Our Approach – The Mondello Group

Objectives. Goals. Solutions.

Before moving into the private sector, Lisette spent decades working in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and several Cabinet-level agencies. During that time, she came into contact with hundreds of lobbyists. Some of them were intelligent, prepared to answer questions in a straightforward and helpful manner, well-informed about their clients’ issues and, critically, honest about themselves and their clients. Others were evasive, difficult to reach during events critical to their clients (including congressional hearings, legislative debate, etc.) and they tried to make everyone think that they were the most important people in Washington, D.C. by showing up late for meetings, constantly using their phones and other tactics which made it very difficult to help their clients – even those who clearly needed and deserved relief. Too many lobbyists are obsessed with getting that NEXT client rather than helping the ones they already have.

Our goal is to help clients achieve their goals, not to build a political empire for ourselves.

Many firms use their clients to increase the firm’s prestige by persistently soliciting political contributions for friendly candidates. In our experience, this does nothing for the client while creating a firm that is known for its politics rather than its advocacy for its clients need for improved policy or funding. We have gathered a small yet diverse group of clients who depend on us for informed, attentive assistance in their dealings with the federal government. We are not necessarily looking for the biggest companies and municipal entities, but we have the resources to service any client, from small contractors to the largest corporations and cities. Keeping the client ahead of the curve with timely information is the #1 key to providing high-quality, value-driven services. Armed with that information, we are free to develop the vital relationships that will help the client solve a problem or, in the long-term, keep the client involved in the federal decision making process BEFORE that process can become a problem.

As federal employees we appreciated and welcomed input from well-informed consultants representing responsible industry leaders, small businesses and municipalities. Today’s federal decision makers appreciate the same approach, despite the nonstop partisan wrangling that has become prevalent in recent years. Our goal is to involve our clients at the beginning of the legislative and regulatory process, where appropriate. If we can accomplish that, we can place greater focus on achieving goals and less time spent reacting to problems that erupt.

Most of all, we want an open dialogue between the client and federal decision-makers, with ourselves in the background, providing necessary information, facilitating important connections and monitoring issues on a day-to-day basis. That way, the client can focus on his business instead of constantly worrying about the next crisis emanating from Washington. Of course, not all problems can be foreseen or prevented. Sometimes the partisan divide can become so severe that extreme measures, such as a federal government “shutdown” can take place. In those rare cases, it is essential to be an effective advocate and conduit of information between the client and the federal government to prevent the government from negatively impacting the client’s business.

Every client has different needs, but some realities apply to every client

Timely, complete and accurate information is the first step and the foundation of all our client service. It is wasteful and inefficient to “solve” problems that can be prevented simply through the transmission of appropriate information to the correct federal Agency or Congressional office. For example, it is much easier to request changes to planned legislation before that legislation moves through a Committee, the House or Senate Floor, or into a House-Senate Conference Report. It may be a cliché, but an ounce of prevention can be worth metric tons – and months or years — of uncertainty. Gathering this kind of information is both an art and a science and the best information comes from direct contact with federal decision-makers before they act. Google is a wonderful tool, but clients with serious issues need to know what is happening before the details appear in the Washington Post. This is an area in which the Mondello Group excels. Joe Mondello managed nationwide policy portfolios for several key Senators, Congressmen and Committee and Subcommittee Chairmen. Lisette Mondello oversaw press and policy operations both on Capitol Hill and in Cabinet Agencies as a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee. Her unique experience allows us to offer our clients communications and presentation training as well as witness testimony preparation as added value. In most cases, federal officials tasked with writing bills and rules welcome input from the private sector and municipal entities before those documents are made public.

Rule #1: ALWAYS “Eyeball the Language”

Above all else, we operate under our personal “Golden Rule” – always, ALWAYS “Eyeball the Language”. In federal legislation and rulemaking, a misplaced comma or the substitution of the word “shall” for “may” often means the difference between success and failure. Reading the actual language of a federal proposal prevents misunderstandings, mistakes and outright disasters. The partners at The Mondello Group, LLC have written or modified hundreds of pieces of legislation and proposed Rules.

Next, armed with the essential information, we analyze the information and formulate a strategy to tackle any potential threat or opportunity. Again, this is most effectively accomplished during the early stages of a legislative or rulemaking process. It is far easier and more cost-effective to insert, remove or modify legislative or regulatory language before a Committee or Agency approves a new law or rule. Amending a bill as it is being written if far easier than doing so in a Committee Markup. Changing a bill in Committee is easier than doing it on the House or Senate Floor, etc.

A well-informed strategy is faster and, thus, more cost-effective for the client than a scattershot approach. Why set up 20 meetings when five will accomplish the same goal? This allows us to work with the client to formulate a measured and appropriate response to potentially harmful or beneficial legislation or administrative action. Some industries must deal with federal law and regulation on a daily basis. For these clients, we prepare detailed reports on a regular basis (usually monthly, but they may be provided weekly or quarterly, according to the urgency of the client’s issues and needs). In any case, timely, complete and accurate information, provided to the client information about pending legislation, rulemaking or hearings actions of Congress, federal agencies, and/or the federal marketplace. We provide detailed reports on relevant issues across the federal government. In these reports, we stress Congressional and Administrative actions, including hearings, legislation and rulemaking that has potential to affect the client’s business.