Power Shifts

On this episode of Craft Politics, we dive into the latest political and economic developments with a focus on Donald Trump's impact. Join Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy as they discuss DeepSeek's rise in the AI sector and its implications for U.S. tech stocks, Trump's provocative stance on Greenland, and the looming threat of tariffs on Canadian imports. We also explore the broader geopolitical landscape, including the U.S.-China AI race and Canada's strategic responses. Special guest Nicki Neily, Founder and CEO of Parents Defending Education, shares insights on Trump's first week, trade policies, and the evolving political climate. Grab a beer and tune in for an engaging conversation on these pressing issues! Follow us @CraftPolitics on Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Joseph discusses the evolving landscape of influence in politics, emphasizing the role of influencers and the importance of empathy in communication. He outlines the shift from traditional media to influencers as key players in shaping public discourse and provides a framework for effective engagement with audiences. Takeaways Influencers are reshaping political influence. Empathy is crucial for building trust with audiences. Authenticity is more valued than polished messaging. Long-form content fosters deeper connections. Organizations must adapt to the new media landscape. Engagement metrics should focus on audience sentiment. Two-way conversations enhance trust and understanding. Internal audits can identify gaps in empathetic communication. Niche influencers can be more effective than mainstream ones. Crisis communication strategies need to evolve with the media landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context 00:41 The Rise of Podcast Influencers 02:26 Empathy as a Key to Influence 12:02 The Empathy Framework 16:19 Practical Steps for Engagement

In the latest episode of Craft Politics, recorded a couple hours after Trump's inauguration, we try to make sense of his inauguration speech, over an Octopus Wants to Fight IPA from Great Lakes Brewing.

What happens when ego gets in the way of collaboration? In this episode, I recount a recent experience that challenged my assumptions about mentorship and leadership. You’ll hear how a late-night call reminded me of the value of humility, the courage it takes to ask for help, and why even the most experienced professionals should never stop being students.

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Craft Politics! Hosts Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy are here to bring you a blend of politics, business, and craft beer analysis. This week, they kick things off by diving into the big headlines: Justin Trudeau’s resignation and what it means for governance and business in Canada, plus the latest drama from Meta—shutting down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program and switching gears on content moderation. But the real highlight? A chat with their very first guest, Ian Robertson, a seasoned strategist and partner at Jefferson Hawthorne. Ian takes us behind the scenes of corporate boardrooms, where big decisions meet bigger egos, and helps us unpack why corporate America is cooling off on DEI initiatives. He shares how businesses can move from virtue signalling to strategic empathy, why understanding stakeholder values is key, and what happens when you don’t have a plan for those tricky political and social issues. Of course, it’s not all serious—Joseph and Andrew wrap things up with a pint in hand, rating the beer of the week and promising plenty more insights and fun in the episodes to come.

A new year, a new name, and a (slightly) new concept. Power is always in motion—between political actors, within societies, and across boardrooms. In Power Shifts, Joseph Lavoie explores the forces upending the status quo: the rise of populism, the demographic waves reshaping economies and politics, governments asserting new authority, and the technological revolutions redefining how we live and work.  Drawing on over 20 years of experience advising G7 leaders, premiers, and executives, Lavoie reveals the patterns driving these shifts—and what it takes to stay ahead in a world where power never stands still.

In this episode, I share a talk I gave in October 2024 on the disruptive nature of politics and regulations. I break down how political decisions, like New York City’s crackdown on Airbnb hosts, can reshape entire industries overnight. Regulation isn’t slowing down—it’s ramping up. From insurance brokers to tech giants, every business faces the same challenge: adapt or get caught off guard.

Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy discuss the chaotic political landscape of 2024, exploring the implications of leadership changes, the dynamics within political caucuses, and the importance of voter advocacy for businesses. They emphasize the need for businesses to adapt to political chaos, plan for potential changes in government, and engage with constituents to build resilience in uncertain times. Chapters 00:00 The Political Landscape of 2024 04:02 Navigating Political Chaos 09:10 Leadership Changes and Their Impact 15:36 Caucus Dynamics and Business Interests 22:37 Building Resilience in Political Uncertainty 27:57 The Power of Voter Advocacy

Your regular 9-5 job might not challenge every aspect of your abilities, but a side campaign can push you to new heights.

Here’s what happens when you define an enemy: • It rallies supporters with a clear focus. In the case of the carbon tax, it became a symbol of government overreach for some and a call for fairness for others. • It simplifies the narrative. Suddenly, you’re not fighting a vague concept like ‘climate policy’; you’re fighting a specific tax that impacts families and businesses. • It focuses resources. By targeting the tax, campaigns could zero in on legislative repeal or public pressure on key policymakers. • It creates a compelling storyline. The battle became about ‘standing up for working Canadians,’ a story that resonated deeply.

Choosing to sit it out is riskier than playing the game of campaigning.

This week, a client shared a thought-provoking Substack from The Honest Broker that provides a new framework for communications, he calls the 6 new rules for communicating. The main point the author makes is that the era of teleprompters and talking points has come to an end. Some of these rules we’ve always known to be true in politics. But they’ve been harder to adopt in a business or regulatory context. But, given how less accessible the public has become, it might be time to loosen up a bit. Here are the rules, and my take on each.

Tactics and activity for the sake of it can be distracting and ineffective.

In trying to assess what went right/wrong for Democrats in last week’s lost to Trump, I’ve come across several pundits who are using these results as proof that the ground game doesn’t matter. The take goes along these lines: Harris relied on back technology: the technology of knocking on doors. In some battleground states, they estimate they were knocking on 10 doors for every one that the Trump campaign knocked on. And yet, it wasn’t enough. In other words, stop wasting so much money on old tech, because if Trump can with without it, surely the Democrats can. Which is absolute BS

There’s been plenty of coverage and analysis in the aftermath of Trump’s victory. It’s while there is such a thing as over-simplifying these, sometimes, there’s solace in simplicity, so long as it’s not simplistic. And I think every corporate communicator has a simple lesson to learn from the results. It’s not about who has the better ground game. It’s not about who signals the right virtues. It’s not about whether you can or should trust public opinion polling. It’s about one simple thing: Do you know what the ballot question is?

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently obsessing over word choices. That’s because words matter. The right combination of words matter even more. But here’s why I obsess over word choices: It is tough to find the right combination.

Societal Alignment is the strategic power derived from a company’s ability to align its goals, values, and operations with the broader needs and priorities of society, and to actively engage with citizens and communities/ Here's why it matters.

Public Trust is about building a strong, trustworthy reputation that enhances public confidence and influences regulatory perceptions and decisions. When you have public trust, you earn the benefit of the doubt. You earn a wider permission space. It’s like the grease between the gears, and without it, you can’t be effective. And here’s why it’s so powerful: A well-known and respected brand is difficult for new entrants to replicate quickly. A good brand comes with time, and is the result of constant engagement with political actors, regulators, and citizens.

Regulatory adaptability and ecosystem control is the strategic power derived from a company’s ability to control critical components of its industry ecosystem, enabling it to influence regulatory environments, shape regulatory standards, and quickly adapt to regulatory changes. Here's why it matters.

Next up in my draft framework for regulatory success: Coalition building. Now, this sounds like a pretty standard play, but uniting competitors behind a shared industry goal is something near impossible. It involves herding cats and getting competitors to work collaboratively. This can be especially tough in emerging sectors or emerging policy areas. When it works though, it works well and can often lead to more balanced regulations that consider multiple perspectives.