LobbyingFirms.com

What’s Behind the Google Lobby?

John Foreman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:52:13 +0000

With a massive increase in it’s lobbying expenditures, Todd Spangler and John Eggerton of Multichannel News dig into what Google is searching for in D.C.

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Is This The Future Of Lobbyist Compensation?

John Foreman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:18:29 +0000

Jim Snyder of The Hill reports on a new D.C. Lobbying firm that is using a model of compensation not traditionally used for lobbyists working at a firm. Will this work? Is this the Future?

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“Defensive Lobbying”. Don’t Let Your Clients Get Caught Sleeping

John Foreman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:25:21 +0000

AP’s, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, reports on the strategy of “Defensive Lobbying” and how the practice has recently been undertaken by various industries. The article highlights several industry examples but focuses on the efforts of the trade association of the soft drink, sports and energy drinks as they have spent substantial dollars pro-actively lobbying despite the lack of immediate harmful legislation.

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Scottsdale Considers Outsourcing It’s Lobbying Efforts

John Foreman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:22:54 +0000

Lynh Bui from the The Arizona Republic reports on the city of Scottsdale’s proposed plans to downsize it’s government relations department and outsource the work to private lobbyists. The move is being considered in order to save money and increase the efficiency of the city’s efforts in securing state and federal benefits.

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California Lobbyists File Lawsuit To Stop Vote On Proposed Fees

John Foreman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:30 +0000

Andy Furillo from The Sacramento Bee reports on a lawsuit filed to halt a proposed measure that would require California state lobbyists, lobbyist employers and lobbying firms to collectively pay $34 million to fund the statewide secretary of state campaigns in 2014 and 2018.

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Government Policy Making: A Critical Skill-set Of Today’s Corporate Leader

John Foreman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:18 +0000

D.C. based Miles Olsen, Managing Director, Korn/Ferry International’s Eastern Region, provides this white-paper which illustrates the changing demands at the highest level of organizational leadership and the new skills desired of top executives to help navigate an environment of increased regulatory controls. Boards have started to understand that having solid experience in government and public policy making will allow today’s leaders to operate more effectively in this new climate.

Download White-paper – (PDF 520k)

Solar Industry Gets Tough With Coal & Oil

John Foreman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:37:25 +0000

Todd Woddy from the New York Times reports on the fighting words spoken by Solar Association Leaders at the annual Solar Power International Conference in Anaheim, CA. Renewable energy proponents railed against “the tyranny of policies” that are protected by Coal and Oil Lobbies and asked for the renewable industry to “open their wallets” in order to effectively counter lobby the fossil fuel industry’s massive influence machine.

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Farm Lobbying Groups Using Social Media

John Foreman — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:30:54 +0000

Emily Vaughan from National Journal’s Under the Influence reports on lobbying groups using social media with an audience not typically associated with hi-tech media frontiers. Farm lobbying groups are increasingly establishing a presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter in an effort to reach out to farmers.

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Do You Give Good Meeting?

Maggie Bergin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:35:28 +0000

1. Elected and agency officials only work for you if you put them to work.
Government and its policies, at every level, impact virtually every enterprise: health care, education, workforce development, banking, and the green economy, among many. Being unaware of or unengaged in the political process results in substantial missed opportunities for both you and the policy maker.

2. A handshake still rules.
Despite the rise of social media and e-mail, no electronic form of communication comes close to the power of a face-to-face meeting with an elected or agency official.

3. Take the long view.
Government affairs is a repeat business based on existing relationships. New programs, funding, and business opportunities are created all the time. Your goal is to be “top of mind” when this happens.

4. Before you tell them what’s wrong, tell them what’s right.
Always start a meeting by reviewing your company’s:
- History of working with the official’s constituents or client base,
- Overview of current projects or proposals, – Focus, – Size (your budget, staff, and subcontractors),
- And relationships in the elected official’s district.

5. It’s not the more the merrier!
Craft your meetings with elected officials around one or two specific, attainable, and compelling goals. Don’t make a shopping list!

6. Your credit-worthiness is being judged.
Elected officials, like your loan officer, judge your credit (also known as political capital). The key to building political capital is to:
- Show off your company’s specific accomplishments; – Provide proof that what you’re saying is true (facts, statistics, etc.);
- And highlight your community connections.

7. Be honest.
Be prepared to answer any and all questions about your topic, or bring someone with you who can. If you don’t know the answer to a question asked by an elected or agency official, say you don’t know and offer to follow up with staff.

8. Be considerate.
Answer questions simply and clearly; do not go on ad nauseam.
Treat staff person(s) with respect and courtesy. Show up five minutes early but expect to wait.

9. Don’t be shy.
Did the elected/agency official use an acronym you don’t know? Ask. Do you have questions about how a particular program works? Ask. She will be more than happy to answer.

10. In the end, Mom was right.
A timely, genuine, and specific thank-you letter should follow any meeting with an elected/agency official. Address the letter to the official, but send it, electronically and in hard copy, to the staff who attended the meeting.

Disagreements Between Ethanol Lobby Groups May Hurt Corn Industry

John Foreman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:34:14 +0000

The Hill’s, Jim Snyder, reports on potential damage being done to corn industry by rival Ethanol lobbying groups the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy. It is feared that the rift could erode political support for the corn industry on Capitol Hill.

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