The Election is Over. Now What

The Election is Over. Now What?

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, but there are still results pending across the country. While there is still uncertainty, one thing is constant: the political landscape is changing. However, no matter which party controls the White House, Congress, or State Legislatures, there are best practices that public affairs and communications practitioners should deploy as they prepare for the new political environment we're about to enter.

These five strategies can be used any time the political landscape resets. They are a starting point for any organization to use as it prepares to navigate post- election complexities from the halls of Congress and the White House to state capitals and city halls across the country.

Update Stakeholder Engagement Strategies: Build or strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, NGOs, and industry influencers. Identify new champions in the incoming administration and the new Congress, state legislatures and city halls who may have an interest in your industry. Understand which voices outside of government are influential with those champions. Tailor your engagement strategies to align with policymakers' priorities and demonstrate how your organization's goals align with their policy objectives.

Adapt Messaging to Align with the New Political Landscape: Refresh your organization's messaging to resonate with the priorities and language of the incoming leadership. Amplify the value your organization provides in addressing the issues that are top of mind for your key stakeholders - and make sure they see and hear those messages.

Develop Crisis and Issue Management Plans: Establish a clear process for crisis communication that involves rapid response and proactive issue management. A new political landscape can result in surprises in the news cycle. A tweet by a high-profile leader or stakeholder can put your issues at the forefront of policy discussions in an instant. Be prepared to address potential issues that impact your business by having key messages ready for the media and stakeholders to maintain control of the narrative if your issues are in the mix for new legislation or executive actions.

Increase Visibility and Thought Leadership: Position your organization and its executives as thought leaders on issues relevant to your key stakeholders. This can be done through publishing white papers, opinion pieces, or participating in panels and discussions that highlight your organization's expertise. Engaging in public dialogue helps build credibility and demonstrates your organization's proactive approach to adapting to the new political environment.

Deep Dive Policy Analysis: Be smart about where your advantages and weaknesses are on the policy front with the onset of a new political environment. Conducting a comprehensive policy impact analysis will help your team and leadership understand the potential impact of new policies, regulations, and legislative priorities at the local, state and federal levels.

Understanding shifts in key committees, leadership positions, and their policy priorities is critical to mapping out an effective strategy that will benefit and protect your organization.

These steps can help position an organization to not only adapt to changes but also to capitalize on new opportunities to shape the narrative and dialogue as the political landscape shifts. For more support navigating these changes, Cornerstone is here to provide guidance to help shape organizations' strategies, adapt messaging, and engage effectively with key stakeholders.

This month, Cornerstone Principal Charlie Hannema guest lectured at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He spoke to aspiring journalists about the critical role of unbiased and impartial reporting and offered practical advice on how to maintain journalistic integrity in an increasingly polarized world. With a decade of on-air experience in local television newsrooms as well as senior political communications experience, Charlie brings a unique perspective to students and to Cornerstone's clients that are looking to navigate today's complex media landscape.

Hurricane Recovery Efforts Underway in Southeast

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have devastated communities across the Southeast, leaving communities reeling from the loss of life and widespread economic impact. Cornerstone has helped our clients engage with nonprofits, local leaders and lawmakers in affected states to facilitate in-kind and monetary donations to support recovery efforts.

When an organization steps up to provide meaningful recovery assistance, it's important to engage with the right organizations and communicate with key internal and external stakeholders about the impact your support will have. Cornerstone is here to guide any organization or company through the philanthropic process, making sure your investments have the maximum impact.