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What is the point of lobbying?
Nowadays, public decisions are taken with regard to highly complex dossiers. There are numerous power centres which are often in competition with each other. The worlds of politics, administration, associations, the media, and business do not always speak the same language.
In this ever-changing environment, the role of the lobbyist is to act as an “intermediary” between these different worlds who often do not know each other. His understanding of the decision making mechanism allows him to recommend strategy and promote his client’s interests.
Is it a recognised profession?
Traditionally, for a long time in France, decisions were based more on who was in the position of strength than on discussions and consultation. Lobbying emerged as a profession in its own right 25 years ago.
The recognition of the profession was boosted by the creation of the European Community, which from the outset was concerned with both economic issues and the interests of Associations.
Since then, there are numerous signs that the profession has achieved respectability and acceptance in France. Lobbying now forms part of the curricula of the School of National Administration (ENA), Institutes of Political Study, Business Schools, and universities, and many students want to join the profession. Lobbying is the subject of popular television and radio programmes. More generally, politicians and administrators are frequently in favour of the intervention of professionals who understand their needs and speak the same language!
Is lobbying compatible with democracy?
It is precisely within a democracy, where public decisions are taken freely within the context of public debate, that decision makers need to possess the correct information. The decision can only be better taken and better applied if all relevant points of view are taken into account.
Indeed, the balance between government and opposition forms an essential part of democracy.
Lobbying facilitates the diffusion of information as long as it is both reliable and truthful.
Isn’t lobbying just a question of putting pressure on public authorities?
Lobbying aims to protect the interests of those concerned by public decision making by ensuring that the right information reaches the right person at the right time..
But when all’s said and done it is the politicians that take the decisions in the best interests of those concerned and who must arbitrate between the different points of view.
Indeed, it is often the authorities who ask external organisations to shed light on the potential impact of their decisions when confronted with an ever increasing number issues that are more and more complex.
Should lobbying be regulated?
The profession is already regulated by a number of rules that concern on the one hand the consultants, and on the other relations with the authorities. The rules have been adopted quite naturally and allow any abuse to be sanctioned.
Indeed, lobbyists have got together and have formed the French Association of Lobbying Consultants and Public Affairs with its own Code of Ethics which has become a model in the profession. As a result, over the last 15 years, lobbying has emerged as a recognised profession.
Who uses lobbyists?
Anyone whose business activity or image can be affected by public decision-making or debate can make use of lobbyists. Businesses, of course, and professional organisations, but also associations, Institutions or any organisation.
What makes a lobbying dossier successful?
A number of points, amongst others should be underlined:
- First of all, the claim must be legitimate; what does the claimant want, and how does he justify his claim?
- Is the claim compatible with the public interest, and is it in tune with the aims of the legislator?
- What opportunities exist to intervene prior to the decision with the correct negotiators ?
- Can arguments be put forward in a time-scale that fit in with that of the decision making process?
Is the lobbyist a lawyer or a communicator?
Principally the profession is often that of lawyer, but the lobbyist must debate and convince. Communication is essential.
Lobbyists always call upon their communication skills and techniques which vary according to the person with whom they are negotiating and their objectives.
It is therefore a specialised form of communication which aims to act as a lever by emphasising the usefulness of partnerships and influential targeted intermediaries rather than trying to influence massively.
Communication & Institutions is based in Paris. Does it operate abroad?
From the outset, Communication & Institutions has been involved in a numerous European projects. We advise French clients in their dealings with Brussels and Strasbourg and other Member States, but we also deal with clients based in Brussels, particularly professional organisations.
This is for two reasons: firstly much French legislation is the result of decisions taken on a European scale, and secondly France can wield significant political weight and is a key nation in certain areas of activity.
Communication & Institutions also intervenes on behalf of its clients with international organisations such as the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Does Communication & Institutions consultants only advise structures that do not have their own internal lobbying resource?
Our clients, whether they are businesses, associations or institutions, generally include an external relations department but this does not always include the lobbying function. Nonetheless, big companies are beginning to introduce specialised departments dedicated to this strategic function.
Whether we work together with internal resources or not, our support is threefold: we provide external, strategic advice, expertise in the workings of the public decision making process, and operational support for the implementation of far-reaching and often long term projects.
