Winning the influence game: What Every Business Leader Should Know about Government - Hardcover

Play the game to win "More and more CEOs are discovering that managing one's business environment is as important as managing operations, finance, and sales. Winning the Influence Game explains how a strategic government relations program can make a major impact on that environment at the federal, state, and local levels."-Douglas G. Pinkham, President, Public Affairs Council "A useful, detailed handbook that should find itself on the desktop-or at the bedside-of every business leader. These are the skills that every business leader needs to succeed in the increasingly complex and rapidly changing globalized economy in which they operate-and to gain competitive advantage for their company's future."-Ira Jackson, Director, Center for Business and Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government "Winning the Influence Game provides an excellent overview for the corporate leader of how government can impact the bottom line-both positively and negatively. The clear, concise, and practical manner in which the book is organized and information provided makes it an extremely useful resource to those charged with the responsibility of creating an effective government relations program." -Margery Kraus, President and CEO, APCO Worldwide

In todays 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 mistakethe key to your businesss 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 Harvards Kennedy School of Governmentwho have access to the key players on this issuereveal 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 governmentlocal, state, national, or international. From diagnosing governments 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 ONeill (formerly of Alcoa)
• Officials in legislative and executive branches, including the lead counsel for the Senate Banking Committee

Dont be a victim of damaging lawsplay the game to win. And exercise your rights before someone else changes the rules.