As a key influencer and co-founder of Tanck, Angus Crowther brings a wealth of expertise on engaging governments to help deliver charitable missions.
Recently, Angus shared his insights on the Purposely, providing invaluable advice for leaders of social sector organisations. His approach is both strategic and practical, making it essential listening for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of government engagement.
Angus emphasises the importance of viewing government as a partner rather than an adversary. He notes that many charitable organisations take a combative approach, which can be counterproductive. Instead, he advocates for building strong, positive relationships with government officials, public servants, and quasi-government organisations. This partnership approach is crucial for achieving funding, policy change, and legislative support.
Angus outlines several effective strategies for engaging with government:
Develop a bespoke strategy tailored to your organisation's needs and the specific government stakeholders you are targeting.
Focus on building relationships not just with the government, but also with the opposition and public servants.
Consistently communicate your message and be assertive, yet not aggressive, in your approach.
Utilise your organisation's connections to the community to support interactions with politicians.
One of the key takeaways from Angus's interview is the need for clarity and consistency in messaging. Organisations should articulate their objectives clearly and ensure they are aligned across all levels of engagement. This includes having a unified message when working as part of a coalition and avoiding mixed signals that can undermine your cause.
Angus also highlights some common pitfalls to avoid:
Relying on lobbyists, which can be expensive and often ineffective for the nuanced issues of the social sector.
Being overly aggressive in your approach, which can alienate potential allies and lead to long-term setbacks.
Failing to follow up on initial meetings and engagements, which can diminish your impact and visibility.
Throughout the podcast, Angus shares success stories and practical tips from his extensive experience. One notable example is his work with an early year’s organisation, where creative leave-behinds like a jar of honey helped to cement their message with political stakeholders. He also discusses the importance of preparing tailored materials that speak to the specific interests and ideologies of the stakeholders you are engaging with.
For a deeper dive into Angus Crowther's insights on effective government engagement, listen to the full interview on the Purposely Podcast. Whether you're a leader of a non-profit, an NGO, or a purpose-led business, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can help you build stronger partnerships with government and achieve your mission.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in the field. Tune in and discover how you can leverage government engagement to drive positive social and environmental impact.
Angus has been on Purposely Podcast before, previously with Tanck co-founder Neil Pharoah and together they have been helping charitable and ‘for purpose’ organisations successfully engagement Governments since February 2021.
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