The Roots of Success Winter 2008 - Volume 10 - Issue 1 Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved, The Showalter Group, Inc. Reproduction or redistribution without permission is strictly prohibited To read an html copy of this newsletter go to: http://www.showaltergroup.com/newsandtips/newsletter_jan2008.php ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2007 All-Showalter Team Since I'm still leaning forward in my seat taking notes, these individuals have all taught me something new this year. Thanks to all of you - you inspire me! It’s that time of year again, to announce the 2007 All-Showalter Team. The All-Showalter Team is comprised of political involvement professionals who embody one or more necessary qualities of a political involvement avatar. A few individuals are previous Team members from a different category, yet they exemplify additional traits necessary for government relations success. Attention to Detail - Many of us are adequate self-starters; however, we have to be excellent self-finishers. The road to achievement in government relations is riddled with incomplete projects and loose ends. How many projects, initiatives or programs are lying on the shelves, or “in process?” While it’s good for some of them to stay on the shelf, it’s not a bad practice of getting in the habit of finishing what you start. Wendy Schrag, Curiosity/Innovation - Because grassroots activism is not a natural state of being, the astute grassroots leader knows that they always have to find new and innovative ways to get people engaged in their cause. Continuously asking questions as to why something is the way it is, or how it can be made better, is the essence of curiosity, and leads to innovation. Kelly Benedetti Focus on Results - Focus creates efficiency. It allows us to ascertain whether or not a particular action will help us move toward our goal. Focus reminds you that if something is not helping you move toward your destination, then it’s not important. Less successful people are inflexible on outputs, deliverables, etc., but are flexible on their results. Successful people are inflexible on the results, but are flexible in how they get there. Jonathan Eisen Humor - The key is to take your responsibilities, but not yourself, too seriously. Everything must be kept in perspective. A sense of humor is appealing to PAC and grassroots members. Chris Brown Risk Taking - Following the herd is rarely a recipe for success. Risky pursuits in one organization may be common practice in another, but if you are not making waves, you’re not accomplishing anything. What have you changed or altered from the “usual way of doing things around here?” Brian Pallasch Jot Condie Passion - The best grassroots and PAC leaders love what they do. While not everyday is bliss, they generally go to work with a sense of mission and belief in their cause. Chris Kemm Planning/Goal Setting - Ad hoc PAC and grassroots efforts are rarely successful. Further, lack of planning and goal setting results in a lack of program momentum. Planning and goal setting increases the likelihood that your efforts will result in an organized, results-oriented program. Clarissa Garcia Presentation Skills - To rally the troops for any cause, you have to speak! Preferably, your presentations are an experience, rather than just a transfer of knowledge. Amanda Sima Organization - Juggling multiple projects and initiatives is a constant challenge. The organized government relations professional keeps it all together. The result is a program with momentum and efficiency. John Ferruggiaro What a stellar combination of talents and skills! Congratulations to the members of the sixth annual All-Showalter Team.
Copyright 2007-2008, The Showalter Group, Inc.
