Anders Kopp’s Post

This is such an important point and "manage for process, not outcomes" should be laminated and on the wall for public affairs professionals. PA pros operate in a VUCA environment, and there is no input-process-output relationship. Instead it is input-process-lots of ancillary inputs and co-dependencies-output. If you try to manage what you cannot control, it is a recipe for pain and misery. Focus on the process.

The Crucial Role of Public Affairs in Business: Navigating Policies and Building Relationships In today's business landscape, public affairs is indispensable for navigating policies and regulations. It facilitates relationship-building and effective communication with key stakeholders, essential for shaping new policies and regulations. 1. Importance of Public Affairs: Relationship Building: Public affairs professionals foster relationships with policymakers and regulatory bodies, enabling businesses to advocate for their interests and participate in policy discussions. 2. Influencing Policies: By engaging in policy discussions and providing insights, public affairs experts help shape policy outcomes that align with businesses' interests. Risk Mitigation: Proactive engagement in public affairs allows businesses to anticipate regulatory changes, enhance compliance efforts, and minimize operational disruptions. 3. Leveraging Public Affairs Strategies: Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and engaging diverse stakeholders enables businesses to tailor their advocacy efforts and effectively convey their point of view. 4. Strategic Communication: Clear and compelling communication helps businesses articulate their positions and build credibility with policymakers and stakeholders. 5. Coalition Building: Collaboration with like-minded organizations amplifies businesses' voices, increases their influence, and drives collective action on key policy issues. Conclusion: Public affairs empowers businesses to navigate regulatory complexities, advocate for their interests, and contribute to informed decision-making. Integrating public affairs into strategic initiatives is crucial for long-term success in today's dynamic regulatory environment. #PublicAffairs #PolicyAdvocacy #StakeholderEngagement #RegulatoryCompliance #BusinessStrategy #GovernmentRelations #AdvocacyEfforts #CoalitionBuilding #StrategicCommunication #PolicyInfluence

Dilemmas from the world of Public Affairs in Europe: Working without a mandate in Public Affairs... 👉🏼 The past couple of months I have talked to a few PA pros, who told me they are working on issues or policy which are not mandated by their group/unit head... oh dear 😱 👉🏼 They have done it (and still do it) because they believe that these issues or this policy will influence their companies heavily during the next European cycle 👉🏼 These PA pros - who go against the will of their bosses - are all seasoned in PA with 10+ years of experience 👉🏼 Intuitively, this looks bad. As Garvin & Roberto have pointed out in "Change through Persuasion", this type of behaviour can be described as "dysfunctional routines" which can sometimes become self-reinforcing (see figure below) Dysfunctional routines are persistent, but not impossible to change. 👉🏼 The PA pros know this is not optimal, but still continued as they feared the consequences if they didn't. 👉🏼 So a question I have been pondering lately: Is this always a sign of an unhealthy culture? 👉🏼 Logically most would probably think it is unhealthy if your colleagues work on matters which are not top priority or even go against their leaders. Further, this can also be taken as a sign, that the PA pros haven't succeeded in convincing their leaders what should be prioritized from a PA perspective. 👉🏼 A contrarian take would be that 1) these PA pros are actually looking out for their companies (while also handling their normal "mandated" tasks), 2) that they (maybe) know better than their leaders and 3) are acting as responsible professionals. So how would you approach this dilemma? Bonus info: In all observations, the leaders/bosses were all head of regulatory affairs…😳 #publicaffairs #creatingapaculture

What might a mission-driven government mean for public affairs pros? In my video I suggest a couple of broader implications, but some more specific thoughts for PA pros are: 1️⃣ Double-down on great evidence We know how vital it is to provide strong evidence to get airtime with decision-makers to make a persuasive case for change. In a mission-driven government that is focused on transformative outcomes, providing compelling evidence that shows how transformation can be achieved becomes more essential. This might mean a change to the kind of evidence or methods of research you rely on to make a case, and how internal colleagues do that for you. 2️⃣ Review who you engage with In a mission-driven government it's likely more powers will flow away from London to local areas and to local political decision-makers (we live in hope!). So, giving some thought on how to factor this into business-as-usual public affairs could matter if you don´t do much regional/local engagement already. If you don't have the budget for dedicated headcount to focus on local political stakeholders how can you build this into your existing team? 3️⃣ Delayed decisions Finally, a mission-driven government won't happen overnight if Labour wins the election. The likelihood of abolishing, reshuffling or merging government departments is high. Depending on the speed and radicalism of machinery of government changes, I'd bet on delays, unclarity and confusion about the delivery of major policy priorities in the early days of a mission-driven new Labour government (and some tough choices about priorities). Managing internal expectations about how fast a new government can deliver its mission is something public affairs pros might want to have at the back of their minds. ______________________________ 🔔 P.S. Hit follow for future posts 📲 P.P.S. Need help with your public affairs strategy/campaign, or want to invest in developing your team with public affairs training? Let’s chat.

