Session 1

Introduction to Effective Government Relations   

• What is Effective PR in the 24/7/365 ‘Social’ Age?
• What is effective Government Relations?
• The Business Case for Government Relations
• Discussion: How important is government to your business?
• Ethics and Principles
• How to conduct Government Relations with integrity?
• Legal Aspects
• Reputation Risk
• Reputation Management
• Trends 

Session 2

Political Risk Analysis and Mitigation

• Introduction to Political Risk
• Stakeholders: Agendas and Drivers
  • Personality Types
  • Learning & Communication Styles
• Analysing Political Risk
• Global Issues and Trends
• Strategies for Mitigating Political Risk

Session 3

Effective Applications of Government Relations

      New Opportunities

• New Country Entry
• Expanding Existing Operations
• Mergers and Acquisition

     Build and Strengthen Reputation

• Stakeholder Mapping
• Creating & Maintaining  Sustainable Relations with Governments and Communities

     Managing Change 

• The Change Equation
• Advocacy and Lobbying
• Understanding Government Stakeholder Agendas and Drivers
• Building a Case for Change

    Resolving Disputes

• Business Diplomacy
• Resolving Disputes with Government, Local Communities and other Stakeholders
• Conducting Due Diligence
• Creating Win-Win Solutions

Session 4

The Government Relations Toolbox

• Strategies and Plans
• Elements of a Government Relations Strategy
• Implementation

• Monitoring Results and Assessing Performance


   Tools and Tactics

• High Level Engagement
• Engaging in the Policy Debate

• Joining Forces with Others

• When Things Go Wrong


   Synergy with other Functions 

• Tax
- Role of Media including Social Media
• Role of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Public Relations


   Organisation 

• Where does Government Relations fit in the company’s org chart?
• What does a fit-for-purpose Government Relations department look like?
• Skills and Experience of Government Relations Managers

Session 5 

The Government Relations Case Study

This day will allow attendees to bring their Government Relations expertise to bear on a realistic scenario.  Attendees will have the opportunity to put into practice a range of Government Relations strategies and tools.  They will be able to experience the impact of these in a fictional but realistic scenario.

    Lesson 1

• Case Study Introduction
• Risk Analysis
• Stakeholder Mapping
  • Decision-Making
  • Influence Matrices
• Government Relations Strategy

    Lesson 2

• Building the License to Operate
• Implementing the Strategy
• Managing Expectations
• Alignment with the Government
• First Signs of Trouble

    Lesson 3

• Political Instability
• Strikes and Protests
• New Opportunities
• New Partnerships

    Concluding Discussion

• What does excellence in Government Relations look like?
• Lessons Learned and Conclusion
• Q&A

End of the Workshop