Relationships between industry representatives and advocacy groups for various constituencies are sometimes strained or non-existent.  As a result, many companies need to open-up lines of communication with key external groups, candidly discuss issues and differences of opinion, identify areas of common interest, forge alliances, jointly sponsor consumer education, advocacy, and research activities, and possibly agree to disagree in some areas.

Interaction might take the form of a meeting or series of meetings with select groups to explain the benefits of your company's activities or proposed activities in a particular area.  Similarly, your company might wish to discuss pending legislative or regulatory proposals at the local, state, or federal levels.  If your issues require hands-on explanation, a site visit may be needed.  Such meetings provide opportunities for both sides to hear each other out and benefit from differing perspectives.

If on-going interaction is desired, introductory meetings might be held to begin meaningful dialogues on key issues.  Once the lines of communication have been established, steps need to be taken to maintain and cultivate relationships.  This would likely involve on-going contacts, periodic meetings, joint activities (e.g., drafting of compromise legislation, conducting joint media outreaches, co-sponsoring consumer education materials or research), participation in conferences and awards dinners, etc.

Your company might even wish to sponsor roundtable discussions that bring together local and national organizational leaders and key company officials to discuss important issues.  Alliances can often be formed in areas of agreement.  Roundtable discussions might be accomplished through Consumer Action, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a national network of over 5,000 community-based groups.  Consumer Action has conducted roundtables for Great Western, MCI, & SBC.  Depending upon the issues involved, the most appropriate advocacy organization should be selected to co-host roundtable discussions to assure that the right groups are at the table.