Lessons from EmailGate

A good friend of mine wrote a great article on the cyber security lessons of Hillary's EmailGate.

Here's the public perception lesson -

You can't run for president and appeal to voters young and old if you act like the old.

What do I mean?

• Ask the average 60 year old how they view Hillary's excuse of having difficulty with multiple devices and they will likely go with it
• Ask the average 40 year old, and they are likely to be carrying 2 devices on them
• Ask the average 30 year old if they can manage 2 email accounts and they will tell you they have several, but rely more on various social media platforms all linked into the same smart phone
• Ask the average 25 year old and they will tell you that they find better communication through apps that chances are you havent heard from
• Ask the average 18 year old and they are going to speak in a language you will need translated

Hillary's answer appealed to only 1 group.  And what is their answer?  Vote Warren.

That simple thing caused younger Democrats to start looking elsewhere.  Not necessarily the scandal, or the lost emails, or any of that - it was that they were looking at someone who used too-much technology as an excuse.  Something they can't relate to.

Obama on the other hand has adopted multiple social media platforms, and even gone on obscure internet shows - like "Between Two Ferns" - to make sure his appeal stretches beyond just traditional bases.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama from Funny Or Die

Now obviously there are many reasons that people choose to vote for a presidential candidate.  However this very well could be Hillary's Dukakis in a Tank moment -



The question is, are the messages you are sending making you look like Dukakis in a tank, or Obama on Between Two Ferns?

GA Strategies in March

Coming up in March, we will be heading a number of different places -

- Upstate New York
- Las Vegas, NV
- Washington D.C.
- Prescott Az

Connect with us if you are around

Intent and Reception

One of the biggest challenges anyone faces is how is what they are going to be received.

Let's take a look at a very clear example of this -

Valentines Day

The intent is to encourage everyone to appreciate the love in their lives.

The reception however may not match up.

Many women resent the holiday because it minimizes the need for love the other 364 days of the year.

Many men resent the holiday because it forces them to spend unnecessarily for items that are completely superfluous.

Both are missing the intent.

If you hate the holiday - as many do - make up for it by showing the sentiment year round.

If you love the holiday - make sure your expression of it doesn't drive others away.

Similarly look at your OWN intention and reception.

Is what you are doing / saying / promotion / selling / etc. being seen by those on the other end the way you intend for them to receive it?  If not, is it something you can change?

The key to successful organizations is being aware of their communications.  You will never please everyone, but its better to make sure those you are pleasing are able to spread your message without running into a negative reception on the other end.

Stepping up YOUR game

Congressional Quarterly just released several interesting reports examining the 2014 election cycle.

Associations: 5 Big Movers from CQ Roll Call

The goal is examining what associations have fundamentally advanced their political efforts (combining lobbying and PAC spending).  The National Association of REALTORS topped their list (REALTORS also topped the CQ list of PAC fundraising and spending)

Government Affairs Strategies, LLC has been pleased to be part of the team that helped make this a reality for the past 5 years.  We know the hard work and dedication that went into this success.

So what would it mean to take YOURS organization to this level? It comes down to several key things -

1) Commitment - this took many years, a lot of time, and a great deal of money. The results are clear, but to get there you must be ready to commit. We've also worked with organizations that weren't ready to commit, and their results are also clear. So look internally and ask if you are ready to implement the necessary strategies and steps to succeed.

2) Awareness - the REALTORS have always been strong. Where they are today however took a realization that a) the game has changed, and b) they need to make fundamental changes to remain strong. They were also aware that there was a lot they didn't know - even about their own oeganization and members - so they assembled the right team to figure it out.

3) Ever-growing goals - You can not rest on your laurels. If you do, it gives everyone a chance to catch up, or worse - surpass you. By setting attainable yet challenging goals that evolve, you are able to stay ahead of the curve.

4) The RIGHT team - all the plans and goals you make are pointless if you don't have a good team behind them making sure those plans and goals are accomplished. Get the right volunteers, the right members, the right staff and the right consultants in place. Build the needed resources. Empower everyone to succeed.

We've been honored to help drive the REALTORS to success. It truly has been a great experience. 

-- oh, and by the way, we know what's in store for the future there... And you ain't seen NOTHIN' yet!

Half a month to get back to it?

So turns out we took a bit of time off around the holidays. Why? Because this was the kind of year that dictated it.

Which means we had a lot of catching up to do the past few weeks. A lot.  Which requires a lot of attention.

So now that we are back I even keel for the year, what's next?

Well we are dividing the big projects first -

- new website

- new systems

- new clients

And we are focusing on our core successes -

- strategic planning

- public affairs development

- PAC fundraising success

And just like we have repeated over and over through the last few years - 

We are developing a very precise strategic plan. 

We know where our success will be. What are you doing to ensure yours?