Insiders may be broken down into three types: Ultra Insiders, High Profile Insiders and Low Profile Insiders.

There are several key factors to consider. Firstly, the internal transparency of an organization is very important, and public policy advocates generally understand that. Secondly, the impact of the issues at hand on a Parliamentarian’s constituency  is very important. Thirdly, it is important to develop strong and enduring relationships with Parliamentarians and other policy-makers in getting one’s point across: becoming a trusted and reliable ‘insider’ is crucial. Fourthly, the overall aim of the organisation is slightly less important to than these other factors.

FARA is short for the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 611 et seq. and is under the U.S. Department of Justice.  The purpose of FARA is to insure that the U.S. Government and the people of the United States are informed of the source of information (propaganda) and the identity of persons attempting to influence U.S. public opinion, policy, and laws. FARA applies to foreign governments, foreign political parties, a person or organization outside the United States, except U.S.

Iceland is a northern island state with a population of 320,000 which means it is both small in terms of population and fairly isolated geographically. The banking crisis has raised some fundamental questions in Iceland about the integrity of its governing institutions and the concept of corruption as it should be understood in the Icelandic context. A recurring issue is that of the extensive personal and professional relationship networks that exist and therefore permeate the institutions of government and decision making.

Flexibility and openness are the characteristics and pervasive principles of Estonia's economic policy. Estonia is an e-country with a favourable business climate and cost advantages that is also open to growth. Successive governments have adhered to the principles of Estonia's economic success: a balanced state budget, liberal trade and investment laws, and joining the euro zone, which Estonia did in January 2011.

The Country Brand Index (CBI) provides a global study of country brands. It measures and ranks global perceptions around the world's nations from their culture, to their industries, to their economic vitality and public policy initiatives.

Policymaking is a political process which is affected by various social and economic factors and the media plays an integral role in shaping the social context in which policies are developed. Through the media, citizens learn how government policies will affect them, and governments gain feedback on their policies and programs. The media acts as the primary conduit between those who want to influence policy and policymakers controlling the scope of political discourse and regulating the flow of information.

Economic diplomacy is a form of diplomacy. Economic diplomacy is the use of the full spectrum economic tools of a state to achieve its national interest. Economic diplomacy includes all the economic activities, including but not limited to export, import, investment,  lending, aid, free trade agreements etc.

A priority should be pressing the media to play a more substantive role in providing citizens with information, analysis and insight both on how governments make decisions and how those decisions are, and can be, influenced. This means more focus on how citizens, and the civil society organizations they rely on to give voice to many of their beliefs and preferences, can play a more constructive role in forming those decisions.

There are four core recommendations for effective influencing of government decisions.

1. The first is a recognition that there is no 'silver bullet' of public policy advocacy, no single approach that can guarantee success, but there are parctical tangible things that can be done to enhance one's prospects for success, in influencing decisions of government.