Making a Strategic Plan actually work

What?

Civil society

Strategic Planning, Strategic Communication

Where?

At a membership based peak professional body in Australia

Why?

An elite medical association in Australia had adopted a new Strategic Plan. Its implementation had hit an invisible roadblock. I was retained to help generate understanding and support for the Strategic Plan and find entry points for its implementation. A membership that spans three generations seemed to be pulling in three different directions, while the organization was loosing its policy clout.

When?

2007-2010

What exactly?

Through my consulting practice ProCubeI developed a comprehensive communication strategy that would in a step-by-step way engage internal and external audiences of the organization.

Engaging Internal Stakeholders

Ranges of products were created to enhance internal membership cohesion thus ensuring buy-in for the new Strategic Plan. These included the production of an Oral History video documentary by ProCube. The internal newsletter was revamped and a strategic approach injected into its content; format and layout. Road shows throughout Australia were conceptualized to address member concerns about change. Strategic Communication changes also included minute details such as re-drafting and re-recording of voice mail messages and implementation of document drafting guidelines.

With- whom?

CEO of the organization was the catalyst for change in this organization. She enjoys international recognition and credibility and when she led the change process it paved way for me to conceptualize and launch out of the box ideas. The President and the Secretary of the organization did not shy away from the enormity of the challenge and canvassed support for the process and the people involved.

What happened?

Enthusiastic and comprehensive support for the new Strategic Plan and for the senior management was generated. The organization has moved from one strength to another and continues to implement many of the processes introduced by Sunoor

“ Genuine strategy work mandates serious change leaders with good intentions. ”

-Sunoor Verma

Maximizing multimedia and online platforms for enhancing buy in for a new Strategic Plan

What?

Strategic Planning, Strategic Communication

Where?

Australia

Why?

400 members of this peak medical body are spread out in Australia. Each state has its own peak body, which in turn compose the peak national body. Finding a way to bring the membership together in an engaging and productive way seemed important for keeping the organization viable.

When?

2007,2008, 2009, 2010

What exactly?

Through my consulting outfit ‘ProCube Consultancy Services’,I developed a comprehensive external communication strategy that would in a step-by-step way engage external audiences of the organization. Identifying the web as the key platform for communications with external stakeholders a new intelligent and intuitive web site was developed. Twenty Video snippets which present the strengths of the organization were produced by ProCube and are available on-line to members.

Public Messages

ProCube Communications developed key public safety messages for this association in the form of 30-45 seconds video spots.

With- whom?

A medical association in Australia

What happened?

Manifolds increase in the informed engagement of members that was expressed through different channels of contact.

“ Sunoor’s successful track record in different countries and now in Switzerland can also be attributed to his fluency in the language of multi-culture. His diverse interests ranging from politics, human rights, trade and literature allow him to engage in meaningful and enjoyable discussions at any level.”

Dr Slim Slama
Co-Founder
Geneva Health Forum

Mapping fundraising prospects and partnership support for UNICEF

Sector?

Child Rights, Humanitarian emergencies

What?

Fundraising;Assessments & Evaluations; Strategic Planning, Strategic Communication; Strategic Partnerships

Where?

Singapore

Why?

The global leadership of UNICEF wanted to explore the feasibility of setting up an operation in Singapore. Amendments to laws pertaining to the functioning of charities and foundations in Singapore were a trigger to these explorations.

When?

2007

What exactly?

In 2007 I conducted an in- depth mapping exercise for possible support to UNICEF in Singapore. To enhance the possibility of a quick and informed decision by the senior management, I produced a short video documentary capturing the essence of the mapping exercise. Directed by Sunanda Asthana, an Associate at ProCube, this documentary proved to be a valuable tool for decision-making.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Government of Singapore

What happened?

This report allowed the senior management of UNICEF to quickly reach a decision on how to engage with Singapore.

“ I have been together with Dr. Verma in negotiations with potential donors, senior government officers, ambassadors and partners. He thrives in creating genuine win-win arrangements without leaving any scope for ambiguity or misunderstanding. He prepares thoroughly for each negotiation and is able to step back and see things from the perspective of the counterpart. ”

Dr Slim Slama
Co-Founder
Geneva Health Forum

Connecting UNICEF’s strategy on HIV AIDS with a communication strategy

Sector?

