IAS Launches Virtual Advocacy Service: A New Tool For Small Business and Trade Associations

Jan. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, DC – January 7, 2011 - International Advisory Services Group, Ltd. today announced a new service to trade associations and ad hoc coalitions.  Called IAS Virtual Advocacy℠, the service is intended to enable smaller business entities to participate effectively in the policy-making process in Washington.



Charles Blum, founder and president of IAS, said that IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ will make it possible for “individual companies, smaller trade associations and ad hoc groups can streamline the process of educating themselves, reaching joint decisions, and delivering messages to government officials and the media.”  He added:  “That will help level the playing field which is now heavily tilted in favor of larger players whose interests often diverge from other domestic producers.”



Virtual Advocacy uses electronic connections to obviate the need for participants to meet physically in a single location, reduces the cost for all involved and eases scheduling conflicts, permitting the broadest possible participation. By creating an alternative to rigidly scheduled meetings, IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ allows for discussions of critical issues on short notice.  The result is more effective participation in the public policy process at a reduced cost.



IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ is backed by staff expertise in a wide range of public policy issues, including national competitiveness strategies, trade, currency, tax, infrastructure and energy.   Blum noted: “This new service can be used for education and decision-making as well as message delivery.  It’s both effective and efficient.”



Since its founding in 1988, IAS has served clients, primary in the manufacturing sector, on a range of issues impacting their global competitiveness.  Its advocacy work is notable for its energy, creativity and solid substantive grounding.  Its work for one client was recognized by the American Society of Association Executives in one of its annual awards for outstanding advocacy campaigns.



A more detailed description of IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ services is attached. Additional information on the IAS Group can be found at http://www.iasworldtrade.com.



Contact

Charles Blum

1.202.904.2475

iasg@erols.com





IAS VIRTUAL ADVOCACY℠:

DOING MORE WITH LESS


If you've ever crossed the country to attend a meeting of just a few hours, you understand the cost in terms of time and money.  Thanks to technological advances, it is now possible to mount an effective government relations program at a substantially deduced cost.  Using "GoToMeeting" or a similar service, individual companies, smaller trade associations and ad hoc groups can streamline the process of educating themselves, reaching joint decisions, and delivering messages to government officials and the media.  IAS has developed the concept of "Virtual Advocacy" to encompass all of those functions.



By connecting electronically, the IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ approach obviates the need for participants to meet physically in a single location.  That reduces the cost for all involved and eases scheduling conflicts, permitting the broadest possible participation. Moreover, by creating an alternative to rigidly scheduled meetings, IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ allows for discussions of critical issues on short notice.  The result is more effective participation in the public policy process at a reduced cost.



IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ is backed by staff expertise in a wide range of public policy issues, including trade, currency, tax, infrastructure and energy.  At the same time, it can be used for:



Education

The biggest inhibitor of effective advocacy is an inadequate base of knowledge and understanding.  Without a firm grasp of facts, figures and concepts, it is difficult to make winning arguments.  Moreover, such a grasp of the subject breeds confidence, enabling non-experts to perform expertly.


IAS can help to educate your members on one or a series of public policy issues.  By structuring discussions around a PowerPoint presentation tailored to their needs, participants have a chance to explore issues in depth, to raise and get answers to their individual questions, and to interact with one another.  Without the need to hold physical meetings, briefings and discussions can be scheduled more frequently (e.g. monthly). Over time, a resource library can be assembled on the client's website, enabling even wider participation in the education process.



Decision-Making

IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ enables working groups, task forces and committees to reach decisions in a timely manner and on a uniformly informed basis.  PowerPoint presentations can be used to explain the issue, set forth alternative solutions, and lay out pros and cons.  At the same time, the drafting of positions and messages can be facilitated by displaying the text in progress to all participants.  This can avoid confusion, maximize joint ownership of group positions, and reduce the number of sessions needed to reach a decision.



Message Delivery


IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ can also be used in appropriate circumstances to deliver the agreed message to target audiences, including elected representatives, government officials, industry experts, other companies or industries, and the media.  It can also be used to facilitate communications with foreign experts, industry counterparts, and government officials.  This can enable broader participation while reducing travel costs, improve the timeliness of the delivery of the message, and enhance its impact.



In an age of tight budgets, all players, regardless of size, have to find ways to do more with less.  IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ gives you:



   * in-depth knowledge and understanding of public  policy issues affecting your company or industry
   * ease of scheduling meetings
   * broader participation in the deliberation  process
   * more rapid and effective consensus-building and  decision-making
   * reduced cost to individual participants and the  organization



The bottom line is that with IAS Virtual Advocacy℠ you can attempt and achieve more without draining scarce resources. If you want to do more with less, contact the International Advisory Services Group at iasg@erols.com, via its website http://www.iasworldtrade.com, or by telephone at 1.202.904.2475

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Established in 1988, International Advisory Services Group, Ltd (IAS) concentrates on the economic and political impact of the new technologies and emerging markets that are transforming our world. As public policy experts, we understand the interplay of government action and commercial activity. We draw on our experience and expertise to provide strategic advice, practical assistance, and creative solutions to clients' trade and investment needs. In all our work, we seek to achieve the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and resourcefulness. We put our clients’ objectives and needs first. We enjoy the challenge of complexity, competition, and change. Our aim is to help our clients adapt to new economic realities, and in doing so, to play a constructive role in shaping our era’s globalization process.