Organisations and lobbyists love to gripe, complain and moan about Commission proposals. Most hate to come forward with real solutions until it is too late.
Experienced policymakers need ‘operational’ solutions. A good lobbyist needs to hand them over when the time is right.
A new law or policy will take three to five years to have any on the ground impact. And, that’s optimistic timing. If you need to solve a problem, you need real, ready to go solutions. Tony Barber, who helped many politicians turn promises into action, calls it Deliverology. It’s an idea that has not come to Brussels.
Don’t Blank Out
Many lobbyists when asked by a Commission official “what’s your solution” to a problem just blank out.
It’s as if a lobbyist can’t design the best case solution until the Commission has done the hard work and adopted a proposal. It is easier to say “what should not be in a proposal”, rather than say “this is a solution to your problem”.
Most react when the text is already put out the door. The likely end of the day impact is low. Prevarication is not a solution.
A few lobbyists bring forward solutions. I’ve worked with some. The impact of doing this is significant.
The solution will be well-reasoned – real facts, not Trump facts – including cost, case studies, and detail how to bring it about. Any regulatory or legal language needed will be there. Often, it will be backed up peer group validation – real experts not DIY experts – and you will show that the most effective way to bring about the given public policy goal is the option you are putting forward.
A few lobbyists and organisations have pre-prepared “solutions” filed away from when the the “window of opportunity” opens. They are the ones who find their “solution” co-opted and in a short period of time working.
Copy them.