Business diplomacy

About

In a fragmented and increasingly unstable world, it is crucial for economic operators with international ambitions to be supported by experts in international affairs in order to understand complex environments and make the right strategic decisions.

We offer our clients targeted services aimed at achieving specific, operational results, to de-risk their international projects and establish them sustainably in foreign ecosystems.

A team of experienced specialists with expert profiles at your disposal

The DNA of NSI’s team of experts lies in its holistic approach to addressing the issues faced by companies in changing regulatory environments, from deciphering the political and administrative context to negotiating with public authorities. Composed of experts in international contracts, former high-level diplomats, sector experts and high-level local contacts in all its areas of intervention, the NSI team is operational and competitive in dealing with business-to-government issues on five continents. The quality of our work is based on the combined experience of our experts and consultants and that of our local correspondents.

A proven and compliant methodology: Decipher, advise and influence

Our consultants have proven experience in their clients’ geographical areas of operation, with a strong presence in the MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe regions. NSI provides its clients with a proven methodology that complies with local and international legislation:

  • Deciphering: thanks to its local correspondents and expertise in OSINT and HUMINT, NSI is able to identify administrative, political or competitive obstacles and irritants that hinder the smooth running of an international project and to dynamically map local decision-makers.
  • Advising: With their in-depth knowledge of local political and administrative structures, NSI’s experts are able to provide operational support and advise group and mid-cap executives in all their interactions with foreign public authorities. As a specialist in pre-litigation mediation, support for international tenders and the resolution of complex disputes with governments, NSI is a differentiating factor for its clients in their international expansion.
  • Influencing : NSI conducts influence and advocacy missions aimed at creating the most favourable climate possible for all stakeholders to take its clients’ interests into account.
    Our experts have access to high-level decision-makers and implement complex influence strategies, leveraging all local levers: public authorities, the private sector, civil society, social networks, the academic, cultural and sporting worlds, etc.

Services included in the offer:

  • Country risk analysis;
  • Mapping of decision-makers and power networks;
  • Market access;
  • Advocacy with governments, central administrations and regional organisations;
  • Regulatory campaigns;
  • Support for export campaigns;
  • Pre-litigation operational mediation;
  • Tender support;
  • Support in selecting local partners;
  • Competitive intelligence;
  • Investment risk mitigation;
  • Strategic advice on international deployment

Everything you need to know about our NSI support

What is business diplomacy?

Business diplomacy is the support provided to internationally active companies by international-affairs experts, to decode complex environments and make the right strategic decisions. NSI offers targeted, operational services to de-risk international projects and durably establish clients in foreign ecosystems.

How can you de-risk an international project?

De-risking an international project involves analysing country risk, mapping decision-makers and securing interactions with local authorities. NSI deploys its experts (former diplomats, international-contract specialists, local relays) and its “Decode, Advise, Influence” method to identify sticking points and secure your operations.

What is NSI's method in business diplomacy?

NSI’s method has three stages: Decode (identify sticking points and map decision-makers using OSINT and HUMINT), Advise (support leaders in their interactions with foreign public authorities), and Influence (run advocacy missions to create a climate favourable to the client’s interests) — all in compliance with local and international law.

Which regions does NSI operate in?

NSI operates across all five continents, with particularly strong roots in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Its consultants and local correspondents have deep knowledge of the political and administrative systems of these areas.

What services does NSI's business diplomacy cover?

NSI’s business diplomacy covers country risk analysis, mapping of decision-makers and power networks, market access, advocacy with governments, regulatory campaigns, support for tenders and export campaigns, operational pre-litigation mediation, local partner selection, competitive monitoring and investment de-risking.