Strategic Communication Academy Seminar Series

The Premier Development Program For Communication Professionals

For over 10 years, CRA has led the Strategic Communication Academy at Sundance, the world’s leading developmental opportunity for communication leaders and professionals. Outside of our week-long Academy, clients often ask for additional opportunities to further develop themselves or new team members, and to dive deeper into specific topics. This led to the creation of our spotlight series: the Strategic Communication Academy Seminars.

Designed to provide deep understanding and cultivate proficiency, each seminar focuses on a single topic related to strategic communication and its practice in organizations. The content is both intensive and practical, delivered across a combination of provocative readings, group discussion, and counsel from CRA professionals with a wealth of real-world advisory experience. With a limited number of participants in each session and an intensive program schedule, CRA’s Strategic Communication Seminars are an ideal developmental opportunity for any professional seeking to build substantive skills and cultivate meaningful relationships in a brief period of time.

Structure

The 2023 Strategic Communication Academy Seminar Series will feature five uniquely-crafted sessions led by CRA Partners and Managing Directors with advisory experience in Fortune 50 organizations. Session leaders will share their expertise and facilitate dialogue including other CRA staff and clients who lend texture. They also custom design the agenda and timing for each seminar, and you can find those details by navigating to a specific seminar on the left-side menu. The goal is to engage a smaller number of more meaningful issues with great depth.

Investment

The investment to attend a seminar which includes all materials, pre-readings, and notebooks is $2,500 per participant. For additional information or to enroll, please contact our Event Coordinator at (610) 644-5597 or events@crainc.com.

The 2023 Seminar Series

Cultivating Social Capital & Stakeholder Management

Tuesday, March 21 to Wednesday, March 22

Organizations run on relationships, and the most effective team members carefully and deliberately cultivate the strongest possible network of advocates across and beyond their business. During this session, we’ll cover how participants can establish relationships of strength and advocacy with key stakeholders, and ensure monitor support and resistance among their most important relationships.

Chief of Staff Seminar

Thursday, April 13 to Friday, April 14

The role of Chief of Staff continues to grow in corporate and nonprofit America. While responsibilities of this role vary from organization to organization, within organizations, and even between predecessors and successors, common challenges exist across the board. Chiefs of Staff are inspired and inspiring professionals, dedicated to the success of their executives and their organizations. They are leaders, eager learners, selfless with their time and energy, and masters of navigating sensitive situations.

Communicating During Times of Change

Wednesday, May 10 to Thursday, May 11

Research shows most change efforts fail to deliver promised results and ineffective communication almost always emerges as a root cause of failure. This seminar covers the frameworks, concepts, and tools communication professionals need to generate and sustain leadership commitment, craft a compelling change narrative, minimize surprises, and keep constituencies informed and committed along the way.

Designing Compelling Messages & Narratives

Tuesday, October 24 to Wednesday, October 25

Communicators and leaders increasingly use narratives to describe an overarching story that conveys change. Narratives are more than a story though, and can be used strategically to drive business outcomes. In this seminar, we cover different elements of narratives in depth, and provides guidance on how to use framing, language, and data to craft more compelling and resonant messages.

Building Advisory Relationships

Wednesday, November 8 to Thursday, November 9

The past 20 years have brought a change in the role and expectations for communication professionals, shifting from tradespeople who practice a craft for the business to advisors who provide counsel to the business. This seminar covers the nature of the advisor relationship, and offers practical counsel on how to establish those of trust, partnership, and influence with senior clients.

Content