Winning the Influence Game

In today's new economy, business leaders are increasingly aware that government laws and regulations can determine the very viability of their businesses. The same Constitution that sets limits on government power and protects individual rights also gives federal, state, and local governments the authority to make the rules under which your business must operate. Make no mistake-the key to your business's survival could depend on your ability to influence the officials who make and enforce the rules of the game. Winning the Influence Game is your must-have guide to navigating the morass of competing, overlapping jurisdictions and diverse legislators, regulators, and judges so you can help to shape the laws and rules that will affect your success. Here, a crackerjack author team from Harvard Business School and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government-who have access to the key players on this issue-reveal the latest tools, techniques, and thinking behind influencing government so businesses can take control. This timely book presents a model that can be applied to influence games at any level of government-local, state, national, or international. From diagnosing government's impact on your business to organizing to influence to building coalitions to leveraging the power of the Internet, the authors provide specific guidelines and real-world strategies that will work for all types of businesses. Winning the Influence Game also shares actual stories of successes and failures from recognized leaders in the field of government relations, including: Washington representatives of leading companies like Pfizer and International Paper Leading professional lobbyists and consultants CEOs who have been active in government relations such as Vice President Dick Cheney (formerly of Haliburton) and Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill (formerly of Alcoa) Officials in legislative and executive branches, including the lead counsel for the Senate Banking Committee Don't be a victim of damaging laws-play the game to win. And exercise your rights before someone else changes the rules.