PIN Points Fall 2022 Edition

Letter from the Chair

[vc_toggle title=”Read More”]Speaking of 2023, I’m looking forward to using these last two months of 2022 to map out next year. One of my favorite ‘other duties as assigned’ is to lead our yearly strategy planning for the federal and state government relations team. We use this time to reflect on the previous year – what went well, what didn’t, etc. – and how we want the next year to look. Granted, everything changes in the government relations world on a weekly basis, but I find the practice to be inspiring. New on this year’s agenda, a self-assessment exercise to better understand one another’s strengths and build more effective team relationships and a focus on how we can better capture and communicate the GR Team’s ROI.

These ideas were inspired by Public Affairs Council resources – their easy to access webinars and the Advocacy and PAC Conferences they host in the winter. If you’ve never been to the Advocacy or PAC Conferences, I strongly suggest attending one – or both! It’s a unique opportunity to spend a few days with hundreds of peers in your field who not only understand what you do but also help you think outside the box and beyond the norm. I so very much appreciate how the Public Affairs Council has brought our communities together – no matter what industry we’re in or what we’re advocating for, there’s always something we can learn from one another. I also appreciate the benchmarking opportunities – their PAC, grassroots and government relations salary surveys are vital in knowing if your salary is on par with your peers. Between inflation and the strong job market, it’s important that we don’t forget to advocate for ourselves.

And with that, I’m off to finish packing for Italy – alla prossima![/vc_toggle]

2022 Salary Survey Reports Just Released!

[vc_single_image source=”external_link” custom_src=”https://pac.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SalarySurveys2022-1.gif”] [vc_btn title=”Purchase the Reports” color=”juicy-pink” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpac.org%2F2022-salary-surveys%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1667404260980{padding-top: 2px !important;}”]

Finding and Managing Your Next Vendor

[vc_single_image image=”113904″] [vc_toggle title=”Read More”]Avoid RFPs if possible.

Sometimes they are unavoidable – your C-suite may require a formal RFP, or you may need to get a broad look at options. However, RFPs can be a lengthy process for both you and the applicants as you have to outline all requirements and deadlines, and vendors must spend hours prepping a proposal for business they may not get. Need more convincing? Many consultancies and vendors are moving towards not even accepting RFPs.

So how do you evaluate vendors and do your due diligence? Meetings. Schedule meetings with potential vendors. It’s a good way to show them you are interested in what they have to offer and for them to show you how they can fulfill your project requirements. Another option? Create a one-pager with your project specs and distribute it to consultants in the space. This provides a concise introduction to your project and allows vendors to immediately respond with a meeting request if they think they are the right fit.

Use your peer network. 

Just one happy hour can lead to a great partnership. Your professional peers understand the challenges you face and how they can be addressed, and they likely work with proven vendors they can recommend. As an added bonus, they can detail their experience and possibly share samples of their work.

Council members can tap into their peer networks on Council Connect, our members-only network. Post your vendor questions and get recommendations from other members.

Maintain your relationships by “keeping it real.”

Setting realistic expectations, on both sides, is an important part of building a healthy relationship with vendors. As the client, it’s on you to be realistic with turnaround times. A project that requires an overnight turnaround should be the exception not the rule. You should also acknowledge when you’re the one holding up the process and to allow flexibility with timelines.

As for vendors, it’s their responsibility to be upfront with you when it comes to billable hours and deadlines. Keeping you updated on contracted hours and how long a project will take helps build trust.

Think ahead and plan for the future.

Forecasting for the future is a good way to manage expectations. Regularly communicating priorities and anticipated future projects keeps everyone on the same page.

Take the time every three to four years to re-evaluate vendor relationships. Assess if the relationship is still fulfilling your requirements or if you’ve out-grown it. Best case scenario, you solidify that the vendor relationship. Worst case scenario, you change vendors. Either way, the end result should meet your organization’s priorities.

As you search for your next vendor, remember to plan ahead, keep it real, use your peers and rethink RFPs. Keep these tips in mind and feel free to reach out to the Council if you have any questions.[/vc_toggle]

Advocacy and PAC Conference Registrations Now Open!

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Celebrate Success, Submit an Award Nomination

[vc_single_image image=”113901″] [vc_btn title=”Advocacy Innovation Awards” color=”juicy-pink” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpac.org%2Fevents%2Fthe-advocacy-conference%2Finnovation-awards%2F||target:%20_blank|”][vc_btn title=”Outstanding PAC Awards” color=”juicy-pink” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpac.org%2Fevents%2Fpac-conference%2Fawards%2F||target:%20_blank|”]

ICYMI

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