Unconference talk at UXPA 2013 in Washington, D.C.

1. Lessons from
Lobbying & Advocating for
UX on the Job
An “unconference” talk for UXPA 2013
by @karenTL

2. Hello!
Inspiration for this talk:
Being in DC & previous unconference talks!
Methodology:
Reversed-engineered what a lobbyist does
via Wikipedia, lobbying & political websites,
and job postings
@karenTL
>>> i.e., not otherwise
qualified to speak on this subject 

3. What is it?
@karenTL
Lobbying is the act of attempting
to influence decisions
(made by officials in the government).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying

4. Why?
@karenTL
Only one (or a few) decision makers
Sound familiar?
Never-ending attention &
prioritization problem
=
Many constituents & interests
+

5. @karenTL
http://www.meyersandassociates.com/lobbyist.html
"Lobbyists are in many cases expert technicians
capable of examining complex and difficult subjects
in clear, understandable fashion. They engage in
personal discussion with members of Congress in
which they explain in detail the reasons for the
positions they advocate...
Senator John F. Kennedy, 1956
Because our congressional
representation is based upon geographical boundaries,
the lobbyists who speak for the various economic,
commercial and other functional interests of the
country serve a useful purpose and have assumed an
important role in the legislative process."

6. Hire yourself!
Actual lobbying job description excerpts:
@karenTL
“Very knowledgeable about legislative process and know who the decision
makers are relative to congressional staff and Members of Congress.”
“Helps build relationships and alliances with key stakeholder
groups…Works with these groups to gain alignment and gain support…”
“Strong strategic thinking tied to business understanding to create policies
that will positively impact [company] and to deter negative policies.”
“Public presentation and speaking skills…Ability to present an argument
and effectively persuade and communicate on complex issues.”

7. Inside Lobbying
Directly accessing & influencing decision makers
@karenTL
Write a Letter Present Testimony Personal Visits &
Elevator Pitches
TEN SECOND BRAINSTORM
How might these translate to your UX job?

8. Outside Lobbying
Indirectly influencing decision makers through other people and/or means
@karenTL
Calling on Favors Coalitions Campaigns
TEN SECOND BRAINSTORM
How might these translate to your UX job?

9. Design the UX of UX!
“Bathroom UX” exercise via Leah Buley:
Which would you rather do?
a) Disarm a bomb with many wires.
b) Disarm a bomb with a single button.
By Matt Couch / @mcnigma from a tutorial exercise
this week thanks to Leah Buley / @ugleah, author of
The User Experience Team of One.
@karenTL

10. Practice Speaking!
Be a high-functioning introvert!
–Brian Sullivan, UXPA 2013 presenter
@karenTL
Hi, my name is __________.
I am a ___________.
The last cool project I worked on was ____________.
And it did this / here’s what I learned: _____________.
What about you?

11. Change & Leadership Books
@karenTL

12. Lobbying Resources
@karenTL
Google “lobbying tactics”
Ten Principles of Lobbying
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/338655
Inside and Outside Lobbying Techniques
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_inside_and_outside_lobbying_techniques
Wikipedia: Grassroots Lobbying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassroots_lobbying

13. Find & create your own “lobbies”
@karenTL
Popular D.C. myth on the origins of “lobbyist”:
President Ulysses S. Grant coined the
term from those who frequented the
lobby of Williard Hotel in attempts to
buy him drinks for the chance to
influence his political decisions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying
Thank you for voting & listening!