5 Principles of Effective Government Relations

When it comes to ensuring government relations are communicating and teaching the public in an effective and attainable manner, what are the most important services and functions that you should expect from your Canadian government relations resource? From the perspective of someone wondering about the value of a lobbyist, I thought it pertinent to provide my ideas on the most obvious reasons of what should be expected in an optimum government relations office.

1. Parliament: Beyond offering an effective advisory, advocacy, and educating resource for Canadian citizens, an effective government relations resource should know the ins and outs of Parliament and how it relates to the average citizen, to better be able to communicate to the citizen this information. So, how does a government relations resource keep abreast of the most useful Parliament information?

2. Regulation: Another important principle of effective government relations is providing citizens with regulation information and assistance. By acting as an intermediary between concerned citizen and the private sector, government relations specialists can help maintain and revise-if need be-current private sector regulations. They can use their contacts and experience in the government to ensure that all parties are being treated according to fair practice. By keeping an eye and hand in the workings of governmental actions and practice, these specialists can ensure balance through proper regulation.

3. Trade and Investment: Government relations employees are also very necessary in the area of trade and investment. With all the rules and disputes that can arise in trade and investment-between the U.S and Canada primarily-having this resource to secure the best information and navigation in your affairs is absolutely necessary. For example, government relations specialists can teach you about current NAFTA and other trade association regulations, help you acquire financial assistance in relation to trade, set up your new business service or investment program in Canada, and navigate general customs issues.

4. Procurement: Procurement of new technological opportunities for government use is another necessary principle for effective government relations. These specialists not only receive incoming opportunities for technological advancement for government procurement, but also seek out and identify potentially helpful technological resources. Government relations teams as an effective practice; invest their time, money, and resources in technology companies to promote the mutual technological prowess and success of both business and country. On a more specific level, these government relations representatives actively market, network, research competition, and oversee contract negotiations of tech businesses they find promising.

5. Grassroots Campaigns: Generating support for your cause can sometimes seem an overwhelming venture, no matter how important the cause. Government relations representatives can help bridge the gap between the public outcry of grassroots campaigns and governmental decision makers in an effective and demonstrative manner. They help lobby for specific causes and groups through key contacts, organize the campaign for presentation, generate marketing tactics, and overall boost widespread support for a cause or campaign that just needs a voice.

Do you have an example of one of the five effective principles of government relations or perhaps have insight to share on the efficacy of government relations resources and representatives. Please share your story with us.


Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a GR Consultancy for non-profits. Subscribe now to his Lobbying tips newsletter at www.actionstrategies.ca/Action_Strategies/Newsletter.html