Understanding Where You Are

Monday's Inauguration of our 44th President for his second term came with one very interesting moment for everyone.

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President Obama Looks at Inauguration 'One More Time' | Video - ABC News

Appreciate the moment you are in.  You will never get to be there again.

Not Girlfriends, Not Doping and Not the Bad Guy

This week we had some excellent examples of bad press and bad communications.

First, Manti Te'o and the much beleaguered story behind his not-dead not-girlfriend. 

 

If you haven't already read the Deadspin article, please do.  It is a beautiful example of the type of fact checking and reporting that failed this entire story in the first place.

However the story continues to spin wildly out of control.  Somewhere in there the web of lies started to spin, and because of his spotlight... spun beyond his ability to control.  Even beyond the University of Notre Dame to control.  And now even beyond Creative Artists Agency to control.

Sounds insane that the best spin doctors on earth couldn't contain this.  But it comes down to three simple problems, either:

1. Te'o was completely taken, and for 3+ years never thought to visit a dying "girlfriend"
2. Te'o and Notre Dame were spinning a story for an ever-hungry media, or
3. Te'o was in on it.

Here's the thing.  The result is going to be that Manti Te'o will go from a guaranteed first round pick in the NFL draft to a questionable status.  This will cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions each year because he lost control.  Ask Vontaze Burfict about how that feels.

How could he have done it better - Own it from the beginning.

If Te'o was a pure victim of a hoax it makes him look gullible, naive... and odd for never once meeting a girl when he had every opportunity to do so.

If Te'o crafted the story, it goes down with legendary lore, and covering it up makes him a liar.

If he was in on it... it could be said that it was a silly college prank that went beyond his control.  He would have owned it, and we all could have understood.  Instead he looks either naive or dishonest.

Next... Lance.  How could we skip over Lance?  The same way he hoped everyone else would.  By paying attention to Manti Te'o.

One major difference.  Lance is owning his situation.  In the most carefully scripted and crafted presentations possible, Lance began his redemption climb with the best possible starting point -  Oprah.  

You can view it HERE.

Whether or not he did it, said he's sorry, or is a good or bad person does not matter.

I repeat - IT DOES NOT MATTER

That isn't to say what he did was right.  It wasn't.  However it's a new discussion today.

Because now he is on the comeback trail.  He has many steps to make, and done well he will be back to the pinnacle of sports.  And anyone who continues to hold him back is going to be the bad guy.

The one thing that you can count on is there is one story American's love more than a Riches to Rags story.

It's the Return to Glory story.

See you on a Triathlon podium soon Lance.

And oh, USADA, you are pretty righteous now, you "caught the bad guy."  

But if you don't control the message and get ahead of it - You're gonna be the bad guy!

Consider yourselves on notice!

What Lays Ahead in 2013?

Winston Churchill once said -

"The Empires of the future, are the empires of the mind"

This year provides us all an opportunity to create our empire. Which begs only one question, what is yours?

Do you need to advance public policy?  Seize the moment now.

Do you need to build your PAC? The investments begin today.

Do you need to enhance your political presence in the community?  What are you waiting for.

No one will do it for you.  Your adversaries aren't going to wait.  Your thoughts are only good when put into action.

So get out there and build the empire in your mind.

A Year In Review

2012 brought us many different challenges. Opportunities.  Great advancements. And new lessons learned.

We were featured speakers at four national conferences -

The Association Executives Institute sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS(R) was held in Lexington Kentucky where Government Affairs Strategies spoke about developing a business plan for addressing your government affairs plans.

In June we spoke at the American Society of Association Executives Government Relations Symposium.

There we gave a presentation on strategic planning for government affairs and how to advance your program.

In July we spoke at the National Association of REALTORS(R) Government Affairs Institute in Tahoe Nevada where we provided Government Affairs professionals with insight into how to expand your presence in your community.

Finally in August we were invited by the National Apartment Association to discuss PAC fundraising at the Government Affairs Roundtables and Legal Symposium in Santa Monica CA.

Additionally we gave local and state presentations in more than half the states in the US this year.  And a few territories!

Want to know how Government Affairs Strategies can help you?  Contact us and we would be happy to show you how.

GA Strategies in January?

Where will GA Strategies be in January?

7-10 - Las Vegas, NV - Chip
8-11 - Honolulu, HI - Bryan
9 - Harrisburg, PA - Meredith
14-15 - Phoenix, AZ - Chip
14-15 - Jefferson City, MO - Bryan
21-23 - Springfield, MO - Bryan
23 - Monterey, CA - Chip
23-24 - Memphis, TN - Bryan
24-25 - Albuquerque and Sante Fe, NM - Chip
27-2/1 - Washington D.C., Chip, Bryan and Meredith

If you'd like to get together, let us know how we can meet with you!