In what might initially sound like a leisure water sport, dragon boat racing will undoubtedly leave paddlers breathless and drained of energy after three intense races across Creve Coeur Lake.  In what is symbolic of most team activities, whether it’s in the athletic arena or corporate and government workforce, synchronized team effort and coordinated action define success at the finish line.  Despite the physical exertion, the competitive nature and philanthropic spirit of the event sends teams rushing back each year to take part in the festival and benefit the Signature Health Foundation.  Aside from the races, the festival included live music, barbeque, and fun activities for the 25 teams, friends, and families.

All proceeds of this event benefit Operation Family Help, a new Signature Healthcare Foundation initiative to assist families of patients with financial challenges by providing services such as therapy, equipment or transportation.  Signature Healthcare Foundation was founded in 2002 with a vision to “be a recognized leader in the local and national health care dialogue and spearhead physician leadership in improvements and efficiencies in the healthcare delivery system.” Signature Medical Group, its founding organization, has been a longtime lobbying client of Pelopidas in the Missouri Legislature and our organizations have actively worked together outside of government affairs over the years to benefit a variety of philanthropic causes in the St. Louis community.

Our Pelopidas team would like to thank John Marshall and the rest of Signature Healthcare Foundation for putting on a great event to benefit the community.  After a few weeks of rest and muscle relaxers, the Pelopidas Pow-Oar-House will begin training for next year’s competition!

As the long, enduring humidity of July baseball passes, the St. Louis Cardinals zone in on the final months of the regular season in an attempt to satisfy the interest of their fans and goals of their team with a playoff berth and World Series Championship.  Each year as the trade deadline approaches at the end of July, teams negotiate moves that will be mutually beneficial to each organization in regards to their current position and goals.  But whether it is spring training, mid-summer, or late October, it is expected that General Manager John Mozeliak and the Cardinals organization spends the majority of their time negotiating for the best players, coaches, and atmosphere that will provide the best path to victory and wealth for the City of St. Louis.  The same concept holds true in the profession of lobbying and the process of negotiation, whether it is the first week of session or the last.

The fundamentals of negotiation are the same at all levels of complexity.  The simple notion of “putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes” can be the backbone of a deal on the playground or on the Senate floor, as the ability to identify the varied interests of those involved gives one the power to recognize the game being played.  As stated in the Harvard Business Review, “differences, rather than common ground, are the raw material for most joint gains.”  In politics, legislators often take a position on issues based on the interest of the district they represent.  Therefore, rather than debating positions on an issue, a lobbyist can be more effective by identifying the interests of the legislator and their district in order to better negotiate a joint gain that will also benefit the priorities of their client.  Moreover, the reason the Missouri General Assembly consists of 163 State Representatives and 34 State Senators, is to process the differences in interests and negotiate laws that will provide better gains for the entire state in all areas of life.

A lobbyist main role is to watch the game, identify the interests of legislators and special interests, and negotiate the ideal, or if not, the best alternative option that best benefits their client.  A key component to negotiation is the art of listening.  As Harvard Professor, James Sebenius claims in Essentials of Negotiation, “Since agreement represents the simultaneous solution of all sides’ problems, solving their problem is part of your problem.”  By tuning into hearings, floor debate, hallway chatter, and media, a contract lobbyist is capable of understanding the opponents’ interests, which enables them to transition from identifying the game to recognizing the next step of opportunities to change the game.  There is an infinite assortment of ways to change the legislative process ranging through introduction of a bill, an amendment to pass a bill, and amendment to kill a bill, the overall passage of a bill, or preventing the passage of a bill. Each of these steps and everything in-between involves negotiation with everyone who has interest in the game.  In processing these negotiations, a lobbyist must determine: 1) what are the alternatives? 2) what are the critical uncertainties that rest upon each decision or outcome in the negotiation?, and 3) What objectives are trying to be achieved through the negotiation process.  Ultimately, a contract lobbyist is the manager of legislation on behalf of their clients, and must use their judgment on how to best negotiate their interests with the differences in the legislature.  An issue manager or corporate lobbyist must look at each trade or deal to decide if it will put them in a better position than their best alternative option.

