Plan, Implement, Evaluate

I did a session late last week with Analytic-OR on strategic web planning, optimzation and analytics. The key message of the presentation was start with a plan, implement it and then evaluate it. Take what you learn from the evaluation and then apply it to your plan. In that session I was referring to results-driven online marketing through your website. However, whether it is advocacy or a website, the message holds true. Plan. Implement. Evaluate.  Be sure to take what you learn through the evaluation process and apply it to your plan and your next steps for implmentation. That is results driven advocacy!

Excited about being part of the CHPCA Learning Institute

I am excited to be part of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Learning Institute taking place June 1-3, 2012  in Banff, Alberta. As part of the faculty for the Advocacy stream, I know we will be putting together a dynamic, engaging and educational program. Check it out at: http://chpca.net/LearningInsituteProgram

Advocacy Tip: Don't lose control of the meeting

The other day I was having a chat with a friend who mentioned he had just met with his local MLA, who is also a member of the provincial Cabinet. My friend talked about how surprised he was when the Minister started expressing frustration with him about policies he would like to change and asking for my friend's opinion on how that change could be made. My friend seemed pleased with the meeting until I asked him what the Minister planned to do about the issue he had actually gone to meet the Minister about. My friend sheepishly admitted he had not been able to spend as much time discussing his issue as he had hoped, since more time was spent on the issue the Minister had raised, and he did not feel he had communicated his message effectively.

This is not the first time I have seen this happen.  I suggested that next time he was faced with a similar situation, he should indicate to the Minister he would be more than happy to talk about that second issue at another time which was convenient to the Minister, but today he had asked to meet to discuss his particular concern. By ceding control of the agenda to the Minister, my friend lost his opportunity to advocate effectively. Furthermore, at the end of the meeting he might have suggested to the Minister that he could make an appointment with the Minister's scheduling assistant on the way out for a future meeting to discuss the issue on the Minister's mind.

Don't lose your opportunity by being drawn into an agenda that isn't your own. Be diplomatic, polite and accomodating, but don't be drawn in to pointless chatter or a discussion on issues not relevant to your purpose.