"Anyone who wants to be understood today must start earlier. Well-prepared communication builds trust—even in governments and public administrations."
Think, communicate, act: Leadership and communication go hand in hand. As a member of the government, I applied strategic communication; as a staff member, I planned: for internal communication, stakeholder management, social and traditional media, including issues management. Managing crisis communication, winning referendums: experience, expertise, an integrative approach, and a practical focus characterize my consulting work—from risk assessment to concepts to implementation.
"Communicate professionally—that's the key to success!"
Presentations, coaching sessions, and workshops for leadership and teams: ranging from strategy, argumentation, and public speaking training to cross-media implementation.
Offers
Keynote Presentation
As an expert, I analyze what has changed—and what that means in concrete terms for communication.
Cross-media communication
The goal is to communicate with the target audiences wherever they actually are—internally, directly, digitally, and through the media. To that end, we are laying the necessary groundwork.
By the way: Where are the dialogue groups for government communication? What do voters want? We’re currently investigating this through a practical research approach—in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Ulrike Röttger, professor of public relations research at the University of Münster.
This introduction establishes a common understanding for everyone involved in the communication process. It’s a great foundation for our continued work!
Communication Strategy
The initial effort required to achieve strategic depth pays off in many ways, because it minimizes risks and allows opportunities to be seized!
We create a sustainable foundation for
—from the starting point through
the goals and strategy to implementation—in a pragmatic, interdisciplinary, and practical way.
Communication and Presentation Skills
Key messages, tough questions, media contacts, and challenging appearances—we provide intensive, realistic training for all of these.
If necessary, we bring in ComCoeur. The team specializes in live performances.
Tip: We're currently getting top marks for these training sessions!
-
Together, we analyze and categorize strengths, risks, and blind spots in communication—as a pragmatic starting point for decision-making.
-
We establish a shared understanding of the requirements and current methodological standards for government and administrative communication as a solid foundation.
-
With the overarching concept, we lay the foundation for long-term communication management across the entire organization
—and with thematic concepts, we establish the framework for communicating relevant topics.
Model: © Policy Implementation Model. -
Using key messages and the analysis of stakeholder groups, we lay the groundwork for strengthening our reputation and developing communication that is easy to understand, sustainable in the long term, and adaptable to specific situations—communication that resonates with each stakeholder group.
-
Deliver the prepared key messages to our target audiences through the appropriate channels: internally, to stakeholders, via direct channels and social media, and through strategic media relations. We lay the groundwork for this. In collaboration with uhub.io.
-
We provide insights into how traditional media work and into tools that enable you to identify communication risks and opportunities early on and make the most of them (monitoring, issues management, agenda setting, public storytelling, framing).
And we recommend helpful tools. In partnership with DELOS. -
For communication situations, we work with executives to clarify attitudes, roles, messages, procedures, and approvals based on proven principles. Ready for immediate use—valid PSP GSP-ISG basic security clearance and operational suitability assessment.
-
We coach public appearances, video messages, interviews, and media interactions. If necessary, we bring in ComCoeur. This interdisciplinary team specializes in public appearances.
References
-
![]()
"Barbara Günthard-Maier has a profound and practice-oriented knowledge of political communication, strategic communication management and organizational and team development, complemented by profound analytical and conceptual thinking skills."
Peter Düggeli, Head of Communication FDFA April 2021 to December 2022
* References from current clients
The utmost confidentiality of client assignments is of central importance to me. I will provide you with current contacts after consultation.
My competencies
Learn
Organizational development, issues and crisis communication, referendums: Leading, communicating, winning as a member of government.
Expert
For my consultations, as an author and lecturer, I use scientific models (St. Gallen Business Eningeering Map, Policy Implementation Model).
Integrative
I am senior, calm and make use of diverse skills. Because thanks to the participation of relevant stakeholders, clever, sustainable solutions are created.
Energetic
What I say, I do. I'm there until everything is up and running. Because it's not concepts that bring real relief and success, but actual implementation in day-to-day work.
Contact us
Barbara Günthard-Maier
Managing Director
Alleeweg 23
3006 Berne
Tössertobelstrasse 15
8400 Winterthur
Meeting and workshop rooms
c/o ComCoeur
Morillonstrasse 45
3007 Bern
barbara.guenthard@umsetzung.ch
+41 79 238 18 36