I was asked what I think a lobbyist should have mastered after 5 years. Here is the list.
The challenge with lobbying is to become good at it, you need to go through the procedures more than a few times. It is not a book learning skill, it is something you learn by doing well. And, as a lot of tasks are abstract, it makes it harder to learn.
You’ll learn faster and better if you get coached and receive active feedback. That will iron out mistakes.
“If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing. ~ W. Edwards Deming
Learning can be accelerated by the provision of checklists, SOPs, case studies, and loom videos on good practice for each of the items. This will help a young lobbyist learn how to do deliver the right product, and lead to less revision. It took me to time to prepare the collection I send to my colleagues. I think it is worthwhile. I learned a lot doing it.
I’ve not listed AI as the area is moving so fast and it’s not my area of expertise.
It is not exhaustive.
Let me know if there is anything you would add or remove.
- Clear Communication
1.1. How to think and write clearly
1.2. Policy Communication
Elevator Pitch
Public Comment to Public Consultations
Meetings with officials
Meeting with politicians
Policy presentation
1.3 How to communicate complexity
Communicate scientific dossiers to policy makers and politicians
1.4. How to tell a compelling story
1.5. How to speak with clients so they understand you
2. Professional skills
How to Monitor and report on policy and legislative developments
Prepare an issue update update
Prepare an activity Report
Research an issue – learn what you need to fast – and become an expert in 2 days
Read a proposal and a law
Prepare a Lobby plan
How to deal with unpleasantness
How to deal with clients who don’t want to do anything
3. Working with Others
How to work with the media
How to work with technical and scientific experts
How to work with 3rd Parties
How to work with personalities
4. Working with – how to
4.1. Work with the Commission
Work with Officials
Work with Agencies
Work with Cabinets
Work with Commissioners
4.2. Working with Member States
Working with Council officials
Working with attaches
Working with officials in national capital
Working with Ministers
Working with Sherpas
Working with EU Leaders (+ EU Council)
4.3. Working with Politicians
Working with MEPs
Working with Staff in Brussels and constituency
Working with Group Advisers
Working with the Committee Secretariat
Working with the Party in the national capital
How and when is the voting list prepared
5. How to best influence legislative and policy files
5.1. Legislation
Ordinary legislation
Delegated act
Implementing act
RPS Procedure
Special Legisalative Procedures
Trade measures
5.2. Policy
How best to influence policy development
What do when an ‘evaluation’/ ‘review’ is going to happen
What to do when an ‘impact assessment’ is going to happen
How to influence an annual work programme during a normal year
How to influence a new Commission’s agenda
Divide between preparation, adoption and legislative review and scrutiny
6. How to campaign – when lobbying is not enough
Chris Rose, How To Win Campaigns
7. A Public Affairs Methodology
How to prepare and prioritize
Show your value to your client
8. Ethics and lobbying
Rules in Place
EU
Professional
Case study of ethics being breached
9. Working with Agencies
Specific for the area you are working in.