Strategos Group Adds National Strategic Communications/Crisis Management Expert

Strategos Group was created in 2011 with a vision to create a high impact public policy partner who is focused on solving complex public challenges. In order to help us fulfill this vision, we are pleased to announce Bill Coletti has joined the firm to lead our Public Opinion Architecture practice area. Bill is not only a globally regarded expert in the fields of strategic communications and crisis management, he has been a friend of ours for more than 20 years. Please see Bill’s bio for more detailed information. Over the coming weeks we look forward to personally introducing you to Bill and his team.

Jimbo Diffuses Peanuts – Bill Coletti

While not a social change on par with boiling water in Peru or Iphone acceptance in the third world – FSU Coach Jimbo Fisher did create a minor stir in social media and caused at least one person to try it. For those that did not see the news, during a press conference Jimbo dropped peanuts into his diet coke bottle. According to one reporters research the idea is on the Coca Cola website and states “the first package of peanuts may have been poured into a glass bottle of Coke as early as the 1920s.”

So the point for our class is that an innovation started in the ’20s laid dormant for 90 years and in one afternoon and a series of tweets – it can become a new idea. The rate of adoption is certainly out of the norm of a typical adoption curve illustrated by Rogers. As we look at the 5 attributes – relative advantage, compatibly, complexity, trailability and observability – I wanted to score this innovation and see where it could go. But the lack of agreement on measurements tools left we with a data set of one.

BTW – the one person to try it was me. On a flight today I got a diet coke and bag of peanuts, dropped them in and …. innovation. Or soggy flavorless peanuts.
Additionally, the blog post I clipped from is well done – using good reporting and old clips from movies. I should try that.

Our Library for Success – Strategos Group

“A room without books is like a body without soul.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
At Strategos Group, we have soul.

Our soul is created through a culture of learning. We learn from each other and through our experiences. But we also learn through literature.

Below you will find a selection of books, hand picked by us, that we consider to be instrumental in individual and professional success. Enjoy!

The Art of War (512 B.C.) by: Sun Tzu
Of all the books on this list, few are as influential in shaping the way the world is today like Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. In only thirteen chapters some of the most significant aspects of warfare are explained in detail, with an emphasis on the importance of strategy. What is impressive is how significantly a book comprised of manuscripts from an ancient Chinese General still carries an impact on society today.

David and Goliath (2013) by: Malcolm Gladwell
In his fifth book, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell discusses the always-intriguing topic of the underdog. Examining numerous fields such as history, psychology and economics, Gladwell dives into the reasons why underdogs win, and the best way to overcome obstacles ourselves. Gladwell’s unique perspective and writing style provides insight into events that ordinarily wouldn’t be discussed, and creates an experience for the reader unlike any other.

Atlas Shrugged (1957) by: Ayn Rand
Considered to be one of the most important texts of the 20th century, Atlas Shrugged tells the story of a dystopian United States that falls into decay after an economic collapse. What makes this story so incredible is the numerous hot button topics it addresses, ranging from philosophy and economics to sexuality. Often considered Rand’s best work, this novel forces us to want to answer the question: “Who is John Galt?”

Profiles in Courage (1955) by: John F. Kennedy
It is no surprise that one of the most influential leaders in American history had a fascination with men of courage. In Profiles of Courage, Kennedy outlines eight stories of unsung heroics by American patriots at different points in United States history. As one reads this in today’s society, the mental connections to Kennedy’s character are noticeable. If one of the most courageous leaders in our history revered these heroes, shouldn’t we?

Mere Christianity (1952) by: C.S. Lewis
Many books have been written about Christianity, but no book so perfectly encompasses all that it means to be a member of the Christian faith like C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity. Adapted from a series of radio broadcasts during World War II, this classic of Christian apologetics provided hope for the people of Britain during a time where all hope seemed lost. The world may remember his fantasy literature best, but this is by far C.S. Lewis’s most significant work.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (2007) by: John C. Maxwell
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” -Proverbs 29:18
This passage from Proverbs reflects a truth about business: in order to be successful, there must be a leader. In the New York Times best selling book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C. Maxwell uncovers 21 laws that go hand in hand with leading other people. Each law he discusses is derived from his 40 years of experience in business leadership and is expertly communicated in a way that anyone can understand.

