Business owners and managers may believe they’re too busy running their businesses to get involved with public policy, but that’s flawed thinking. Participating in the political process not only helps the business community but also helps legislators understand how their votes impact people and jobs. Because the 2013 General Assembly is just around the corner, several Kentucky lobbyists are offering their best tips to help businesses work with legislators.
Tod Griffin: president, Kentucky Retail Federation
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The best advice I can give is to participate, because the old cliché is true: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. That doesn’t mean you have to spend hours every day. It means finding reliable sources for information about issues that impact your bottom line. We provide our members with weekly updates on the most pressing business issues being considered by the General Assembly and our staff regularly Tweets and Facebooks. Each update takes minutes to read, but members know how legislation could impact their business. And, when necessary, they can call their legislators about a bill.
Bob Babbage: national managing partner, Babbage Cofounder
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As in business, be strategic. And be authentic. Share a story about what you do. Facts can be argued — not stories. Stories stick and get repeated. Lend a distinctive voice, then stay with the conversation over time. You’ll stand out.
In the Public Affairs Checklist that we give away to civic, charitable and non-government CEOs and boards, a key is: adopt a decision maker, then giving them context, perspective and good ideas. Call it lobbying, or advocacy. Basically, it’s sales combined with support.
Kelly Stevens Shasky: government relations consultant
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Public officials hear a daily chorus from a wide range of individuals and entities who have personal agendas, ideas on social issues or business concerns. Three ways to stand out from the crowd are to:
1. Build and maintain good personal rapport and credibility with elected and appointed officials, as well as their staffs;
2. Use verifiable/specific facts when communicating with a public official on a particular bill or issue that could affect your organization; and
3. Communicate with consistency, courtesy and consideration for the overall duties of those officials.
Tom Underwood: National federation of independent businesses / KY state director, Kentucky Small Business Caucus chair
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Like everything else, personal relationships rule. Above all, reach out and get to know who is voting on your behalf in Frankfort. My tips:
1. Invite your state legislators to your business to see what you do and meet your employees. Take high-resolution photos of the elected official meeting your employees and submit it with a press release to the local paper. When the story comes out, clip it out and send it to the legislator with a note of appreciation.
2. Be a resource. Having a trusted source of information is invaluable to legislators.
3. Be a friend year-round.
4. Get involved. If your legislator has been a valuable asset to your business and your community, involve yourself in the next campaign.
5. Be positive. If it is clear that you cannot reach agreement on an issue, agree to disagree. There is always either another issue, or another election.
Bryan Sunderland: vice president of public affairs, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
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I often remind business leaders they are the most effective advocate for their issues. For those who know their legislator personally, I suggest being direct and explaining their issue in a very personal way — letting them know how it will impact real people. For those who aren’t as familiar, I always encourage them to not be afraid to pick up the phone. Legislators get their best ideas and information from their constituents back home.
Above all, I encourage people to communicate with their officials. It matters.
Tony Sholar: partner, The Rotunda Group
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Politics is a participatory process. If you’re not involved, somebody else will be, and they may not have your best interest at heart. Get to know your state legislators. If you don’t know who they are, call the Secretary of State’s office or visit the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) web page. Bookmark the LRC webpage to follow bills you’re interested in.
Invite your legislators out for coffee so you can get to know each other. Tell them about your business and offer to be a resource. Also, consider making a small contribution (less than $50) as a show of support if a legislator supports bills you support, but don’t expect anything in return.
Judy Taylor: government relations consultant
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1. Tell the truth.
2. Don’t burn bridges.
3. Don’t blindside legislators.
4. Stick to the issues you are supposed to be representing and keep your nose out of issues that don’t concern your clients.
5. Don’t get stuck on one solution to a problem. Someone else may be able to come up with a different solution and still solve your problem.
6. Be courteous to legislators and other lobbyists.
7. Have a sense of humor.
8. Treat the staffs of leadership and the LRC with respect.
9. Don’t take opposition personally.
Mary Hemlepp, APR, is a marketing communications consultant. Reach her at mary@maryhemlepp.com.