How To Positively Influence v2

Purpose & how to use: Influencing techniques for converting "no" or "not interested" into "yes" — for the inevitable sceptical councillor, trader, or council engineer. Use it when preparing for advocacy or stakeholder meetings.
Who it's for: Town Team leaders, advocates and project champions.
Key points: The core idea is to speak the language of your audience, starting from their needs and concerns rather than your own — so technical audiences want technical information, and traders want to hear about footfall and sales. Patience and gentle persistence work well with traders and the public, trials and prototypes lower the perceived risk of permanent change, and being a good soul travels further than any pitch. A stakeholder/needs/notes template helps map your audiences in advance.