Leveraging Government as Regulator, Funder and Customer w/ Terry Szmagala

What this episode covers

Terry Szmagala, Founder of TGS Advisory and former EVP/General Counsel at Eaton Corporation, argues that manufacturers should view government as a key stakeholder rather than a nuisance. He outlines three specific roles government plays: as a regulator that can mandate product usage, as a funder providing incentives for expansion and R&D, and as a customer whose procurement processes create opportunities for suppliers. Szmagala advises integrating government affairs into existing corporate processes like strategic reviews and real estate planning, rather than treating it as a separate initiative.