Showalter Group
Government relations staff development, Evaluation & Metrics
a valuable resource to organizations that want to improve their PAC and grassroots effectiveness
What We Do:
Government Relations Staff Development, Evaluation & Metrics
National Association and Non-Profit Staff Development
For the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), we designed and delivered a series of state advocacy staff development workshops. We benchmarked the most effective advocates and state chapters, and used that information to reverse-engineer a full-day training workshop that resulted in motivated, empowered staff.
For the American Heart Association, we evaluated existing grassroots recruitment and motivation strategies. We then designed workshops that resulted in a shift from a focus on quantity to emphasize quality grassroots advocate recruitment and motivation. The project was cited by management as “changing our volunteer management culture.” The organization has embraced a new volunteer management structure in alignment with the new quality focus.
For the American Farm Bureau Federation, we have conducted workshops for their state chapter staff on how to use persuasive narrative in stories, as well as our Fortune “Power 25” benchmarking workshop, and content on our proprietary research that reveals why quality advocates burn out and how to prevent them from leaving grassroots programs.
The National Restaurant Association hired us to conduct several workshops with their state association staff to help them integrate numerous fundraising and issue management influence techniques. We also conducted an Influence Audit of their existing issue campaigns with recommendations to maximize their influence potential.
“Amy received perfect ratings from our staff. She put the time and effort into understanding our organization and our needs before the session and then had an energy level that kept everyone motivated to learn.”understanding our organization and our needs before the session and then had an energy level that kept everyone motivated to learn.”
Association Influence Quotient Audit and Issue Management
The National Restaurant Association hired us to conduct several workshops with their state association staff to help them integrate numerous fundraising and issue management influence techniques. We also conducted an Influence Audit of their existing issue campaigns with recommendations to maximize their influence potential.
“Amy and Kelton’s work was fantastic. The combination of their Influence Audit process and dynamic workshops (in fact, our members are still quoting Kelton’s advice) enabled us to better frame our issues, and gives us an opportunity to be more proactive on future issues. We could tell our members’ eyes were opened during this process — they now think more strategically with a long-term view.”
Coaching for Public Affairs Staff
Many of our consulting collaborations also evolve into coaching arrangements. However, we also provide specific coaching services for government relations professionals. We have coached individuals on how to deliver compelling presentations, which have resulted in more budget dollars and staff, how to manage time and resources, and also how to align their activities with their highest priority outcomes.
“Amy’s thorough and thoughtful approach to coaching enabled me to deliver a major presentation with great success and high impact results. Amy challenged me to highlight key points with proven techniques instead of just saying words. I’ve never delivered a presentation with so much confidence and credibility. Now, I have unprecedented support for my strategic plan and am working to build a movement within our grassroots program.”
National Non-Profit Advocacy and Government Relations Staff Development
For the American Heart Association, we evaluated existing grassroots recruitment and motivation strategies. We then designed workshops that resulted in a shift from a focus on quantity to emphasize quality grassroots advocate recruitment and motivation. The project was cited by management as “changing our volunteer management culture.” The organization has embraced a new volunteer management structure in alignment with the new quality focus.
For the American Farm Bureau Federation, we delivered our research-based Fortune “Power 25” benchmarking workshop to their State Membership Directors. We also conducted a workshop based on another of our proprietary research projects that reveals why quality advocates burn out and how to prevent them from leaving grassroots programs. Several of the state bureau’s now have a plan to reinvigorate their grassroots networks.
For the American Chemical Council, we delivered a workshop for their member company lobbyists on how to use the science of influence to ethically persuade legislators and coalition partners. These professional lobbyists now have even more influence tools to persuade legislators.
“I learned how to approach someone who may be opposed to our issue and turn them around. Amy is knowledgeable, credible and likeable.”
“The scientific information on why so many people rely on what others are thinking before making a decision was very valuable. I will use this information to lobby more effectively.”
For the Advocacy Managers of the National Audubon Society, we delivered Myers-Briggs (MBTI) analysis, presentation skills training, oral narrative development, and advocate recruitment training. The staff is now more confident, motivated, and they have a recruiting focus in concert with the organization’s grassroots priorities.
“This represented the first time our organization ever achieved this type of attention from candidates during campaign season. Best of all, we did it through real people, thus enhancing our credibility with candidates and lawmakers.”