HIV AIDS; Child Rights

What?

Strategic Planning; Strategic Communication

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

For many years UNICEF had partnered with the Government of Malaysia to deliver numerous and effective grassroots initiatives. With the rapid strides Malaysia made in development and achieved a middle-income country status, it was felt that UNICEF could advance the well being of children in Malaysia more effectively by becoming an upstream partner of the government. UNICEF’s then executive director Carol Bellamy had hand picked the dynamic CEO of UNICEF Australia Gaye Phillips to set in a Malaysia a model of engagement with middle-income countries.

When?

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

What exactly?

In 2005, UNICEF’s Representative appointed me to link the organization’s HIV AIDS programs to a meaningful communication strategy.

In addition to developing a comprehensive strategy on up-streaming UNICEF’s HIV AIDS program in Malaysia, key Strategic Communication products were developed:

1. Video documentary- “Women in AIDS”: Conceptualized this video documentary to celebrate and document the contribution of women from various walks of life in the fight against HIV AIDS in Malaysia. This video galvanized support from the Govt. of Malaysia and the donor community for UNICEF’s HIV AIDS program.
2. Video documentaries- Conceptualized video documentaries on joint projects of UNICEF & Ministry of Health that reflect the impact of good partnerships. These included the video capsules on ProStar Youth Initiative (Peer counseling), Village Health Promoters and Youth & Drugs. Youth volunteers for UNICEF in Malaysia filmed the films.
3. Launch of UNICEF’s global campaign- “Unite for Children Unite Against AIDS” in Malaysia: After the global campaign against polio in the 70s, this is UNICEF’s biggest global campaign. Sunoor Verma co-conceptualized the Malaysia launch of this campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
4. High Profile Events: Conceptualized the launch of UNICEF’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Award in Malaysia. A top-level corporate event, it brought in valuable support for UNICEF’s programs in Malaysia from the corporate sector.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Prime Minister’s Office,Economic Planning Unit, Malaysia

Minister of Health

Attorney General of Malaysia

Minister of Women and Community Development

What happened?

UNICEF became the partner of choice of the Malaysian government on HIV AIDS

“ He has demonstrated his problem solving skills and emphasizes the need to back up words with action, and the need to engage in solutions that are forward-looking.”

Michael Szporluk
Expert, Civil Society Development
Mercy Corps

Setting up a Think Tank on refugees and forced migration studies

Sector?

Refugees; Internally displaced; Humanitarian emergencies

What?

Institution building; Confidence building; Fundraising; Think Tank set-up; Strategic planning; Strategic partnerships; Strategic communications

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

Within the first ten years of its existence, two major refugee influxes impacted the Republic of Macedonia. Support of the international community helped the country cope gracefully with these humanitarian emergencies. Acknowledging the inherent volatility of the region, it was vital that the know- how generated in the country in dealing with displaced populations is institutionalized and capacity be built systematically for emergency preparedness.

When?

2000, 2001

What exactly?

I conducted a needs assessment and a mapping of potential partners. I then developed the project proposal and fundraised with donors to set up the Center for Refugees and Forced Migration Studies (CRFMS) at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. The aim of the Center is to become a leading regional resource center in its field; to foster a regional network of similar research centers and to promote standards of excellence in research on Refugee and Forced Migration related subjects. Set up with seed funding from UNHCR, I led vigorous fundraising andexpandedthe portfolio of donors. Ialso set up and mentored the project management team of the centre. The project was implemented from February 2000 to September 2001.

With- whom?

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Skopje University Ss. Cyril & Methodius

Institute of Sociological Political and Juridical Research

BPRM USA Government

Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry,

DfID,

Brookings Institute

What happened?

1. Set up of an active, well functioning research centre on refugee and forced migration issues
2. Established a wide portfolio of donors thus enhancing the sustainability of the centre
3. Management staff was trained to take over the management of the centre
4. Well functioning resource center with a specialized library
5. Internationally networked program on refugee studies was established

“ Sunoor Verma always underlines the importance of local ownership. He may have a lot of knowledge and expertise, but he always ensures that his visions are closely connected to reality on the ground. ”

Peeter Kaaman
Adviser, Human Rights & Democracy
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida),
Department for Europe, Division for South Eastern Europe.