Two questions : What makes a great consultancy? Why is Terrapin different? Having run the largest public affairs agency (Bell Pottinger) for twelve years, I came to understand that the trick is to employ the best consultants, to consistently deliver outstanding results and (crucially) to understand your clients’ businesses. The key role for a consultancy is to deliver added value. Over the years, it has also become clear that clients like to work with consultants who they like. Hence Team Terrapin’s mantra : Best in class. Best fun! 🐢🐢🐢 In the world of property and development, Team Terrapin brings something very special and possibly unique to the party. In addition to our extensive consultation and communication expertise, we also deploy our experience of local government and our unsurpassed political networks for the benefits of our clients. Our aim is always to derisk a scheme at the start of the planning process …😎 Too many developers and house builders are surprised when their schemes are refused. Yet, there should never be any surprises at a planning committee. Before any application is submitted there must always be extensive engagement with all the key players including the senior politicians. Once the planning application is submitted, there should be no surprises. So to answer my two opening questions. What defines a great consultancy is an approach and delivery which always exceeds the expectation of clients. Team Terrapin is different because we insert political knowledge and expertise into the planning process. If all of this makes sense, please get in touch with me at : [email protected]

In a world where discourse often becomes very polarised, and heels are dug in on various social, political and economic positions, the Corporate Affairs function is of increasing importance to ensure clear communication around, and navigation of, hot-button topics. Some great insights here from Odgers colleagues.

Influencing government is not as hard as you think. There's a way that costs nothing: As not-for-profit managers, we often feel our voices are lost in the crowd. I remember submitting proposals that never got a response, leaving me frustrated and questioning my expertise. Then I discovered the power of authority and personal content. By sharing expert insights and personal stories on public platforms, I began to build credibility. Grantors started noticing. Government officials listened. My articles showcased our expertise and humanized our mission, making real connections. No more feeling overlooked or spending resources on ineffective strategies. Start by writing one article this week on an issue you care about. You'll be surprised how quickly your influence grows, your words can make change without costly lobbying.

Public Policy Development: Developing public policy typically involves several key steps. Here is a general outline of the process involved in developing public policy: 1. Agenda Setting: This is the first step where issues are identified and brought to the attention of policymakers. This can be done through research, media coverage, public pressure, or expert recommendations. 2. Policy Formulation: In this step, various policy options are developed to address the identified issue. This involves researching potential solutions, analyzing their impacts, and considering the feasibility of implementation. 3. Legitimization: Once policy options are formulated, they need to be legitimized through political processes. This may involve gaining support from key stakeholders, interest groups, legislators, or the public. 4. Adoption: The next step is the formal adoption of the policy. This could be done through legislation, executive order, regulation, or other formal means depending on the governing structure. 5. Implementation: After adoption, the policy needs to be implemented. This involves putting the policy into action, assigning responsibilities, securing resources, and setting up monitoring mechanisms. 6. Evaluation: Evaluating the policy's effectiveness is crucial to determine if it is achieving its intended objectives. This can involve collecting data, analyzing outcomes, and assessing the impact of the policy. 7. Feedback: Based on the evaluation, feedback should be provided to policymakers. This feedback loop helps in identifying areas for improvement, making necessary adjustments, or even revising the policy if needed. These steps are often iterative and may require revisiting previous stages based on feedback and evaluation results. Public policy development is a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple stakeholders and considerations. #policy #policymaking #publicpolicy #strategy #Excellence ##leadership

💡 Not your average consulting firm 💡 Oak & Argyle stands out in the strategic consulting landscape through our distinctive methodology and the diverse expertise of our team. You won’t receive any status quo advice or ideas here 🚫 Our approach is not just about providing advice; it’s about embedding ourselves into the core of our client’s objectives and challenges 🤝 We bring a unique blend of expertise in government affairs, communications, and real estate development 🗣️📝🏘️ Our experience enables us to offer a multi-dimensional perspective that goes beyond traditional consulting 💫 Curious how we can help you advance your goals? Let’s chat! 📧 [email protected] 📱 (617) 398-7630 #mapoli #publicaffairs #publicpolicy #governmentrelations #governmentaffairs #strategiccommunications #communityrelations #realestatedevelopment #consulting #smallbusiness #strategicplanning #roadmaptosuccess

What is Public Affairs? Public affairs is a fascinating field that sits at the intersection of government, business, and society. It emerged from the need to bridge the gap between organizations and policymakers, helping to shape the policies and regulations that affect industries and citizens alike. 📖 As David Coen writes in The Oxford Handbook of Business and Government, public affairs professionals “provide vital links between organizations and the political world, influencing decision-making processes that drive both public and corporate strategy.” The field offers a wide range of career opportunities, including: 1. Government Relations Manager: Builds and maintains relationships with government officials to advocate for the interests of the organization. 2. Lobbyist: Directly represents and promotes a company or organization's interests to policymakers. 3. Public Policy Analyst: Researches and analyzes legislative and regulatory developments that impact a specific sector. 4. Corporate Affairs Director: Oversees an organization's communication strategies and relationships with external stakeholders, including government entities. 5. Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensures that organizations comply with all relevant laws and regulations, especially in highly regulated industries. If you're passionate about understanding the dynamics between business, government, and society, public affairs might be the right field for you. #PublicAffairs #GovernmentRelations #Lobbying #CorporateAffairs #PublicPolicy #RegulatoryAffairs #CareerOpportunities #PolicyMaking #StrategicCommunication