Shoppers Drug Mart: Our Approach to Government Relations Presentation to the Canadian Assistive...
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Transcript of Shoppers Drug Mart: Our Approach to Government Relations Presentation to the Canadian Assistive...
Shoppers Drug Mart: Our Approach to Government Relations
Presentation to the Canadian Assistive Devices Association
19 September 2012
What is Government Relations?
Process of informing decision-makers on particular issues to help shape public-policy. Involves:1.Representing or supporting a cause or issue on behalf of oneself and/or others;2.Building a winning case with governments through evidence and robust business cases;3.Establishing relationships with other groups to help promote your message.
XYZ will help business and create jobs
From the research, XYZ seems the best option to boost growth
Of the options, XYZ is best for our community
Why is Government and Stakeholder Relations Important?
• Shoppers Drug Mart focuses on building partnerships with government and third party stakeholders to develop relationships to address and influence legislation , regulations and policies to secure such funding.
• Building partnership with government and stakeholders strategically enhances an organizations interests by being better able to anticipate future developments, influence them as necessary and identify new opportunities to create value.
• The best practices of government relations and stakeholder management go further in trying to shape future policies, legislation and regulations, not those merely in their organization’s immediate interests, but in line with their forward-looking strategies.
• The partnerships that Shoppers Drug Mart builds with other key stakeholders, including pharmacy associations, faculties of pharmacy, business associations and think-tanks and patient and disease associations will influence how we are viewed by external audiences, including government, and will also allow us to build alliances to help better influence public policy.
Value of Engaging with Elected Officials
• Public policy is shaped by business, the media, activist groups, professional organizations, social and economic groups and individuals who believe strongly in an issue(s)
• By educating your elected official about your organizations issues you help them better understand the local issues and the positive role that your organization plays
• A proactive approach will result in better working relationships with elected officials and establish an environment that allows for more understanding and future cooperation
• Keeping elected officials informed and up-to-date on your activities can also help insulate you from problems down the road. If a crisis does erupt, you will benefit from having an already establish relationship with key elected officials
• Engagement with government doesn’t happen over night: it is process of building relationships with a long-term objective, the end result including numerous benefits to you and the community
Key elements of Government Relations
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Government and Stakeholder Engagement – Key Objectives
Critical Success Factors:• Commitment to a long-term strategy• Engagement of multiple organizational levels, aligned to the strategy• Promote issues with officials and politically from “both sides of the house”• Need to ensure alignment with industry associations as a key driver of “pharmacy” issues
Elements of a Strong Strategy
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Process Overview
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Reminder: Two Parts to Effective Government Relations
InternalGetting sufficient buy-in to gather information to tackle problems and use government to boost competitive advantage. Guide the organization
on the factors that influence policy.
ExternalKnowing the process, who to contact and when.
Able to anticipate issues arising and build coalitions around a cause. Provide
understanding of reality outside political bubble.
Reality Check
Build foundationsPreparation comes first. Going into meetings without a strategy and strong messages can do more harm than good.
Be patientEverything takes more time in government. Once credibility is established things get easier, but nothing will happen overnight.
Be realisticLarger policy changes can take months or years to go through all the stages of government. Balance objectives to include shorter term, achievable goals.
Summary
1 2 3Determine type of role you want to
play
Work with organization
to set priorities
Develop strategy around
targets & issue