While the St. Louis Cardinals only bring fans to the stadium for baseball games seven months out of the year, fans are watching year around as the team negotiates and strategizes to put themselves in a better position day in and day out.  Similarly, the gavel may not be active in Jefferson City twelve months out of the year, but as long as there are citizens in the State of Missouri, there are negotiations being made on how to better the quality of life.  A new election is a new draft with new interests, and the world of lobbying and politics is an ever changing game of negotiation.  Play Ball!!!

For a Missouri lobbyist and our media productions team, being a corporate sponsor of this weekend’s USS Missouri commissioning was a rare opportunity. For a moment, we were able to depart from the Missouri General Assembly, show-me state politics, and even the Fortune 500 arena of government affairs, to enjoy some sessions dedicated to preserving American freedom.

Yes, the ceremonies in Groton, CT still applied many of the usual special event dressings of our state & federal legislative world: two Governors shaking hands, several Members of Congress worked by Pentagon public relations brass, and many other constituencies lobbying for the new new thing.

But beyond the tweets and public speeches, you could still believe in the triumph of the American spirit coming together for a capital project on this scale. Governor Jay Nixon, fresh from his trip from Afghanistan, gave weight to the large number of Missourians sorted into the Naval Pier. Congressman Ike Skelton gave several living history examples from his family and beyond about how important such military efforts have been to the battled history of our democracy. Commander Rexrode and his dedicated team of submariner advocates gave incredible witness to the future of our global security using stealth-based technologies. All in all, watching the campaigns from various contractors, leaders, and public figures come together into one $1.8 billion vessel served as a sincere inspiration.

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For Rachel and I, there were several personal reminders from this experience worth noting:

Our American government can still lead global innovation, but it must be remain accountable to every taxpayer.

Part of what made everyone affiliated with the USS Missouri so proud was that SSN780 was delivered in 65 months, ahead of schedule, and under budget by nearly $100 million. The sense of accountability and transparency among defense initiatives is now enabling a further expansion of the Naval fleet into FY 2011.

For States fortunate to still host American military bases or strategic assets, use it or lose it as your economic hub.

We were surprised to learn from the Governor of Connecticut that $8M of state monies have been appropriated to help expand the Groton base infrastructure. It seemed as if everyone from this region was keenly-aware that economic activity from these initiatives were as important (if not more certain) as doling out state industrial incentives for Pfizer, Ford, or Bombardier. We wonder if the same understanding is true among the Show-Me State’s Ft. Leonard Wood, Whiteman Air Force Base, and Southern Illinois’ Scott Air Force Base.

For those who doubt what discipline, leadership training, and team focus can do, stare into the young eyes of our nation’s soldiers.

When you look at the front lines of what defends our freedom today, it is hard not to be amazed about how well we can serve with the right structure in place. We should always challenge our next generation in all industries to pursue excellence, apply your best work ethic, and to work for a team for which you would give your life. It was heartening to know that the Saint Louis Science Center broadcast this commissioning live to help show others how to apply science.

The positive network effects from military science and technology has helped all Americans greatly today.

What economists would hail as positive network externalities are likely nowhere more accurate than from projects like the SSN780. As a private pilot, we flew to this excursion with a retired USAF bomber & A-10 pilot, and a retired army manager. During our discussion about how planes flew a generation ago, I was reminded just how military technology has been instituted within today’s system of general aviation. Our transponder codes to avoid mid-air collisions: once used as “identify friend or foe” fighter jet communications. Our tough, sturdy landing gear: aided greatly by “controlled crash” landings on Navy aircraft carriers. I can only imagine what SSN780 will do for us in the future once declassified.

Leadership and celebrity coach Anthony Robbins has said that: “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

Commander Rexrode, may your destiny and decisions help shape many lives through peace in our time. The roads you take may be lonely, but vital to our society.

After more than five years since we lobbied for a better medical malpractice system in the Show-Me State, occasionally we observe a stark reminder of just how far and fast our medical, biotechnological, and genomic systems are advancing.  Normally, through working with current and former lobbying clients like the Monsanto Company, AT&T, and the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, we can feel like our knowledge is updated, contemporary, and forward-looking.

