We have identified three main complexities facing civil society:
1. Unavailable information. Companies control their data, networks, and movements. Civil society must open this black box and break this opacity.
2. Not enough time to specialize in everything. Organizations, unions, and philanthropic foundations spend their valuable time on fieldwork, campaigns, and working with communities, often without time or room to understand corporate structures, finances, and political relationships..
3. Lack of rigorous and analytical research. Gaps in information and a lack of understanding about how to interpret data often renders advocacy, engagement, or litigation efforts ineffective.
Empower closes this gap to address these complexities
At Empower, we collect and analyze data to translate it into actionable insights — clear and effective strategies against corporate power. Our methodology sets us apart: we employ a critical analytical framework about the corporate capture of the State, we follow the money, we map and analyze power, and we leverage technology-based information tools.
We work with civil society clients and partners who share our vision yet require accurate, high-quality strategic research.
Strategic corporate research is fundamental to the success of campaigns, litigation, and other forms of advocacy.
STRATEGIC RESEARCH
We track where the power lies, whether in decisions, money, or networks. We track what a company does, how it does it, who wins, who loses, and where pressure can be applied to bring about change.
Strategic research is combined with robust analysis and tailored action recommendations to help our clients and partners empower and position themselves accordingly, connect effectively with companies or decision-makers, and achieve their priority objectives.
What do we research?
Industries and supply chains
We map key players in a sector, power relationships between companies, and examine the competitive landscape. We identify where to intervene, exert pressure, and where the social sector can intervene.
Companies
- Corporate profiles: Companies listed on a stock exchange, privately owned, or State-owned. We locate their operations, facilities, employees, history, products, operational strategies, and services.
- Financial analysis: Sales, capital, debt, and investment flows.
- Legal and social responsibilities: Health and safety, environmental compliance, political donations, and labor relations.
- Corporate structure: Owners, subsidiaries, vendors, suppliers, and customers.
- Decision-makers: Who runs operations, their key connections, and their institutional vulnerabilities.
Individuals
Profiles of board members, executives, and other key players in business operations, as well as asset tracking and social media analysis.
What data did we obtain?
- Human sources: Interviews and surveys of workers, clients, and communities. Also, documents and testimonies obtained through field research.
- Open sources: Freedom of information requests, media, and academic databases, among others.
- Paid sources: Specialized databases and platforms with restricted access.
The results of our research are adapted and disseminated according to the needs and specifications of clients and partners.
STRATEGIC ADVISE
We help clients and partners interpret context and data in order to identify risks, opportunities, and pressure points. We see ourselves as catalysts for campaigns and decision-making. We train, support, and, when desired, coordinate the efforts of clients and partners to achieve their goals.
We do not seek to replace, supplant, exclude, undermine, or threaten the work of any civil society organization.
TRAINING
Our team provides training in strategic corporate research, power analysis, campaign planning, internal capacity building, and institutional strengthening. We are multilingual and can train in classrooms, online, or in the field, depending on the need.
CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
We have worked with:
- Human rights organizations and grassroots groups, following the money between public procurement and infrastructure projects for example, and connecting companies to grave crimes, such as forced disappearances, to demand truth and justice.
- Communities and movements in the Global South, defending land and territory against mega-projects. We expose supply chains, investors, and sources of funding.
- Unions and labor movements, building campaigns to defend rights in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture.
- Universities and philanthropic foundations, researching corporate capture of the State, technological surveillance, and corporate responsibility.
Visit our specializations to learn more about what we do and read our articles in the Journalism section.
PRICING MODEL
Our pricing structure is competitive and flexible. We work according to the client’s capacity and needs: projects on demand, weekly, monthly, or on a retainer basis. We quote based on urgency, countries, services, and sources.
Empower does not work with companies or governments.
Contact info@empowerllc.net for a proposal.