Organizations pour months — sometimes years — into developing a strategic plan. But too often, once it’s finalized, it sits on a shelf.
We believe a strategic plan isn’t just an institutional roadmap. It’s a marketing tool. A storytelling asset. An employee playbook. And when leveraged well, it can spark the kind of clarity that aligns teams, attracts funders, and motivates action.
That’s what Pacific Institute wanted. And that’s what we helped them build.
From Internal Strategy to External Engagement
The Pacific Institute, a nonpartisan global water think tank, had just completed an ambitious 5-year strategic plan. Their work in water resilience is critical to ensuring people, nature, and economies have the water they need to thrive. But like many organizations, they needed help translating internal language into messaging that could move people and drive action.
We started by rewriting the strategic plan into a narrative format — not changing the content, but recasting the voice and structure so it could resonate beyond the boardroom. A 16-page version draws donors and partners in with compelling visuals and easy-to-interpret graphics. A separate 2-page summary serves as a quick, high-impact leave-behind when time is short.
We also created additional pieces to extend the plan’s reach and deepen its impact. A Theory of Change infographic distills the big picture into a clear, visual story, while a video series brings their work to life in a way that feels personal and energizing. Each format used the same strategic foundation — but the framing, visuals, and tone were adapted to meet Pacific Institute’s audiences where they are.
One Plan. Many Audiences. Multiple Touchpoints.
When organizations invest in strategic planning, they often miss the next step: leveraging it to its full potential.
Strategic plans serve as critical guidance for an organization’s success — but they can also be used to:
- Anchor messaging across departments
- Guide donor conversations
- Shape internal language and culture
- Align staff around shared goals
- Clarify positioning with partners
When repurposed with intention, a strategic plan can shift from guiding decisions to shaping engagement.
Want to make the most of your strategic plan? Let’s Talk!