Crossing the Chasm (1991) by: Geoffrey A. Moore
We live in an incredible time where information rules above all. More specifically, those who control the information have the real power. In Crossing the Chasm, written at the beginning of the information age, Geoffrey Moore focuses on the specifics of marketing high tech products during the early start up period. What is most fascinating is that this text has carried over into the advanced technology expansions occurring today, further cementing its importance into 21st century business strategies.

Orbiting the Giant Hairball (1998) by: Gordon MacKenzie
Often times, start-ups forget the importance of creativity when they set out into the unknown landscape of the business world. In possibly the funniest book on this list, Gordon MacKenzie’s Orbiting the Giant Hairall seeks to remind entrepreneurs of the creativity that inspired them to go after their dreams in the first place. MacKenzie himself may be a creative genius, and this book is the ultimate proof of his talent containing complete illustrations of his entire career in full color.

Competitive Strategy (1998) by: Michael E. Porter
Considered to be one of the most influential business texts of a generation, Michael Porter’s Competitive Strategy perfectly reflects the most efficient routes one may take in order to best succeed in their field of business. Now translated into nineteen languages, Porter’s breakthrough book redefines business molding into a practice of simple strategies rather than one of complex avenues. Paired with his text Competitive Advantage, Porter provides any business the opportunity to further extend its reach of influence.

Every Good Endeavor (2012) by: Timothy Keller
It is often a struggle for men of faith to have a healthy view of work. Every Good Endeavor, written by Timothy Keller, breaks through all of it. Citing numerous passages of scripture, Keller aptly applies the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our careers and applies it with foundational instruction and compassion. Numerous books on religion and careers exist, but very few pair the two as separate parts of the same whole, which Keller accomplishes beautifully.

Uncommon Sense (2011) by: Stephen Palmer
Literature written by modern day authors is often missing one thing – a call to action. This is not the case with Stephen Palmer. In his book Uncommon Sense, Palmer challenges those who read it that in order to change the political landscape of the nation we call home, we must first change ourselves. In an age where blame is the answer to any problem, this text provides a refreshing set of solutions that one can actually accomplish in order to make our country greater for all of us.

Good to Great (2001) by: Jim Collins
Do you ever wonder how a company continues to be successful, even when it may not be that great of a company to begin with? A similar question plagued the mind of Jim Collins as he set out to discover just what it is that makes some companies good, and others great. To do this, Collins studied major corporations during the economic boom of the 1990’s and analyzed how and why these companies were successful, then sought to see if smaller businesses were attempting similar types of strategies to accomplish their goals. In Good to Great, Collins’ truly remarkable study on business ventures in the American economy is unlike anything that has ever been done before.

The Road to Serfdom (1944) by: Frederick von Hayek
Of all the books contributing to the study of economic decision-making, few show the negative impacts that many decisions can have like The Road to Serfdom. Written by economist and philosopher Friedrich von Hayek, this harshly worded text provides a grim look into what government involvement and negligence could possibly have on the people of a nation, which Hayek insists is a loss of freedom. Considered to be the 1984 of economic writing, this work is essential to anyone considering involvement in government advocacy.

Disruptive Innovation – Strategos Group

“If you want to see change, you sometimes have to disrupt what is currently there.” –Mike Leavitt

When great thinkers inspire great doers, real change is seen in the world. Not just change that we theoretically observe on charts and graphs, but change we can observe and apply in day-to-day life. Ultimately these changes benefit society because great thinkers have the foresight to see how and why innovative ideas make the world a better place.

When Clay Christensen, a professor at the Harvard Business School, was observing the trends businesses experience on the economic market, he noticed that in order to rise in rank, smaller corporations would provide simpler, cheaper products than that of major firms. A larger percentage of customers were attracted to the more affordable prices, creating more affluent companies with larger market share.

In an interview with the Harvard Business Review on March 30, 2012, Christensen identified two key industries that follow this trend: the computer industry and the automobile industry. In both cases, small technological innovations over time lead to more affordable products for the mainstream population. According to him, this theory of disruptive innovation “makes it so products are so much more affordable and accessible, that a much larger group of people could have access to it.”

This theory has proven to be true in fields of industry, but has yet to be tested in more philosophical professions like public affairs. Could areas such as government advocacy, business and transaction advisory, and public opinion architecture see drastic changes if disruptive innovation is implemented? We believe so.

