Title: Shoppers%20Drug%20Mart:%20Our%20Approach%20to%20Government%20Relations%20Presentation%20to%20the%20Canadian%20Assistive%20Devices%20Association%2019%20September%202012
1Shoppers Drug Mart Our Approach to Government
RelationsPresentation to the Canadian Assistive
Devices Association19 September 2012
2What is Government Relations?
XYZ will help business and create jobs
- Process of informing decision-makers on
particular issues to help shape public-policy.
Involves - Representing or supporting a cause or issue on
behalf of oneself and/or others - Building a winning case with governments through
evidence and robust business cases - Establishing relationships with other groups to
help promote your message.
From the research, XYZ seems the best option to
boost growth
Of the options, XYZ is best for our community
3Why 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
organizations 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.
4Value 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 doesnt 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
5Key elements of Government Relations
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6Government 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
7Elements of a Strong Strategy
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8Process Overview
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9Reminder Two Parts to Effective Government
Relations
Internal Getting 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.
External Knowing 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.
10Reality Check
Build foundations Preparation comes first. Going
into meetings without a strategy and strong
messages can do more harm than good.
Be patient Everything takes more time in
government. Once credibility is established
things get easier, but nothing will happen
overnight.
Be realistic Larger policy changes can take
months or years to go through all the stages of
government. Balance objectives to include shorter
term, achievable goals.
11Summary
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Determine type of role you want to play
Work with organization to set priorities
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Develop strategy around targets issue