Why Cakes Matter when engaging with landowners

Why do you think cakes make difference to engaging with stakeholders? 🎂

Landowner negotiations are one of the trickiest parts of infrastructure delivery—yet too often, they’re underestimated or handled poorly.

We regularly learn of project teams undervaluing how deeply a scheme can affect landowners—commercially, personally, legally. Add to that a lack of real-world naivety / experience, and trust begins to erode fast.

The traditional consultancy timesheet-driven approach / junior-led staff and funders requirements creates a ‘tick box’ process or promotes the landowner as an ‘obstacle’ to be overcome. It simply doesn’t work here.

Public sector projects, especially, can’t afford the fallout of ineffective engagement which combined with single year funding limitations can set back a project many years. Some of the issues, not all, are down to piss poor engagement which even the longest record keeping of conversation can’t fix.

Here’s the truth:
Landowners aren’t just stakeholders. (yes I’m still using this word). They’re people. They’re part of the design solution, not hurdles to “manage.” The “email-first, dictate-later” style? It rarely wins hearts—or outcomes.

This week, Connected Transport Planning (CTP) we have been taking another positive step forward on another Argyll and Bute Council project that’s been ongoing for a number of years. We visited the area 3 times scheduled around other project commitments to take advantage of the opportunity to meet. We met face-to-face and we listened to landowners who openly shared their frustration of not being engaged with either frequently enough or not being brought into the options development process, when the design options affect THEIR land. We’re grateful for their feedback—and reminded again how vital it is to meet in person and be open about the process.

So the bigger question….how do we teach the next generation of consultant’s real communication skills—without letting them learn through costly mistakes…especially irreparable ones affecting landowners? no manual will ever teach you that.

Perhaps introducing empathy sharing experience is a positive start. And yes… bring cake. 🍰

www.connectedtp.com