities have proven especially valuable for clients in a Dedicated Support context?
- Stephanie: When participating in larger projects from start to finish, I’m focused on cross-functional collaboration, project management, strategic planning, and leveraging metrics and trends to guide project development. Additionally, working on an international team has given me great insight on country-specific communications and cultures.
- Katy: Being a Dedicated Support consultant offers a unique opportunity to apply my work both through the lens of an employee, by putting myself in their shoes, and as a consultant, by bringing my past work experience and external perspectives — including how things have worked at other companies. This neutrality helps me look at situations from a diverse set of angles and be more strategic in my counsel.
- Bobbi: Seeing client organizations from the inside has changed how I consult. I can use my understanding of what motivates employees, what conversations happen behind the scenes, and how company culture shapes decisions to tailor recommendations that don’t just look good on paper; they actually work in the real world. I’ve also learned how to trust my own judgment. Sometimes, I don’t have time to phone an (ROI) friend — I have to make the call and move forward. Acting decisively while staying aligned with client goals is a critical skill that makes me a more effective consultant.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our Dedicated Support service can help with your long- or short-term communication needs, don’t hesitate reach out.
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Contributors
Stephanie Carpenter
Senior Consultant
Stephanie knows that a company's culture can make or break employee engagement. With over a decade of experience in internal communication, she brings a creative approach to help employees understand their roles, make a difference, and feel passionate about their work.
Katy Fairman
Director
With decades of experience under her belt, Katy Fairman has become an expert in developing and managing communication initiatives for clients in various industries. She is committed to helping leaders engage their audience with clear and informative messaging that inspires and respects.
Bobbi Padilla
Director
As a well-rounded communicator, Bobbi's background in film has equipped her with the skills to balance the artistic integrity of a project with its financial viability. Her no-nonsense and hands-on approach enables her to effectively manage and coordinate complex, time-sensitive projects for her clients.
