Last year, I returned from a round-the-globe trip, energized and eager to re-engage with the world. After more than a dozen years in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, I needed to remind myself of the reality outside my window and immerse myself in people’s daily lives and challenges. Not only was this an incredible adventure that I shared with my wife and will continue to think about for years to come, it was a humbling reminder of the scale of the work that needs to be done if we really want to change the world. We cannot do it alone: we need each other.

When I returned to the social change community, I realized that I could share my knowledge and experience with organizations that are trying to shape our perceptions of the world and the future. I want to work with people who walk the talk; those who make a difference. That’s why I created my own communications firm, On Message Communications. 

During my travels, I was in a privileged position of being able to observe the societies and communities we visited, understanding how they function and listening to their stories. As we moved around the world, I recognized what each group brings to our global society and the special place they occupy. Gradually, I connected the dots and found meaning in the patterns and trends I observed. All too often, we are too absorbed by the details of our daily lives and the technicalities of our work to see the wonders in front of our noses.

At its core, communication is about sharing information with other people and influencing their actions. Most of the time, this tool is used to convince us to buy products; sometimes, it is engineered to make us vote for certain candidates. I believe that it can and should also be used as a force for good. If a politician can be taught to focus on the central theme or official message of her campaign, then a changemaker should be able to use the same skills to talk about her organization’s work and activate her audience for the greater good.

The secret ingredients are similar for most situations: Who are you trying to reach? What do you want them to do? Why? What are you telling them? Where and when are you engaging them? And, last but not least, how do you measure your success?

If you can answer these questions, putting thought, energy and effort into the process, you can solve pretty much any communications problem. It’s not rocket science, but it is a science. Stick to the formula.

So why on earth would you want to hire a consultant like me if you can do all this yourself?

Well, communications is also an art. There are countless ways of reaching people and influencing their thoughts and their actions. How you plan and execute your plan will determine how you affect them.

On Message analyzes your assets, audiences, goals, messages, channels and measurement, and then customizes solutions to your specific situation. Most of all, we want to understand what makes you tick. What is your story and what do you have to offer the world? Most organizations have powerful narratives that go unexplored and unused. It helps to invite a trusted partner like us to scan the organizational DNA, tighten the focus of your communications and create a blueprint for the future.

This is particularly valuable when you are embarking on a new project or facing significant change. In today’s world, everything is in flux. On Message thrives on challenging projects, helping you adapt to your new landscape by understanding your place in the world. We have been fortunate to advise some of the most intrepid changemakers in the social sector and look forward to working with the next wave of trailblazers who will change the world as we know it.

As we celebrate our first year in business, we are particularly grateful to our clients and friends, notably the Partnership for the Bay's Future, the San Francisco Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Invisible People, the Network of Elected Women and Future Generations University. If you would like to talk with us about your project, start with this free consultation and let us know when you’re ready to take action.