Communications Strategists Inc.
Communications Strategists (CSI) is a highly focused strategic consulting firm serving a limited number of corporate and individual clients each year.
Limiting the number of engagements we accept is intentional. Our work can require significant attention, discretion and direct access to senior decision-makers. We believe those responsibilities are incompatible with a high-volume consulting model.
How We Think
CSI approaches challenges from a different perspective.
We look beyond the immediate problem to understand the circumstances creating it, the risks surrounding it and the opportunities that may be hidden within it.
For corporate clients, that can include examining an underperforming product to determine why it is struggling, identifying new applications or markets for existing products, recognizing obstacles affecting performance, or developing opportunities that require minimal additional investment.
Our objective is to create strategies and processes that remain useful when circumstances become difficult—not strategies dependent upon ideal financial or market conditions.
Less pivoting means more focus.
Understanding Risk
Risk can be real or perceived. Both can have consequences.
CSI works with organizations and select individuals to identify potential exposure and develop practical strategies for managing it.
Our work may intersect with legal, financial, operational, reputational and other considerations.
When appropriate, CSI can work directly with a client's legal team so legal considerations can be incorporated into the broader strategic process. CSI does not provide legal advice. Any legal recommendations, interpretations or decisions remain the responsibility of the client and their legal representatives.
Individual Clients
CSI also works with select individuals whose careers, responsibilities or public profiles can create unusual personal and professional exposure.
Our approach remains the same: understand the circumstances, identify vulnerabilities, evaluate their potential consequences and develop a strategy before an issue becomes a larger problem.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is fundamental to CSI.
We do not disclose our client relationships for promotional purposes. We do not build our reputation by publishing lists of recognizable clients.
Who we work with, what we do and the strategies we develop are matters between CSI and the client.
When necessary, an engagement can be conducted with an extremely limited circle of knowledge within an organization. Our role is to serve the client—not to receive recognition for doing so.
Our reputation is part of our value, and protecting the trust placed in us is essential to that reputation.
The Value of the Engagement
CSI is not intended to be the least expensive option.
Our work is appropriate when the potential value of identifying an opportunity, solving a difficult problem or reducing meaningful exposure justifies a substantial commitment to getting it right.
We therefore view a CSI engagement differently:
Not simply an expense. An investment.