Nowadays, public decisions are taken with regard to highly complex dossiers. There are numerous power centres which are often in competition with each other. The worlds of politics, administration, associations, the media, and business do not always speak the same language.
In this ever-changing environment, the role of the lobbyist is to act as an “intermediary” between these different worlds who often do not know each other. His understanding of the decision making mechanism allows him to recommend strategy and promote his client’s interests.
Is it a recognised profession?
Traditionally, for a long time in France, decisions were based more on who was in the position of strength than on discussions and consultation. Lobbying emerged as a profession in its own right 25 years ago.
The recognition of the profession was boosted by the creation of the European Community, which from the outset was concerned with both economic issues and the interests of Associations.
Since then, there are numerous signs that the profession has achieved respectability and acceptance in France. Lobbying now forms part of the curricula of the School of National Administration (ENA), Institutes of Political Study, Business Schools, and universities, and many students want to join the profession. Lobbying is the subject of popular television and radio programmes. More generally, politicians and administrators are frequently in favour of the intervention of professionals who understand their needs and speak the same language!
Is lobbying compatible with democracy?
It is precisely within a democracy, where public decisions are taken freely within the context of public debate, that decision makers need to possess the correct information. The decision can only be better taken and better applied if all relevant points of view are taken into account.
Indeed, the balance between government and opposition forms an essential part of democracy.
Lobbying facilitates the diffusion of information as long as it is both reliable and truthful.
Isn’t lobbying just a question of putting pressure on public authorities?
Lobbying aims to protect the interests of those concerned by public decision making by ensuring that the right information reaches the right person at the right time..
But when all’s said and done it is the politicians that take the decisions in the best interests of those concerned and who must arbitrate between the different points of view.
Indeed, it is often the authorities who ask external organisations to shed light on the potential impact of their decisions when confronted with an ever increasing number issues that are more and more complex.
Should lobbying be regulated?
The profession is already regulated by a number of rules that concern on the one hand the consultants, and on the other relations with the authorities. The rules have been adopted quite naturally and allow any abuse to be sanctioned.
Indeed, lobbyists have got together and have formed the French Association of Lobbying Consultants and Public Affairs with its own Code of Ethics which has become a model in the profession. As a result, over the last 15 years, lobbying has emerged as a recognised profession.
Who uses lobbyists?
Anyone whose business activity or image can be affected by public decision-making or debate can make use of lobbyists. Businesses, of course, and professional organisations, but also associations, Institutions or any organisation.
What makes a lobbying dossier successful?
A number of points, amongst others should be underlined:
- First of all, the claim must be legitimate; what does the claimant want, and how does he justify his claim?
- Is the claim compatible with the public interest, and is it in tune with the aims of the legislator?
- What opportunities exist to intervene prior to the decision with the correct negotiators ?
- Can arguments be put forward in a time-scale that fit in with that of the decision making process?
Is the lobbyist a lawyer or a communicator?
Principally the profession is often that of lawyer, but the lobbyist must debate and convince. Communication is essential.
Lobbyists always call upon their communication skills and techniques which vary according to the person with whom they are negotiating and their objectives.
It is therefore a specialised form of communication which aims to act as a lever by emphasising the usefulness of partnerships and influential targeted intermediaries rather than trying to influence massively.
Communication & Institutions is based in Paris. Does it operate abroad?
From the outset, Communication & Institutions has been involved in a numerous European projects. We advise French clients in their dealings with Brussels and Strasbourg and other Member States, but we also deal with clients based in Brussels, particularly professional organisations.
This is for two reasons: firstly much French legislation is the result of decisions taken on a European scale, and secondly France can wield significant political weight and is a key nation in certain areas of activity.
Communication & Institutions also intervenes on behalf of its clients with international organisations such as the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Does Communication & Institutions consultants only advise structures that do not have their own internal lobbying resource?
Our clients, whether they are businesses, associations or institutions, generally include an external relations department but this does not always include the lobbying function. Nonetheless, big companies are beginning to introduce specialised departments dedicated to this strategic function.
Whether we work together with internal resources or not, our support is threefold: we provide external, strategic advice, expertise in the workings of the public decision making process, and operational support for the implementation of far-reaching and often long term projects.
Cabinet of lobbying specialized public affair strategy and in European lobbying, Communication & institutions offers you the expertise of its publics affairs consultants in sectors such as the publics relations strategies or the political lobbying.