“I feel as if I am on an island within my company. How can I get off it?” An in-house government affairs executive asked this question at a recent conference. Her question isn’t unique – many of the professionals I work with express similar sentiments. Given the...
Government Affairs
Government Incentives for Manufacturers: Turning Public Policy into Competitive Advantage
Governments compete. That statement may seem odd, especially to business executives – businesses compete in the market, but governments? Yet it’s true – while we all know governments regulate, we often overlook the fact that they compete, as well. What are they...
Three Costly Myths About Government Affairs
Trust is a prerequisite to engagement. When it’s lacking, avoidance is often the default. That’s exactly what’s happening between business and government today. According to the Pew Research Center, public trust in government is at historic lows. In 2023, only 16% of...
How to Convey the Value of Government Affairs
“How do I convey the value of our government affairs team to the broader organization?” This is, without question, the most frequent inquiry I receive from clients. The response I offer often surprises them: avoid relying solely on metrics. In most business functions,...
The Three Dimensions of Government
The Three Dimensions of Government Today, government influences business outcomes more directly—and more deeply—than ever before. This shift has not gone unnoticed, especially among mid-sized manufacturers and industrial firms that may never have viewed government as...
Functional Excellence in Government Affairs: What it Is and Why it Matters
I distinctly remember the first time I heard the term “functional excellence.” After seven years in M&A law at a large firm, I had just made the leap to an in-house role with a global manufacturer. I was green to corporate-speak and quickly realized I had a lot to...