In earlier articles, I’ve explained that a strategic initiative is a kind of program that is amenable to the tools of program management. (However, not all programs are strategic initiatives.) One of the most important functions of programs is to create and deliver a stream of benefits to stakeholders. Benefits can be of two types: economic benefits and emotive benefits.

In this article, I want to briefly list (in prioritized order) benefits that flow to stakeholders through exposure to visible experts. A visible expert is an individual with pronounced visibility in their subject matter as evidenced by writing books, articles, keynote speaking, and etc. They have an earned reputation as an expert. Here is the list*:

• • We learn just from working with them
  • They introduce new solutions we had not considered
  • They solve problems more quickly
  • The solve the most complicated problems
  • They help increase our credibility
  • They reduce our risk

Leaders of strategic initiatives have big jobs in closing organizational performance gaps. They have a big challenge in the benefits realization piece, especially articulating and delivering emotive benefits. You can use the above list as a way to probe for and deliver things that will enhance your credibility.

How have you become a visible expert or used one? Are you working toward becoming a visible expert? How do you provide benefits realization?

* The source of this list was research done by Hinge Research Institute and published in their eBook: The Visible Expert: How to Create Industry Stars. And why every professional firm should care.