Government Affairs Is A Repeat Business

Government affairs is a 'repeat business.'  No, political consulting is not like watching the same episode of 'Friends' you've seen fifteen times.  Rather, in government affairs, you interact over and over again with the same folks, be they elected officials or staff.  First impressions are important, but so are relationships over time.

Remember to take the long-view when it comes to these interactions.  If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you promise to follow-up, follow-up. If you feel tempted to exaggerate a problem or a success, don't. If an elected/agency official and their staff can come - over time - to trust you and the information you provide, they will come to trust your organization.