Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 20 June 2007

What influences Parliamentarians?

"The most effective communications tools for convincing government are direct, active engagement and the provision of timely and accurate data. … Failing to understand how government processes work and being too overt in your approach are their two biggest bugbears. Understanding the 'game' and being subtle, friendly and armed with solutions will have significantly greater influence."
(Australian Political Influence Survey [PDF]. Parker and Partners. March 2005)

This 12 page booklet - Australian Political Influence Survey - explores the difference between what is highly influential to a politician's thinking, and what is merely 'influential'.

What are the ten biggest mistakes people make when meeting parliamentarians?

1. Raising problems without solutions
2. Lack of local electorate focus
3. Watch the clock!
4. Providing too much detail, too soon
5. Be clear in your mind about what outcome you want from the meeting
6. Being too demanding or too pushy
7. Know your facts! And be prepared for questions
8. Raising an issue too late in the policy cycle
9. Misdirected or badly targeted (is the problem really the responsibility of the Commonwealth?)
10. Failure to follow up

(This list is based on a survey of federal parliamentarians. The survey was conducted by David Kindon, head of the Canberra-based public relations firm Client Solutions.)