Internet & Technology

Technology is more than just equipment, software, and networking. It’s also about change, opportunity, competitiveness and investment. And increasingly, it’s about policy, stakeholders and communities. As innovation continues, so do the challenges of putting in place the infrastructure, policies, and public acceptance needed to deliver on its promise.
Kearns & West helps companies to navigate a complex and interconnected policy landscape by building productive stakeholder relationships and strategic partnerships. We specialize in creating communications to stakeholders that is critical to the success of new technology and IT products.

Kearns & West specializes in:

Communications Strategy & Planning
Issues & Trends Analysis & Tracking
Media & Analyst Relations
Media Training
Messaging & Positioning
Policy Research and Development
Public Outreach and Relationship Development
Social Media Strategy and Implementation

Sample Projects

Technology Enhanced Public Engagement for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management

Kearns & West designed and facilitated a technology-enhanced public engagement process supporting the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) next generation of planning and NEPA guidance. Our team designed a hybrid in-person meeting, livestreamed for those unable to participant in person. Kearns & West also designed a large-format interactive webinar series, providing an opportunity for the BLM to share information about their guidance process and solicit and respond to clarification questions about their guidance and process for public engagement. The webinar approach included supporting real-time clarifying question & answer session, with a dedicated triage team categorizing and presenting clarifying questions to BLM leadership for response. The team leveraged integrated telephony to improve audio quality and substantially reduce direct costs associated with the events. The webinar series and in-person meeting engaged well over 1000 interested stakeholders.

Environmental Protection Agency Long Distance Engagement (LDE) Guidebook Communications & Training Strategy and Implementation

Kearns & West developed a communications strategy and training activities to support EPA Community Involvement Coordinators and Remedial Project Manager’s use of collaborative technologies in support of Long Distance Engagement with their communities. Staff also conducted an audience mapping and segmenting exercise, including the development of personas and use cases to inform strategy development. This work included preparing a menu of communications and training options for EPA’s consideration, developing work aids and providing direct support to Community Involvement Coordinators and Remedial Project Managers where appropriate, and ongoing expert consultation on collaborative technology deployment in the EPA IT environment. Kearns and West continues to provide support to EPA’s efforts to implement LDE training for Community Involvement Coordinators. Kearns & West developed a communications strategy and training activities to support EPA Community Involvement Coordinators and Remedial Project Manager’s use of collaborative technologies in support of Long Distance Engagement with their communities. Kearns and West continues to provide support to EPA’s efforts to implement LDE training.

BLM Geospatial Publication Module

The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the management and conservation of resources on 13% of the total land surface in the country, requiring many offices to be located in remote areas. BLM has the need to publish geospatial data for internal and external use across business areas and offices throughout the country. Varying capabilities related to connectivity, bandwidth, standards, and support throughout the organization have resulted in inefficient deployment and utilization of a geospatial publication tool to date. In 2012, BLM was evaluating geospatial technology options to publish geospatial data in a single location, with standardized processes, procedures and standards, to increase the access, understanding and distribution of geospatial data, both to internal and external users. Kearns & West performed a scoping study that identified requirements for the new system. Kearns & West conducted internal and external needs assessments, developed a communications plan about the initiative, and used information gathered during the needs assessment to develop requirements for the program and a sound technical plan for executing the development of the solution. The final project materials were delivered in fall 2013.

Fortune 500 Company – Technology and Leadership Training Program

While California is at the center of the global technology and innovation, a significant divide remains between those within the tech world and those living in rural and low income communities. In 2015, Kearns & West, working with an existing corporate technology client and multiple California-based nonprofit organizations launched a technology skills-development program for students in California rural communities, largely underrepresented in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. The technology skills-development program Kearns & West developed, helps close this divide. The program provides young adults with the necessary professional training, leadership development, and technical skills needed for today’s workforce, such as front-end web development. The program to date has delivered positive media visibility for Kearns & West’s client, including multiple articles in prominent media outlets such as CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. It has also strengthened the client’s relationships with critical stakeholders, all while delivering positive training and results for the student participants. This successful, collaborative program continues to inspire positive change for students in California’s rural and disenfranchised communities.