Let’s take a look at an example where disruptive innovation is beginning to have an impact. As one of the first nations to actively pursue advancements in education reform, we’ve seen the advent of public schools, expansion of higher education, and an emphasis on learning as a primary way of life. In recent years, however, we have seen student fall behind in key areas of study, often referred to as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Legislators are now familiar with the issue and are actively putting measures in place to attempt to solve it. However, most of the suggestions and legislation being proposed are modifications to the current system.

This is where disruptive innovation comes into place. Rather than setting up legislation that would improve the quality of the schools already in place, the theory suggests that a gradual overhaul of the school system over time is necessary for actual change. The introduction and success of new schooling methods, such as charter schools and online educational options, will spread and eventually become the new standard in public education. And once that level of schooling is overhauled, the theory would suggest that a similar type of overhaul would occur within higher education and other levels of schooling.

If anything, the purpose of this theory is to observe how the gradually modification and expansion of businesses, industries and government programs will affect the entire system. As we continue into the 21st century, we are eager to see how the implementation of this theory affects the overall success of our clients, our country, and hopefully the world.

Organizing the Government Affairs Function for Impact

“Organizing the Government Affairs Function for Impact” (McKinsey Quarterly)…

…Implications on the best practice approach to contract government affairs
Strategos Group, July 2014

McKinsey & Co., the leader in strategy consulting for large businesses worldwide, recently published research on the wide disconnect between the strategic importance of the government affairs function to business competitiveness and earnings and the low-value organizational approach most corporations take when managing government affairs.

McKinsey evaluated the business value at stake of government affairs to be 30% of corporate earnings in most industries, higher in financial services. But, most companies bury these capabilities within a support function with limited visibility, budget and clout. Some companies separate government affairs and external communications, creating message dissonance within important regulatory audiences. Many executives shared their perspective that government affairs “exists in the shadows” making quantifying government affairs impact on the business difficult. Hardly a vote of confidence in status quo government affairs.

So what are McKinsey’s recommendations for regulated businesses and what are the lessons government affairs contractors should glean from this assessment?

McKinsey’s recommendations focus on organization structure, talent, intelligence, accountability systems and internal collaboration, encouraging companies to:

• Hire people with real economic analysis and stakeholder engagement skills, not just lobbyists and industry group organizers
• Adopt an account management approach that borrows from best-practice sales organizations to manage important external relationships
• Expect the government affairs function to be a key source of valuable intelligence for the entire organization
• Quantify the impact of government affairs regularly and link to performance measurement systems
• Ensure that the government affairs function collaborates to deliver value across all business operations for maximum impact

 

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McKinsey’s findings resonate powerfully with Strategos Group partners. During the design stage of the company, we sought to develop assets to compellingly differentiate Strategos value for clients. Our view is that, despite the enormous opportunity and risks at stake for regulated companies, the marketplace for contract government affairs services is populated by narrowly focused providers, many of which consistently underperform client needs and aspirations. That’s why our services platform goes far beyond narrow, tactical lobbying.

We leverage deep capabilities in three core areas — subject matter expertise, access and influence, organization and execution — to deliver on the three pillars of our client value proposition and “move the needle” in terms of business impact for clients:

• Strategic Government Advocacy strategy and execution at the federal, state and local level to provide the offense and defense clients require in a dynamic, high-stakes political and regulatory environment
• Business Transaction Advisory services which accelerate revenue growth and strategic business transactions which align compensation with results and grow client enterprise value
• Public Opinion Architecture services, managing and integrating client reputation with advocacy and transaction objectives to maximize impact, mitigate risks and deliver on government affairs ROI

At Strategos Group, we think McKinsey’s recommendations for emphasis on and organization of the internal government affairs function for business impact is spot-on and should apply equally to external government affairs partners — rich talent capable of communicating and impacting at the C-level, unique intelligence that strengthens competitive advantage and the courage to qualify results and own them just like our client sponsors.

McKinsey’s recommendations echo the “Strategos Way,” that hiring a lobbyist does not constitute organizing government affairs for success. Far from it. Companies need creative and comprehensive government affairs solutions from reliable, conflict-free business partners. That’s the Strategos DNA…