Engaging and informing the public

Executive Director of Simplification Irene Etzkorn speaks about how we help our government clients achieve true simplification.

Fighting information overload

We discuss how government can better serve the public by optimizing everyday, transactional communications such as forms, websites and disclosures. Read the white paper now.

A trusted agency partner

Siegel+Gale is a GSA approved vendor. We've been honored to work with an extensive collection of government agencies…and the list continues to grow.

Government

Overview

Siegel+Gale is the pioneer in simplifying government communications. We turn the frustrating jargon and bureaucratic legalese found in many government processes and communications into simple, transparent and positive consumer experiences.

The challenges

In attempting to give everyone equal access to information, government agencies face the challenges of an audience that is vast and diverse, and a regulatory environment that must respond to market and legislative dynamics. Often, agencies succumb to the flawed belief that government writing must sound "official," and tend to communicate defensively—seeking to protect themselves—rather than communicate clearly.

Government efforts to simplify communications have historically failed for one of three reasons: (1) the changes made were incremental rather than comprehensive—focusing on making narrow improvements to forms, applications and correspondence, instead of addressing the holistic impact of all related communications in an integrated fashion; (2) inappropriate measures have been used for calculating the public's "paperwork burden"; and (3) some initiatives mistakenly assumed that any paperwork reduction equaled simplification.

Our approach

True simplification requires reconceptualizing and redesigning communications to provide clear and helpful information in a consumer-focused and cost-effective manner. That means rethinking the process, purpose, timing and media channels—as well as the actual writing and design.

Informed by user-centered research—and employing our integrated simplification skills—we transform government communications into simple, transparent, consumer-focused touchpoints that enhance comprehension, increase the likelihood of accurate and complete transactions and encourage compliance.