National Strategic plan for HIV AIDS 2005- 20010 in Malaysia

Sector?

HIV AIDS; Women; Child rights

What?

Strategic Planning; Strategic Partnerships; Dialogue Management; Strategic Communications

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

It was clear that Malaysia could not address HIV AIDS effectively without a national strategy in place. In turn for the National Strategy to be effective it needed to not only be a consensus document but also collaborative arrangements of implementation would need to be foreseen in the concept and planning. The HIV AIDS landscape in Malaysia as in many other countries was deeply fragmented and finding ways to bridge the fissures required the support of a party like UNICEF, which had a stake in addressing the issue but not in the power play that happens in every country when it comes to HIV AIDS.

When?

2005, 2006

What exactly?

The UNICEF Representative in Malaysia Gaye Phillips tasked me to come up with a strategy on bringing the movers and shakers in the HIV AIDS arena and find entry points to engage with them. I conducted a rapid nationwide mapping exercise meeting with key players and understanding their perspectives. This helped create common grounds to launch a consensus process for drafting the national strategic plan. I supervised the work of consultants brought in to support specific technical inputs and worked as one team with the HIV AIDS division of the Ministry of Health.

Adopting the first national strategic plan was a huge success for Malaysia because it paved the way for a fully budgeted HIV AIDS program to be launched by the government. The plan also provided a platform for collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector.

While UNICEF’s Representative ensured that there was strong political backing for UNICEF’s support to the process and to my services being made available, the intelligence and expertise of Indra Nadchatram were unmatched. With Gaye, Indra and our Malaysian counterparts we worked around the clock with a sense of urgency of the epidemic.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Prime Ministers Office, Malaysia

What happened?

Malaysia’s first National Strategic Plan (2005-2010) was adopted, budgeted and implemented.

“ Many people working in development use the experience from different settings as a blinding tool — they think they know much more than they do — Dr Verma never lets his experience blind him from seeing things afresh. Rare!!! ”

Annika Palo
Adviser, Department for Europe
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sweden

Geneva Health Forum

Sector

Global Health

What?

Strategic planning; Strategic partnerships; Strategic Communication; Fundraising; Dialogue management; Project development;

Where?

Geneva, Switzerland

Why?

I was brought in to the GHF to expand its reach, funding base and help re-strategize so that the forum becomes sustainable.

The Geneva Health Forum is not just another conference on health. By looking to the future, it brings vision and thrives on all participants’ unique experiences and in depth insights on topics and initiatives generated and implemented all over the world. At the GHF it is believed that pooling intelligence will bring value and challenge common ideas to explore new territories of freethinking and build on inter-sectorial approaches to solving the problems of our time.
As it is held in Geneva, a city where all the major actors in Global Health are located, the Geneva Health Forum provides a unique opportunity to meet and shape tomorrow’s agenda on major health issues. Organized by the Geneva University Hospitals and the University of Geneva in partnership with the other main Swiss academic institutions and Geneva based organizations and key players in health, the GHF offers ample opportunities to debate freely on current health issues.

When?

2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

What exactly?

I mapped, negotiated and implemented a three-tier partnerships strategy for the sustainability of the Geneva Health Forum (Content, Thematic and Geographic partnerships). This involves establishing Public-Private partnership arrangements without jeopardizing credibility. More about the GHF can be read on it’s website www.genevahealthforum.org
I conceptualized and negotiated inter-institutional linkages for the implementation of a robust communications strategy for the Geneva Health Forum. This effort links academic, research and teaching institutions with multilateral and bilateral donors, foundations, private sector and media.

With- whom?

Hospitals of the University of Geneva (HUG)

University of Geneva

Swiss Development Cooperation Agency (SDC)

Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

What happened?

Over the last four years the reach of the GHF has multiplied and it has established itself as an important event on the global health calendar. It attracts close to one thousand practitioners, academia and policy makers to Geneva to search for solutions in health.