Public opinion tends to mistrust the existence of relations with governments or legislators by public and private entities. For these they are vital because it is about interacting efficiently with regulators or legislators. Politicians, like journalists, are people with a sea of knowledge one centimeter deep and this relationship is vital for the good of all. The key is to do it efficiently and here I outline the three phases to be successful.
By: ottogutierrez@ymail.com
One day during one of those endless breaks in the middle of the Congress sessions, I spoke with several congressmen and asked them about the relationship with the so-called liaisons with the congress, better-called lobbyists, and later called an advocate. The legislators told me they considered them very important because they seemed valuable as illustrators of unknown issues, they avoided mistakes, they made them look like experts, but above all, they were very visible and important validators of their role as legislators, something that they needed to show to Public opinion. So why the image of corruption in favor of personal interests or large companies? and the response was clear and concise. Here we all came to legislate well. Very few are bad but more is good. If anyone becomes corrupted it is in a personal capacity. The “bad things” are done outside of here. What we do here is politics, that cannot be denied, but politics properly understood is very different from corruption.
Read here: THE CHALLENGE IS TO GO FROM THE PRESS IN CAMPAIGN TO THE COMMUNICATION OF GOVERNMENT WITH EFFICIENCY AND SECURITY https://bit.ly/2Xso0At
This idea is true. The well-understood policy is the one that is exerted in favor of the best for communities, social and productive sectors, minorities – majorities, democracy, environment, and in general better quality of life and options for a better future for all. This exercise of politics is the virtuous practice and it is the one that occurs daily in the world in a greater proportion, although corrupt politics also but in less quantity. Having said that, let’s talk about the importance of professional and ethical interaction with politics in what has to do with relations with the government and public affairs. My experience has shown me that this work goes beyond meetings or dialogues, however successful they may be. In order for relations with the government and the management of public affairs to be permanently fruitful, they must mix three ingredients: Strategies that consist of three lines, Previous actions in five areas, and Execution in four tasks. Let’s see the recipe in the following figure.
First, let’s review the Strategies, they are those that the organization raises from its department of relations with the government or public affairs, 99% is based on three lines known as IPA which are: Instruction, Persuasion, and Alignment. 1. Instruction consists of educating and teaching stakeholders or key actors about the organization. There are many opportunities to educate about what the organization does, benefits, impact, and expansion needs for greater benefits. The latter may be a variable of favorability before an official or legislator who seeks improvement in their communities and therefore would be interested. He will claim as his work the political benefit of a greater presence in his community. 2. Persuasion, using a good narrative to influence stakeholders or key actors in favor of the organization. There is a lot of external value here since a good narrative makes life easier for those who need to be able to count the action of the organization in a consistent and effective way. It will always give confidence knowing that the lawyer belongs to a well-established and consistent organization. 3. Alignment, helping to connect activities with key stakeholders or actors with the organization’s strategy and values. Regulators or legislators at all levels are likely to benefit from resources created with this goal in mind. An organization that can show good performance will be viable to be viewed favorably with alignment to its values and mission.
Now let’s talk about the five Actions that the organization must prepare in order to execute the three previous strategic lines. This is the PRANI, Plan, Risks, Actors, Narrative, Indicators. 1. Plan, Like all activities that seek to be effective and efficient, a plan must be available that clearly defines the course that all actions must take, their nature, definition, time, resources, and those responsible. 2. Risks, it is necessary to have a list of the risks that may arise, each one must be described in great detail until it comes to foreseeing the actions that the organization should take to contain the situation in the eventual occurrence of one of the risks. This will be valuable for the timely facilitation of the damage containment action. 3. Key actors, get to know and outline each of the actors who will intervene in each of the instances (officials – legislators). Get to know their interests, motivations, provenance, the field of action, political environment, and even positions on key issues very well. This will facilitate the three strategic lines. 4. Narrative, the organization needs a complete narrative that serves as a central discourse for all the production of messages and their dissemination. They will be the words that come out of the organization to inform, persuade, or align and hence its high value. As an always updated discourse, it will be repeated to fulfill its objective as indicated by the theory of message and communication. 5. Indicators, like any plan, must be measured to see the effectiveness, the volume of its activities, or for future improvement. Must have KPIs. In the end, all work must be measured, reported, and reviewed.
Thirdly, we will see the execution of strategies and actions focused on the four Tasks that relations with the government and public affairs must fully satisfy to achieve the alignment, consensus or solidarity of the key actors with the organization and the interests what are you looking for. 1. What, as in team sports, the coach’s message to the athlete when he says he expects him to do is very effective. If everyone is clear about the “what” it will be definitive to avoid distortions. 2. When, the good coach knows how to tell the athlete the moment in which he hopes that with his talent he will apply the “what”. The clear definition of that “when” will be decisive for the success of the execution. 3. For what, returning to the coach the best way to understand the “what” and “when” will occur at the moment that the “for what” conveys the certainty of aligning with the organization. 4. Mutual benefit, Just as the coach ensures that his athletes perform more when they can measure the benefit that the requested action brings, in the same way the key actors assimilating the mutual benefit will have the greatest motivation to adhere to the organization’s request .
Strategic lines, actions, and execution like all things in theory are easier than in practice. This does not mean that what is explained here is utopian or unfeasible. It means that its realization is a dedicated, detailed, and decisive task. It is not a recipe for beginners, but it is clear if this is planned well can supply deficiencies for those who execute it. Relations with key actors or stakeholders are a very important part of the communication of an organization. The first mistake begins with not seeing it that way and putting external communication only the media as the most important. It sounds crazy but it happens in many organizations. To learn more about how to implement relations with the government or handle public affairs, write to me at ottogutierrez@ymail.com, tell me about your need or project, and I will surely be able to help you.
Otto Gutierrez 