However, the convergent technologies used with iphone devices, wireless communication, and vital life indicators all featured in this 15 minute video represented a brave new world for me.

For Missouri physicians, surgeons, dentists, and supervising care team leaders, imagine the numerous possibilities.  For Missouri hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and rural health clinics, consider the changing landscape for how care could be accessed in remote locations.  For patients and consumers, behold some real promises to improve patient safety, early intervention, and preventative health.

If only a fraction of these technologies prove useful, advocates and healthcare organizations will be faced with how make such practices fit into our patchwork of professional licensing, collaborative care, and healthcare reimbursement laws.  Given that techniques like telemedicine have already-been identified as a wave toward our healthcare future, maybe we should starting thinking sooner rather than later about ways to make our regulations more useful.

It has been no secret that I have lobbied to make online public schools as useful, effective, and transparent as any other classroom in Missouri. It likewise may come as no surprise that I am an avid user of twitter to provide government transparency (having completed my 3,000 tweet recently).

As technology expands into communication and business, it is encouraging to see that some public school teachers are looking at ways to integrate it into classroom experiences in a positive way. It seems inevitable that digital natives would expect and thrive off curriculum approaches fluent in their digital devices and media.

EdWeek Magazine examines several classrooms that are using Twitter in particular to supplement their curricula.

American History teacher Lucas Ames has his students tweeting articles about Constitutional issues, old and new. @coolcatteacher shares resources between colleagues to get and give feedback about technology in the classroom. Yet another teacher in Houston is hoping Twitter will help her bilingual class to learn about other cultures and customs by partnering with other classrooms around the country.

Some critics wonder if it’s really appropriate to use social networking in the classroom. And it’s not just the stigma that video games and social networks are toys and typically distract from learning, but also because there is little to no data about these tools helping or hurting achievement. Daniel Willingham, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia-Charlottesville notes the lack of research, but goes on to say:

“Like any other tool, the way we make it useful is to consider very carefully what this particular tool is very good at, rather than simply say, ‘I like Twitter, so how can I use it?’ ”

So what is useful about Twitter in this context?

It can improve the speed by which we get information. Homework help, project collaboration are possible ways for students to integrate technology into time-management.

Downside: easing a manner to cheat, or providing shortcuts to research

It can present information in a more useful or appropriate format.
Peer reviews or ongoing class discussions where students can integrate, say, news stories into their feed to support their point could be useful in teaching analysis, debate, and how to use resources.

Downside: disadvantage for kids who may not have Internet access at home.

It can connect you with experts. You can follow @NASA, search for Ayn Rand, follow elected officials, journalists and researchers.

Downside: It can also connect you with spammers and people with bad information.

Crowd-sourcing the best ideas. For teachers, Twitter is beginning to be a way to share ideas, lesson plans and class notes. For students, it could be asking a question or asking for opinions and learning how sharing ideas produces better results and sparks creativity.

Students can also be challenged to develop their own uses and applications for Twitter. One of the most interesting uses of Twitter I came across was an elementary teacher that used Twitter to teach students about probability and geographic climates, so the network actually served to illustrate a lesson, or put a human face on an abstract thought.

Twitter is merely one example among thousands that have the potential to enhance a lesson, show the possible practical uses of a “social” network, and get students used to integrating technology into their work. One objective of administrators and teachers could be to create methods to learn about technology and reap the benefits while avoiding some of the pitfalls.

One leader in the national conversation about technology in education will be Karen Cator, a former executive at Apple, as she joins the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology.

“We need to craft an entirely new research agenda around this issue so people can’t write that technology doesn’t work,” said Cator to Edweek. “We know it works…but we need to get good at saying and articulating what exactly technology can do.”

If Americans seek to improve the competitiveness of our next generation, then it is vital to embrace this challenge to define better experiences.

Otherwise, I am sure that tweet feeds like this one will regulate our future.

Photo by Kevin Zollman under a Creative Commons license.

