If business leaders are wondering whether their Corporate or Public Affairs function is addressing its biggest challenges, it’s probably because it isn’t.

That’s a hard reality, however this function like any part of the business needs to ensure that it is constantly and consistently delivering on the outcomes that are crucial to achieving the overarching business strategy.

In today’s complex business environment, the alignment between function and business is essential for success. Why? Because of the crucial role the function plays in fostering trust, mitigating non-technical risk and enhancing reputation.

Sometimes the alignment happens organically. The function engages with the business and through regular conversations work is generated that delivers what is needed most. For some reason it is seamless with the result being an amplification of effort to deliver outcomes with stakeholders that supports the company’s long-term goals.

But sometimes it needs a reset because for whatever reason paths have diverged. This requires engagement between the corporate and public affairs teams and business leaders to identify the challenges, to discuss the opportunities, and to be clear on the tangible impact that the function can and should achieve.

Creating alignment can help drive a high performing function. One that is valued. One that is both sharing responsibility and sharing in success.

Our team works intrinsically with business leaders and corporate affairs professionals to drive alignment, and to instil mechanisms and processes to remain aligned. The reward is seeing companies understand and act on this alignment to better position themselves to navigate the challenges ahead and achieve growth in an increasingly competitive world.