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Positioning Yourself to Become Your Organization’s Political Involvement Guru Part Two In our September issue, we reviewed how obtaining internal guruship status can catapult your organizational reputation and career. To review, the necessary behaviors are: 1. Specialize Read part one here: http://www.showaltergroup.com/newsandtips/newsletter_september2007.php#guru As promised, here are the remaining steps to becoming your organization’s political involvement guru. 4. Contribute Intellectual Capital I secretly marveled at the comment during a conference planning meeting a couple of years ago. A political involvement professional was exasperated because she was not asked to speak at various conferences. “We are the experts, we are the ones that need to have a platform, I do not understand why it is not happening,” she exclaimed. While I shared her concern, I knew for a fact this person has not authored any published articles, and that while she has been active in various professional networking groups, she has not contributed any intellectual capital to the profession. Besides a few contributions to a list serve, there was no “there” there. 5. Advertise This is an anathema to a lot of people, but you simply have to be known. You may be the world’s leading expert on PAC match, but no one in your company will find out if you hide behind your computer. In a noisy world of hyper abundant content, the “my work will speak for itself” philosophy does not work very well. After all, the goal of being a guru is to get others to come to you rather than to shove yourself in other’s faces. 6. Your Track Record Everyone can claim the benefits of their approach. Quite simply, benefits can be copied. Your track record, however, cannot be copied. So, it’s fine to mention the benefits you can bring to your organization, but anyone else can claim that they can bring the same kind of benefits. Your track record however, is not reproducible. Your life experience cannot be taken by anyone else. Another reason your track record is important is because we tend to assume that the number of years doing something instantly and without question equals expertise. I am frankly unimpressed when someone tells me they have “15 years of experience doing blah, blah, and blah.” Let’s face it: anyone born after 1975 has lots of years of experience doing something. When I hear that, I instantly think: “So what? What if it’s 15 years of bad experience?” There are lots of experienced people who are just ghastly at their jobs. 7. Insight, Rather Than Just Facts Having the facts about what other groups are doing and how things work is not being a strategist. However, providing insight as to why things are happening and interpreting how that applies to your situation is valuable. You want to push people a little bit and to cause them to rethink things just a bit. I know there are cultural restrictions and limitations in some organizations relative to this habit, but being original is far better than being a “yes” man or woman. 8. A Servant Attitude Every organization has its fake gurus, the resident know it all, diva, or prima donna who hoards information, takes credit for things that they do not do, self promote and is a carrier of stress to all those around him or her. The true guru gives it away. Seek to serve. All of the above behaviors help build your brand. Brands are just trust markers. They allow your co-workers to not have to think about what something means. So when someone mentions your name in the organization, what do they think of relative to your work habits, product, and quality? If you do not know, ask others. Amyism #37
Copyright 2007-2008, The Showalter Group, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Innovate to Motivate 2008, February 11-14, Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studio Orlando Maintaining our reputation for innovation, our 2008 conference has over 30 workshop offerings, and almost half are new topics to I2M! As a Co-Founder of Innovate to Motivate, our mission is in part to “motivate the motivators.” It’s not for everyone. It’s for those who are serious about professional and personal excellence. We will address common challenges faced by PAC and grassroots professionals, as well as our signature workshops on the science of influence; we have added an additional influence workshop on how to help your members resist the influence of opposing groups. We’ve also secured Otis Williams, CSP, who will deliver a fantastic keynote on how to stay motivated in challenging times. Here is what motivational speaker Les Brown says about Otis: "I've heard speakers all across the country. Otis Williams ranks at the top among the best I've heard in my career as a speaker. His level of rapport with the audience, impeccable presentation style, energy, and substance of message are superb. He mesmerizes the audience. Watching him speak is a life-changing experience." Join with other grassroots and PAC professionals who are committed to professional and personal development by attending Innovate to Motivate 2008. This year our Co-Chairs are Meaghan Killion of International Paper and Patroski Lawson of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. I2M is known for our highly interactive workshops, a rigorous professional development curriculum and workshops on the science of influence. What do the most progressive government affairs professionals think about I2M? Click here to read more: http://innovatetomotivate.com/html/_saying.htm Visit http://www.innovatetomotivate.com to register today. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscriber Information This free newsletter is designed to provide beneficial information for those involved in leading grassroots and PAC change. The email list was not purchased. The list is made up of people visiting/registering at our web site and asking for more information, personal contacts, and our speaking audience members. We will not willfully disclose your email address to any outside party without your consent. To continue receiving the ROOTS OF SUCCESS simply watch your email box for the next issue. If you do not wish to receive future issues of the ROOTS OF SUCCESS, click to send an email to UNSUBSCRIBE@showaltergroup.com. Please forward this email to others that may benefit. If you have received a forwarded copy, click here to register to receive direct copies in the future. This material is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Contact us for rights and guidelines to use this material in trade publications, newsletters, or on your Intranet. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Showalter Group 513-762-7668 http://www.showaltergroup.com
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