Advocacy Academy

The Internal Side of Public Affairs (22) The "Just call someone and fix this" mentality If you’re a Public Affairs professional, you’ve likely heard this remark more times than you can count. I certainly did (and continue to do so). Whether it’s a senior executive, a colleague from another function, or even a client, the assumption that our work is only about making a quick phone call to a well-placed contact persists. While it’s flattering to think we have that kind of influence on speed dial, this mindset not only oversimplifies our role—it overlooks the real value Public Affairs brings. Public Affairs is not about shortcuts; it’s about having a strategy. Yes a network of key relationships is crucial but (real) influence and impact aren’t achieved with a single phone call. It requires a deep understanding of the political and regulatory landscape, the policy challenges at play, and the perspectives of diverse stakeholders. The work of public affairs professionals is much more subtle and strategic than simply asking someone for a favor. So how do you manage the “just call someone” mentality? From the very beginning, it’s important to communicate what Public Affairs truly entails. Our work goes far beyond making introductions or quick interventions. Success in Public Affairs is about understanding the right timing, crafting the right messages, and knowing when to engage (and with whom). It’s a delicate balancing act that requires careful planning and consistent engagement over time—not something that can be "fixed" with a single conversation. Make sure your organization knows that achieving their goals will involve sustained efforts, not quick fixes. The 'make a call' suggestion often comes from people who do not really understand what Public Affairs involves. We need to take the time to explain the nuances of what we do (again and again). I also think, as I have written about quite a lot recently, much of the hard work that goes into a successful Public Affairs strategy isn’t visible to the rest of an organization. It is critical to be able to take your organization on your Public Affairs journey so that when you achieve success it is not seen as a one-off outcome of a convenient contact, but as the result of a carefully orchestrated plan-strategy. We all need to keep pushing the narrative that Public Affairs is more than quick fixes—it’s about creating real, sustainable impact and value for an organization. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 👇 #PublicAffairs Pär Nygårds Dr. Per-Erik Wolff Stefan Debruyne Stefan Borst Dr. Stephen Massey Dimitris Vartholomaios Anders Kopp Anna Aleksandra Koj Paul Shotton, PhD Aaron McLoughlin Andras Baneth Wouter Lox Claudia Breure Pieter Walraven Carmen Muñoz Jodar Irene Matías Campano Jorge Espinosa de Los Monteros Romero Kelly Langley Mickey Langley Tom Banks Laila Pinheiro Martina Petkova Tereza Dordia Katarína Gatialová Katarina Molin

🌟 ADVOCACY UNDER THE URGENT PROCEDURE 🌟 When a proposal goes through the urgent procedure, your ability to exert influence is constrained, but it's still possible to make an impact. In this week’s edition of our "Lobby Like a Pro" newsletter, our partners at AdvocacyStrategy use the proposed amendments to the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to illustrate this dynamic.

After a popular first edition, make sure not to miss our next monthly look-ahead webinar. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6_qEDgm

AI Integration in Public Affairs: Survey Insights & Strategic Approaches After the summer, AdvocacyStrategy and bridge_ci conducted the "AI Integration in Public Affairs Survey." We appreciate everyone who contributed, helping us benchmark the AI adoption landscape across the industry. ◾️The main conclusion: AI's most significant impact within Public Affairs is in content creation, followed closely by issue surfacing, meeting summaries and scenario planning. These applications are proving invaluable in enhancing operational efficiencies and ensuring proactive engagements. ◾️Engagement Levels: There's a strong overall familiarity with AI's capabilities, with more than half already piloting various tools and uses. However, there is a large minority (40%) that are in very early stages. ◾️Underutilized Potential: AI tools are less frequently employed for running focus groups, testing messaging, creating visual assets, or simulating meetings. ◾️Barriers to Adoption: The expansion of AI tools is primarily hindered by budget constraints and data privacy concerns. ❕ Key Takeaways ❕  ◾️Strategic AI Implementation: Identifying impactful AI uses is essential. Conducting an audit of your processes can highlight where AI can be most beneficial. ◾️Structured Integration: For those with structured Public Affairs methods, integrating AI tends to be more straightforward, effectively dovetailing with existing workflows. ☎️ Get in Touch: Interested in how we can assist you with these key takeaways? Contact Alan Hardacre, PhD or Paul Shotton, PhD to see how AI can optimize your Public Affairs strategy! Follow Us & Reach Out for the Survey PDF: Stay updated with more insights by following us. Interested in a PDF of the full survey results? Message Paul Shotton, PhD directly.

