A company asked me what I’d recommend to help them on a challenging file. Here is the list.
- Feed into the Impact Assessment. Bring real data and information into the process. If you are asked for studies, do them.
- Don’t gripe if you don’t constructively feed into the process.
- Step in from a good position. Undertake an inventory of your operations. Identify where you can be criticized. See if you can find alternatives and work to de-risk your portfolio.
- Feed-in information to the process and the people preparing the proposal.
- It is a long term relationship. Good companies get a fair hearing and are given the benefit of the doubt, others just get a meeting.
- Put yourself in the officials’/politicians’ shoes and look at the issue from their perspective.
- Bring solutions to the table.
- Speak to the people making and influencing the decision. Ask what they need and listen to them.
- Be civil. Use the right language.
- Don’t spend all your time in internal meetings.