This week, a Washington Post article about the risks that air medical emergency response teams face reminded me how often state & federal healthcare lobbyists forget the vital role that pilots with paramedics play.  The focus of that story had to do with the family lives lost to tragedy and inclement weather in duty – something that all private pilots know deserves more attention for the work that they do.

Maybe it’s just my love for general aviation that captures me to the beat of their rotors.   Maybe it’s my decade of experience lobbying for healthcare matters.  Every time that I see a BJC helicopter coming in or leaving out from Barnes-Jewish Hospital, I think about the times that I have known someone on that flight, or someone who needs it the most at that very moment.  Recently, it was my father-in-law being air-lifted to University Hospital, when an extensive crew did everything that they could to ease his pain.  Decades ago, I recall being near a fatal car accident in Perry County when it only took 15 minutes for an air evac ambulance to arrive from St. Louis, MO.  Even in rural mid-Missouri near Jefferson City or Columbia, I often see life flights to transport vital organs, blood supplies, and unique services across our river’s edge throughout the night.

I strongly recommend every child having a chance to see a helicopter team like this in a non-urgent situation.  In 1999, in Springfield, MO, I toured a hospital during the State Chamber of Commerce Leadership Missouri grassroots issue tours around each region.  Sometimes, healthcare facilities offer open houses where such tours are offered on site.  In order to understand how and why costs can be so high, it takes some first-hand knowledge of what this kind of operation crew requires to function.

As a border to many states, Missouri’s export of healthcare services is often extended by air in this fashion.  Many citizens may not take time to realize that access to care from top notch physicians – including anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, neuro surgeons, and trauma physicians – depends upon air lifts to urban core areas.

So, as we reconsider how our state laws, regulations, and practices related to adverse events might be improved in the next year’s legislative session, we should remind each other of the techniques like this that make our access to care uniquely-possible between our urgent care, surgery centers, & major hospital networks.  When we limit our reimbursements for how doctors can see patients, someone on the other end of that 911 call may not get the urgent help that they deserve.

This week, First Lady Michelle Obama launched awareness for serve.gov. Thanks to the Google volunteer programmers that work 20% of their time on free form ideas, there’s now a new website rolled out called: www.allforgood.org (makes you wonder what the Microsoft Bing executives are doing to compete too, doesn’t it?).

An important role of a state or federal lobbyist can be sharing ways to expand charity in targeted areas, preferably around client priorities and/or the legislative districts of your colleagues in public service. That used to mean that your time and/or pro bono advocacy was limited to your physical presence traveling to a corporate office or a policymaker’s district. Today, thanks to open source API technology like All for Good, you can find creative ways to link community advocates, volunteers for political action, or small donor philanthropic patrons much easier.

Here’s how this can work. Suppose you had a healthcare lobbying client that wanted to sponsor some kind of senior outreach in Mid-Missouri, like Jefferson City, MO or Columbia, MO. On their site, you can see a search tab to enter location. When you do, you will first see a google map showing successful activities with active listings. In this example, item D in my location search sends you to volunteer match in Boone County.

The good news is that the collaboration also screens by issue, too, in your given location. This enables you to target lobbying for specific things, like public education. Suppose I want to find school partnerships in St. Louis, MO. In my search, it identifies, maps, and connects item G, Loyola Academy of St. Louis.

Obviously, the idea here is to link, share, facebook evite, tweetup, blog, or somehow promote an efficient way to give back to your targeted neighborhood. If it takes off anything like they hope, it could become a tremendous research for legislators, event planners, philanthropists, lobbyists, association managers, and engaged citizen leaders.

Quotes from a few individuals who supported the site that got us thinking:

“All for Good makes it easier for Americans to find a way to help others — to give someone a break — in a new spirit of volunteerism,” said Craig Newmark, Founder and Customer Service Representative, craigslist.

“I have been impressed — and inspired — by the way the people behind All for Good are putting their expertise in technology and the new ways we communicate at the service of service. By connecting those who can help with those in need, All for Good is an exciting step down the road of turning our impulse to serve into acts that reduce the human suffering that has been exacerbated by the hard times we are facing. Now, more than ever, we must mine the most underutilized resource available to us: ourselves. And All for Good can help us do just that,” said Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post.