Effective Public Engagement – 3rd in a series of 5 posts

Old-School-GovernmentFighting a government threat is a lot like any important undertaking involving any constituent group. To be effective, you must first seek to understand before you work to be understood (this is a key takeaway in my book, Building a Winning Business). That’s why my first lesson is (1) Pay close attention to the issues and government proposals before they become laws!

It takes time to read newspapers and to follow the many proposals that are described, particularly at the beginning of the legislative season. If you don’t have time to personally monitor the political landscape, engage a professional to do this on your behalf (larger companies have public affairs teams in house who routinely do this important work). Don’t take a blasé approach to a potential threat in the early stages because the best time to influence a legislative outcome is before a proposal becomes a law.

Part of understanding proposed legislation should include an appreciation for what a politician is seeking to accomplish. Thus, my lesson #2: Seek to understand both sides of the issue so you can provide a reasonable, balanced perspective.

In the recent B2B debate, the Governor was clearly concerned about the long-term viability of our state. He repeatedly stated the need to make sure every single Minnesotan is prepared for the future with a solid education. Those are goals I, and many in the business community share.

This also explains why lesson #3, “Work to document your company’s contribution to the local community,” is so important. We need to prove that we have “skin in the game” when discussing what is best for our businesses, employees and the communities where we operate. During the B2B debate, we gathered information about where our employees live, how much we contribute in taxes and charitable contributions and other key data. This was woven into my articles and into direct conversations with members of the Minnesota State Legislature.

Next time: lessons 4-7

standardMay 4Tom SalonekTaxes

Marketing Director Wanted!

Yes-to-OpportunityThis is a deviation from my normal posts.  In the past, some of you have inquired about working at Intertech.  This position reports to the Intertech Partner in charge of training sales but has “dotted line” reporting to me.  If you have interest or know someone who may, please apply at Intertech’s website (http://www.Intertech.com/Jobs).  We’re looking for candidates in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Below is the copy from the job posting on our site.

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Intertech, an award-winning firm named the #1 mid-sized employer in Minnesota by Minnesota Business magazine in 2012 and eight-time winner of the Business Journal’s Best Places to Work competition, is looking for an exceptional Marketing Director.

This role will continue the drive in Intertech’s growth (Intertech is an eight time Inc. 500/5000 winner).

As a Marketing Director, we’re looking for someone who can provide direction to the leadership team yet organize and implement the day-to-day marketing activities.  We’re looking for an extraordinary individual who can:

  • Provide a yearly marketing plan with execution details
  • Manage activities and events like our newsletters, user group, and conference exhibiting
  • Engage our customers on social media
  • Create phenomenal content
  • Work with our outside marketing design firm on branding
  • Work with our outside retained public relations firm

Additional Skillsets Needed:

  • The ability to get the big picture and get things done
  • Past marketing experience
  • An undergraduate degree in marketing, business, or English is preferred
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Solid organization skills

Why Join Intertech?

There are many reasons Intertech is the employer of choice.  Below are just a few:

  • The ability as the Marketing Director to have an important voice and visible role in our firm
  • Flexible schedule including standing work-from-home day(s)
  • A remarkable environment. We’re the recipient of over 35 awards for work environment and growth
  • A three month paid sabbatical for every seven years of service

All the other stuff needed to be recognized as the #1 mid-sized employer in Minnesota… good pay, comprehensive benefits, …

standardApril 30Tom SalonekArticle on Intertech

Effective Public Engagement – 10 Guidelines

The-WhitehouseAs I mentioned in my previous post, Fighting a Government Threat is both an academic case study topic in the March 2013 issue of Harvard Business Review and is a subject that is quite personal for my company. In this and several upcoming posts I will share lessons learned from my own engagement with governmental leaders, as well as recommendations from the HBR case study of the same title.  So, without further adieu, here are my Top 10 Rules for Effective Public Engagement:

 

 

 

  1. Pay close attention to the issues and government proposals before they become laws!
  2. Seek to understand both sides of the issue so you can provide a reasonable, balanced perspective.
  3. Work to document your company’s contribution to the local community.
  4. Engage your employees in the public debate as much as possible.
  5. Don’t be afraid to take a position and speak out about it.
  6. Don’t make idle threats.
  7. Try to offer reasonable ideas/counter proposals that both parties can live with.
  8. Don’t assume that your counterpart thinks the way you do or is influenced by the same consideration.
  9. Work to find points of convergence and show empathy for the goals of the Governor or legislators with whom you have a disagreement.
  10. Build a positive relationship with the news media over time.

Next post I will take a closer look at items 1-3.

standardApril 20Tom SalonekTaxes