As Manager of Growth and Program Manager for the Directory Assistance Program Division at Delphic Research, I have the privilege of leading one of our most exciting and evolving initiatives: helping government affairs professionals keep track of not just the “whats,” “whens,” and “whys” of their work, but the crucial “whos.” In the complex decision-making ecosystem of government affairs, stakeholders matter more than ever. Understanding who holds influence, what motivates them, and how their decisions impact your business is essential to staying ahead.
Our Directory Assistance Programs are designed to give our subscribers the edge they need in tracking and managing stakeholder relationships across a vast array of sectors. The division’s flagship initiative is the CanGov 411 app, the first and only platform on iOS and Android that integrates multiple provincial government directories. Leveraging open government data where available and scraping information where necessary, this app consolidates information into a seamless and accessible interface. By doing so, it enables our users to find the right people in the right roles with speed and accuracy, which is a critical capability in the fast-paced world of government affairs.
Beyond the app, Directory Assistance powers one of the most valued features of our Executive Daily Briefing: the “comings and goings” updates. Subscribers to the Executive Daily Briefing receive a regular rundown of key appointments, promotions, and role changes across government and stakeholder organizations. These updates provide critical insights to our partners, tracking movements within cities, charities, agencies, ministries, political offices, and bureaucratic ranks, as well as among major industry and advocacy groups. Staying informed about who’s going where and who’s taking on new responsibilities is not just about awareness; it’s about understanding shifts in influence and decision-making power.
The power of Directory Assistance goes beyond standalone tools. CanGov 411’s data is fully integrated across our ecosystem, including our Executive Briefing and the PolyTrac platform. PolyTrac, Canada’s homegrown leading Government Relationship Management (GRM) platform, enables users to bring together stakeholder tracking, meeting management, and policy insights in one place. The integration ensures that our subscribers can leverage the depth of Directory Assistance data alongside actionable intelligence and workflow tools, creating a seamless and powerful experience.
In addition to our directory and tracking capabilities, we’re exploring the transformative power of data-driven stakeholder mapping. By leveraging artificial intelligence and big data approaches, we’ve begun to offer unique insights into stakeholders across a variety of domains. These include their media profile, scientific literacy, willingness to engage, organizational capacity, and more. This data empowers government affairs professionals to not only identify key stakeholders but also better understand their influence, priorities, and capacities. It’s a tool for strategic planning and relationship building that we’re proud to develop in collaboration with our Knowledge Services and Data Science teams.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited about expanding the capabilities of Directory Assistance and strengthening the integration of our tools into a bundled suite of products. Our goal is to support government affairs professionals in their daily work by providing a unified platform for stakeholder insights, actionable intelligence, and practical tools. This integration is about more than convenience; it’s about helping our users be at the top of their game and giving them the edge they need to succeed.
At Delphic Research, we recognize that even in a world increasingly driven by data and technology, people still matter. Government affairs professionals, commercial teams, communication specialists, regulatory experts, and senior leaders—our customers—operate in a landscape where relationships and personal connections remain critical. Having up-to-date, comprehensive knowledge about the people who influence policy, regulations, or markets is a key driver of success. Whether it’s a stakeholder in a policy role, a leader in regulatory affairs, or a key figure in a commercial or senior leadership team, understanding these connections makes all the difference.
That’s why we continue to lean in and build products that ultimately serve the needs of our customers, empowering them to navigate their complex worlds with confidence and clarity. Relationships are at the heart of what we do, and as we move forward, we remain committed to providing the tools and insights that strengthen those connections and drive success.
Here’s to 2025 and all the opportunities it will bring for growth, innovation, and helping our users excel.
– Mitchell Pratt
Manager of Growth & Program Manager, Directory Assistance Delphic Research
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