Julia heads corporate communications at Survue, an infrastructure services group. Her remit covers major accounts, principally government contracts - some 40% of Survue's turnover. How can she keep Survue in the public sector's good books?

Her concerns are twofold. First is compliance with a long list of mandatories for probity, sustainability, and diversity: without these Survue can't get onto approved supplier lists. Second comes public image: one misinterpreted statement and contracts get cancelled. So it's all about staying on-message, from the shortest press statement to the fattest annual report.

Julia's new to the government beat, but knows the public sector journals and the financial papers are the big hitters. Her first job is to find out what's most important in that thicket of information.

Next: understanding power and influence.