Government agencies [1] must continually address the competing interests of diverse stakeholders, ranging from other agencies to advocacy groups and local communities. In order to work effectively, agencies must be able to identify their stakeholders and the best forums, tools, and opportunities for collaboration.
CBI helps government agencies achieve well-informed, technically proficient, and widely accepted decisions by bringing agencies and their stakeholders together to share information, develop alternatives, and make decisions in productive and appropriate settings.
We offer in-depth knowledge of group dynamics, multiparty negotiations, and intercultural interaction. Using mediation [2], facilitation [3], and a range of specialized tools for assessment [4], evaluation, process design, we help our clients integrate thought and action to achieve wiser, more stable, and fairer results.
How CBI Helps Large Government Agencies
CBI has substantial experience [1] working across local, state, federal, and foreign governments and can draw from these experiences to tailor solutions that address the challenges faced by large government agencies. Our situation assessments help agencies understand dynamic, multifaceted situations, even those involving hundreds or thousands of organized stakeholder groups. We help facilitate the policy-making process, manage dialogue on financing conundrums, and implement difficult decisions. CBI also provides uniquely relevant training [5] and coaching to large government agencies and the civic groups with which they partner.
How CBI Helps Small Agencies and Municipalities
CBI provides tailored services to small agencies and municipalities facing difficult issues including limited institutional resources, unpredictable and shifting policy environments, complex decision-making systems, diverse cultural norms, and pressing demands from constituents with diverse interests, backgrounds, and expectations. CBI’s training [5] and coaching offers small agencies and municipalities techniques for engaging in collaborative problem-solving, communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, and fostering cooperative relationships. For towns facing difficult public-policy decisions, including often controversial land use and development issues, we help design effective public engagement strategies [6] and mediate [2] disputes.