Perhaps you know that the earlier you start your advocacy on a given file, the more impact you have the potential to realise... but maybe you are less sure exactly HOW to go about it. Here are some tips from our experts, Alan Hardacre, PhD and Paul Shotton, PhD 👇

What is the key to measuring impact in advocacy? The absolute key lies in clarity. One of our founders, Paul Shotton, PhD, outlines three fundamental elements regarding impact: - Clear Goals - KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) - Actionable Indicators At Advocacy Academy, we understand that clarity amplifies the evaluation of your advocacy efforts. But remember it's not only about data, it's about the story it tells. Check out our videos on: 1) Advocacy KPI and Dashboards with Dr. Stephen Massey: https://lnkd.in/etr2jMYr 2) Measuring Success with Paul Shotton, PhD: https://lnkd.in/etWxABYa 3) Auditing your Advocacy Processes with Paul Shotton, PhD: https://lnkd.in/dPjEG9nU Learn with Advocacy Academy https://lnkd.in/eD3yjDHK #MasteringAdvocacy #AdvocacyAcademy

 🌐 Public Affairs Webinar: Public Affairs Value Proposition 🌐 Do you excel in driving impactful Public Affairs but find it challenging to clearly articulate, measure, and communicate your success? You are not alone! Aligning Public Affairs objectives with organizational goals—and demonstrating the value created—is essential, yet often difficult to achieve. How do you define success and value and how do you get your organization to see and understand this? What processes and tools can streamline your work? Our hands-on workshop is designed to give you the tools you need to define, measure, and communicate the value of Public Affairs effectively. Setting Public Affairs objectives and priorities in alignment with your organization is a core challenge, but much more importantly, it is an invaluable opportunity to align, educate and discuss Public Affairs value and contributions. This is a critical moment of interaction within your organization that you need to get right. This is the focus of this Webinar. In this ½ day webinar, we’ll guide you through building a clear Public Affairs Value Proposition, setting impactful objectives and KPIs, and mastering the art of communicating your progress and achievements to key stakeholders. You'll leave equipped with practical tools and strategies to align Public Affairs with your organization's strategic priorities, making your contributions clear and measurable. 🌟 Why attend? In an increasingly fast-paced world, Public Affairs professionals must consistently demonstrate their value. This webinar will empower you to: ✅ Define and articulate your value proposition with your organization ✅ Align your objectives with the strategic priorities of your organization ✅ Define clear, measurable goals to track the impact of your work ✅ Develop KPIs and metrics that demonstrate value to senior leadership ✅ Build compelling narratives and dashboards that illustrate your journey towards success and demonstrate the value of Public Affairs ✅ Learn how others are doing this to inspire you as we head into 2025 planning season ✅ Walk away with actionable templates, processes, and ideas to lead more effectively in Public Affairs 📊 What will we cover? 🔹 Crafting Public Affairs Value Propositions 🔹 Building Public Affairs Prioritization processes / outcomes 🔹 Defining measurable Public Affairs objectives and KPIs aligned to organizational goals 🔹 Measuring WHAT and HOW success in Public Affairs 🔹 Communicating your value and success effectively 💼 Who should attend? This webinar is ideal for Public Affairs professionals at all levels. If your role involves: 🔹 Proving the value of Public Affairs within your organization 🔹 Strengthening engagement with internal stakeholders 🔹 Aligning Public Affairs goals with broader business objectives Then this workshop is for you!

