GoodGR.org – Creating A Best Practice Framework for Government Engagement
APGRA is a supporter of GoodGR.org, a group of motivated government relations practitioners developing a framework for best practice government relations.
APGRA exists to promote high standards of government relations practice and therefore strongly supports the GoodGR.org initiative. GoodGR.org encourages a greater understanding of professional government relations, and the legitimate and important role the sector plays in a vibrant democratic system. The best practice framework is a useful complement to APGRA’s Code of Conduct which has been in operation since July 2014.
APGRA is contributing to the development of the GoodGR.org initiative and encourages all practitioners to consider its principles and if possible, contribute to their development.
To join the community and be consulted on the draft principles, please sign up.
Principles for Best Practice Government Relations (1.0)
1. Compliance
Rules around lobbying vary from place to place. Always work within applicable laws and regulations.
2. Integrity
Work ethically and with professionalism, whether regulatory frameworks are in place or not.
3. Purpose
We are the conduit between policy-shapers and policy-makers. Our role is to educate and guide our internal stakeholders as well as external ones.
4. Proactivity
Work Prioritise regular and proactive outreach to external stakeholders, conducted over the long term and beyond election cycles.
5. Panpartisanship
A panpartisan strategy breeds authenticity and nurtures quality relationships across political divides.
6. Evidence
Advice backed by evidence and data leads to better policy outcomes.
7. Empathy
Always seek to understand the imperatives and motivators of others.
8. Clarity
Using clear communication with all stakeholders helps to bring them on the journey and amplify their voices.
9. Alliances
Unite as many groups as possible around issues and causes.
10. Framing
Present information in a way policy-makers can easily understand and use.
11. Planning
Engagement strategies should be written down, contain SMART goals and realistic targets, but provide enough flexibility to change direction if needed.
12. Execution
Execution is as important as the strategy. Even the best GR strategy falls over if you can’t execute.
13. Alignment
Good GR is embedded in the business strategy.
14. Respect
Play the game, not the player. Avoid belittling your opponents or their concerns.