I have just finished the first draft of a working guide for my colleagues. The guidance provides my answers to 65 common questions a lobbyist will get from clients on steps and what can be done to influence the outcome. It includes a case study, an SOP/Checklist of good practice, and process charts. It deals with most policy development, proposal preparation, legislative journey for ordinary and secondary (DIA and RPS), and most chemical work. It is an attempt to distil 30 years of experience into plain English, to be readily applied by any colleague who can read.
When I look at the very long document, some common themes come up:
First, you need to step in at the right time, with the right evidence, with working solutions.
Second, you need to step in proactively and be pleasant and constructive. If you are asked to submit information, do so. If you are not trusted, you’ll have your work cut out for you.
Third, if you can communicate clearly (writing and speaking), your name will be praised from the heavens. Officials and politicians will rejoice as the dense fog from TBPW (Traditional Brussels Policy Writing) is lifted.
Fourth, if you have not mastered the process for the file you are working on – knowing the ins and outs, voting rules, and ways of working – your chances of getting the outcome you want are between slim (5%) and zero.
Fifth, as John W.Kingdon notes, the smart player will play for the long run, and have the right information (studies, reports, data and evidence), legislative language, and core material (Position Paper, Amendments & Justifications, Studies, Policy memo, Elevator pitch, policy presentation, regulatory submission, shadow impact assessment, mapping of key decision makers in EU 27, lobby plan, photo images, story for press) sitting in the filing cabinet ready for the day the political cycle comes around. And, even if your file is not in this Commission’s political agenda, you can be ready for when ‘chance’ turns up, or planning for the next Commission’s 5-year agenda starts in 2 years.