Key stakeholders clash on product messaging strategy. How do you align their visions for success?

Se todos estão trabalhando para transformar a jornada do usuário ainda melhor, dificilmente haverá atrito, o que muda é o objetivo e o momento...

To align conflicting stakeholders on a product messaging strategy, first understand each viewpoint through individual meetings. Then facilitate a workshop to find common goals and develop a cohesive messaging framework. Pilot the messaging, gather feedback and refine it. Finally, document and communicate the strategy while remaining open to adjustments.

Focus on identifying common goals, such as target audience engagement, brand consistency, or market positioning. P.S. Subscribe to my newsletter for more strategies on effective stakeholder alignment and product messaging.

It’s all about understanding what each stakeholder needs and how messaging can support their goals in their daily work. For the Sales team, I’d ask, “How can this messaging help sales reps not only sell more but also better while staying true to the product's positioning?” Of course, you can’t please everyone. If you try that, you risk creating a Frankenstein message. 🧟♂️ I usually try to manage everyone's expectations while discussing the common goal → create a messaging that resonates with our target audiences. ⚡️

To align key stakeholders’ visions for success on product messaging strategy, I facilitate a collaborative discussion to understand each stakeholder's perspective and objectives. By focusing on shared goals and identifying common ground, I help unify their views around a cohesive messaging strategy. I use data and market insights to support decision-making, ensuring that the final strategy addresses diverse concerns while aligning with the overall brand vision. Regular communication and iterative feedback loops also ensure that stakeholders remain engaged and committed to the unified approach.

Creating an open, welcoming space for dialogue is the best way to create an collaborative environment. You can foster this by allowing participants to share their ideas without interruption or second-guessing.

When stakeholders clash, creating space for genuine dialogue can be the turning point. Start by bringing everyone together for a conversation that prioritizes listening as much as talking. Instead of just debating ideas, focus on the product’s end goal: delivering value to the customer. Guiding the discussion around who the target audience is and what they truly care about helps shift the focus from competing visions to a unified strategy. When stakeholders understand the "why" behind each perspective and see the bigger picture, it’s easier to reach a consensus that drives the product forward.

Quando as principais partes interessadas entram em conflito com a estratégia de mensagens do produto, é fundamental adotar uma abordagem colaborativa e estruturada para alinhar as suas visões de sucesso.

Having a drafted strategy creates a central place of stakeholder alignment, outside of Zoom call chatter. It also serves as a north star for all teams to refer back to later when creating execution plans. Finally, it also serves as a paper trail for when you need to remind yourself of the decisions you made as a team when it comes time to review results and performance.