Corporate Public Affairs is often overlooked. But it is often pivotal for stakeholder management and policy development.
Here are 7 strategies to build an effective Public Affairs team:
1) Invest in talent Hire people with:
• Strong communication & relationship-building skills
• On demand problem solving skills with good judgement
• Public policy knowledge
• Creative thinking abilities
• Political savviness
Invest in continuous learning to keep the team sharp.
2) Develop clear objectives:
What do you want to accomplish?
Develop an action plan that outlines:
• Goals
• Metrics
• Timelines
• Budgets
This way, you can measure success and adjust as needed.
3) Build relationships with stakeholders:
Identify key stakeholders and build relationships with them.
This includes:
• Government officials
• Industry associations
• Community leaders
• NGOs
• Academia
Engage with them regularly and listen to their feedback.
4) Communicate proactively:
Communicate your organization’s positions on issues that matter to stakeholders. Use clear, concise, and respectful language. Don’t just focus on selling your point of view; listen to, and address, stakeholders’ concerns.
5) Leverage digital channels:
Leverage digital channels to engage with stakeholders:
• Social media
• Online forums
• Email newsletters
• Webinars
Digital channels give you access to a wider range of stakeholders, increase transparency, and facilitate ongoing dialogue.
6) Measure and evaluate:
Measure the effectiveness of your Public Affairs efforts. Track:
• Key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Media coverage
• Public perception
• Government relations
Evaluate your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly
7) Collaborate internally:
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment and foster a culture of Public Affairs.
Your Public Affairs team should work closely with:
• Legal
• Regulatory
• Communications
• Marketing
• Sales
At Strategic Advisory Services, we offer our clients build up public affairs teams as well as help resize/refocus home grown teams consistent with local market dynamics and regulatory risks.
