What are the common ways companies lobby governments?

The most common ways that companies conduct their lobbying efforts are not exactly on the up and up. One thing they do is what is called "controlling the ground" where they ultimately win by owning and controlling the terms of a debate, steering the conversations away from things they know they can't win and focusing on to those they can win, much like a presidential debate.

They also influence the media to try to get them on their side which is very powerful. They also can promote their own cause by rallying alongside another cause like a humanitarian effort. An oil company might join in to help save the whales or clean up the beaches. That is basically using another cause to further their own cause. The ways in which companies lobby are usually much different and sneakier than you would think but...it works, 9 times out of 10.