All firms understandably try to grow their influence. Many of them will wish for better trading conditions too.

Public policy is a system of regulatory measures, funding priorities, and systems of law that the government, or its representatives, create and enforce. Businesses understandably have a great interest in these developments and follow them closely. Business leaders will look to influence change to help improve their quality of work.

Influencing public policy can be a sensitive area for businesses. On the one hand, bold and ambitious leaders must push for change. On the other hand, restraint and diplomacy are key virtues in this effort.

Businesses that don’t approach things evenly can be critiqued harshly and even plunged into disrepute. Read on for a list of ways your company can influence public policy fairly.

Learn to Evenly Analyse Public Policy

Outrage is a common reaction to political decisions. While this is sometimes justified, turning your feelings into practical, well-reasoned measures is important. That way, you’ll be able to respond smartly instead of rashly.

You should influence public policy with integrity and determination. Knowing your facts and how to decode all of the regulations will undoubtedly embolden your company’s persuasiveness. You’ll speak the same language as the politicians and know the intricacies of what’s reasonable and what isn’t in their regulations.

Further learning and understanding of how to analyse public policy will benefit you in this regard. You and your colleagues could take a course of some kind or study with the London School of Economics and Political Science to gain practical skills in analysing, evaluating, and communicating public policy. By learning the ropes this way, you can become empowered to make substantive recommendations to a policy organisation. Individuals in private sector organisations hoping to influence public policy are welcomed on the course, and it only requires 7-10 hours per week, over 10 weeks, to complete.

Align yourself with reputable institutions that are innovating the future. Learn how to apply relevant theories and applicable concepts to real-world policy cases. In the end, a top-tier learning experience will give you the best chance possible of fairly influencing public policy.

Know the Right and Wrong Ways to Lobby

You should get as much support as possible when lobbying for change. Some individuals may not want to get involved as they have concerns.

Lobbying can be more delicately phrased as political persuasion. Either term refers to businesses, among other entities, attempting to change the minds of UK politicians via email, letter, phone call, text, or even in-person conversations at Parliament. The course of action does have its merit for businesses, but it has to be approached correctly.

Anyone can be a lobbyist, but larger corporations with many resources often hire professionals to carry out the effort on their behalf. This is where you need to tread carefully.

Lobbyists have to join a register, so ensure you do that. They typically act through government-affairs offices, industry conferences, and institutional channels to formalise these procedures. You can approach politicians, their assistants, or anyone else operating in that sphere to make your case. In the end, it’s important to be seen going through the right channels when embarking on these efforts.

Make Ethical Choices

Your business is much more likely to influence public policy if you attempt to drive positive change for broader society rather than just boost your firm’s prospects. A strong sense of what’s right and wrong can strengthen your case.

There are some lobbying efforts that are more virtuous than others. Anything that champions cutting substantial costs or protecting the environment is likely to be viewed as favourable by all. Advocate positive change for all rather than for just yourself. All of this will reflect more positively on your business and your effort to influence public policy.

Be as transparent as possible in your efforts. Ensure that associated costs are accounted for and that the appropriate colleagues are consulted on these activities. A firm sense of priorities and integrity should underpin all your strategies. You will know what problems are most prevalent in business today, but if you’re having problems choosing which to rally against first, ask your employees what matters to them or look at the latest news stories to find out what is impacting your local communities.

Some firms may join a business association. These are collations of businesses with mutual interests that operate with a ‘strength in numbers’ mentality. You can establish a consensus together and educate each other on what your sectors and businesses truly need, which may enlighten you and realign your priorities. Sharing the pressure of these circumstances can also help, as you can support one another through any uncertainty.

Appeal to Stakeholders

You can still rouse support elsewhere if you aren’t part of a business association. Public policy affects all of your business and the people within it. Employees, suppliers, investors, and vendors can all be stakeholders that will keep an eye on how imposed regulations unfold.

Carry out a mapping exercise of your stakeholders first. Identify them, and understand their position on your firm’s challenges and the government response. They may have their own unique thoughts on the regulations your firm faces, and you all need to be on the same page before you can start working together cohesively. Approach them early and consult them regularly.

Develop a government relations strategy with all of your stakeholders. Track legislative changes around key areas of your business, define legislative priorities and involve your grassroots supporters throughout the decision-making processes. It may also be worth distinguishing between desired and feasible objectives. Compromise with policymakers is likely to be necessary.

Appealing to stakeholders may only be effective if you already have a positive working relationship. Ignoring them for long periods only to call upon their support at the eleventh hour may not yield the results you’re hoping for. It’s always a good idea to engage with stakeholders on an ongoing basis, particularly because they can consist of varied groups of people with different backgrounds, levels of influence, and advocacy experience.

Address the Public

Public policy affects everyone. If harsh regulations impact businesses to the point they struggle or face closure, it can be a loss for entire communities.

However, politicians can reverse disastrous decisions if the backlash is loud enough. Your business can influence public policy far better if you rally swathes of the public to your cause. They need to understand the impact that your business creates and the precise ways you might struggle; affording energy bills, hiring new talent, and how to give back to your local community.

You can keep the public informed of this in many ways. You could publish web content to amass an audience online. The public may view those materials, share them, if your message resonates well enough. You could also explore physical and virtual event marketing, gathering members of the public to discuss the future for firms like yours.

Analyse the public mood and see if your business can address its frustrations alongside yours. A common cause is vital and perhaps more likely to be found in funding matters. Convey that you’re all working people on the same team.

Stay informed, practice caution around lobbying, and turn to others for help to better influence public policy.