The Internal Side of Public Affairs (21) 🚀 Is Your Public Affairs Function at Peak Performance? Time for an Audit? 🚀 In the fast-paced world of public affairs, standing still is no longer really an option. The external and internal landscapes are constantly shifting and Public Affairs itself is evolving, so your strategies, processes, and tools need to keep up—or better yet, stay ahead. Think here about your use of AI, your templates, processes and core documents used internally. Are they in line with best practice and are you delivering them in the optimum way? Are they having the internal impact you want? That’s why a comprehensive audit of your public affairs work is not just a good idea; it’s becoming essential. ✨ Why run a Public Affairs Audit? Optimize Processes: Are your workflows streamlined for efficiency? An audit uncovers inefficiencies and identifies opportunities to enhance your operations. Sharpen Your Strategy: Is your strategy aligned with current realities and future trends? Auditing your strategic approach ensures you're not just reactive, but proactively shaping the agenda. Update Your Templates: Are your public affairs tools and templates delivering the impact they should? Fresh, modernized tools and templates can elevate your work and make your efforts more effective. Are you using AI: Have you started to integrate AI into your Public Affairs work to save time, improve quality and further professionalize your work? Reviewing what you do and where AI can support you can lead to immediate time (and cost) savings and better Public Affairs preparations. ✨ The Payoff? Increased Agility: With optimized processes, you'll be quicker on your feet, ready to tackle new challenges head-on. Greater Impact: A refined strategy and updated tools mean your public affairs initiatives will resonate more powerfully—internally and externally. Energize your team: Building in best practice will energize your Public Affairs team and foster a culture of constant improvement. One of the greatest achievements that a Public Affairs leader can leave an organization is a state-of-the-art Public Affairs structure and process that lasts well beyond their tenure. Do you have one? Be proactive and look to conduct an audit today, and ensure your public affairs function is not just keeping pace but leading the way. #PublicAffairs #Strategy #AdvocacyStrategy Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 👇   Pär Nygårds Dr. Per-Erik Wolff Dr. Stephen Massey Dimitris Vartholomaios Anders Kopp Anna Aleksandra Koj Paul Shotton, PhD Aaron McLoughlin Andras Baneth Wouter Lox Claudia Breure Pieter Walraven Carmen Muñoz Jodar Irene Matías Campano Jorge Espinosa de Los Monteros Romero Kelly Langley Mickey Langley Tom Banks Laila Pinheiro Martina Petkova Tereza Dordia Katarína Gatialová Katarina Molin Stefan Borst

What is an echo chamber in public affairs? While echo chambers can carry a negative connotation in social media, their role in public affairs is different. They play a strategic role, serving as platforms where aligned stakeholders come together. Advocacy Echo Chambers unite diverse but like-minded networks, influencers, and key stakeholders, reinforcing shared opinions to drive joint agendas forward. --> Why Do Echo Chambers Matter? Understanding echo chambers in advocacy is crucial for strategic collaboration and alliances, amplifying messages, and driving impactful change in public affairs. By leveraging these networks, you can enhance advocacy efforts, deepen stakeholder engagement, and foster more informed decision-making. Check out our course on building an Echo Chamber: https://lnkd.in/eYJix3Kk #MasteringAdvocacy #AdvocacyAcademy

Is everything a priority, or is it time to focus on what truly matters? 🤔 Prioritization is the cornerstone of effective advocacy. These three rules will guide you: ✅ Develop a robust internal process to measure and quantify each issue you are facing. ✅ Land on no more than 3-5 'must-win' high-impact priorities per year. ✅ Review these priorities every six months to stay aligned with internal and external developments. Want to know how to run a professional public affairs prioritization process for your organisation? Unlock your advocacy potential with Advocacy Academy, offering 30 hours of advocacy skills and templates. Ready to make an impact? Join us in mastering advocacy www.advocacy-academy.com #MasteringAdvocacy #AdvocacyAcademy