Lobbyist

Summary

The term “lobbyist” refers to someone skilled at trying to modify public policy legislation and decisionmaking by government on behalf of an entity sector or community. They collaborate with MPs political officeholders and other interested parties so as to influence changes in laws or policies that favour their clients. The very essence of public policy therefore is that lobbyists are critical in terms of providing insightful data and arguments that could be used to build the case for policy changes. Although highly competitive it offers fabulous prospects for people possessing strong communication and interpersonal skills with a good deal of knowledge about politics and interest in public affairs.

Career Opportunities

This position maintains direct contact with elected officials to advance legislation that benefits the goals of the organisation or client group represented.

Represents a corporation to influence legislation and regulations in favour of corporate interests that are financial and operational.

One type of lobbyist that focuses on issuerelated causerelated or socially related issues; he may use lobbying to support initiatives for the benefit of the welfare of the people.

Hired by industry groups to advocate for policy change desired by the association's membership; this could be done through industryspecific sectors such as agriculture or energy.

A consultant whom one might hire to discuss how to build a good lobbying strategy and policy position among many other advocacy efforts to affect voters and officials.

Designated with the responsibility for managing and overseeing lobbying efforts aimed at communicating and thereby advocating for an organisation's desired policy objectives.

Responsible for providing a detailed undertaking of research and analysis of the existing laws and/or proposed regulations and advising on strategy concerning lobbying campaigns.

Lobby businesses to ensure that the law is complied with by seeking favourable interpretations or amendments of regulations.

Designs and implements plans to shape public opinion and legislative action on particular issues relating to causes in which the institutions are interested.

They develop public engagement and activism regarding issues that relate to policy changes through collective lobbying and grassroots initiatives.

How to Pursue a Career

Stream Graduation After Graduation After Post Graduation

path 1

Science Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Science Biotechnology or Public Health Master of Public Policy (MPP) Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Policy or Public Health Administration NIL

path 2

Commerce Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Business Administration or Economics Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Government Relations or Regulatory Affairs NIL

path 3

Arts Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science International Relations or Public Administration Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science Public Administration or Government Relations NIL

Skills and Qualities

• Strong Communication Skills: He must first develop the art of communicating interests to clients policymakers stakeholders and the general public.
• Political Astuteness: Acquire insight into how the political environment works and how legislation processes go on.
• Networking Ability: He should also be adept in establishing and fostering contacts with government officials and influencers.
• Analytical Thinking: The ability for critical thinking in analysing legislative proposals and projecting the consequences of the passage of a particular bill.
• Negotiation Skills: A major part of the job involves negotiation on amendments or compromise on laws.
• Public Speaking Skills: Often enough lobbyists speak before large groups such as legislative committees and public forums.
• Research Proficiency: In any such occupation special insight into current laws regulations and policy issues on which the lobbyists base their advocacy is required.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Sometimes the political dynamic can change in a very short frame of time and so it must be with the lobbyists.
• Ethical Judgement: What is legal and ethical needs to be defined to maintain compliance with set rules and codes governing lobbying.
• Persuasion and Influence: A lobbyist needs to be highly influential in changes of opinions or decisions affecting lawmakers among others.
  
  

Occupational Profile

• Research and Analyze Legislation: Lobbyists gather information research proposed laws and analyse the likely impact on clients.
• Devise Lobbying Strategies: Creating an advocacy strategy which will assist them in delivering their client's interests to the legislators including personal contacts with key personnel expert advice regarding proposed legislation affecting the client as well as testifying at committee hearings.
• Establish Relationships with Policy Makers: They must establish and develop close relations with the lawmakers and political staff within the government and other policymaking positions.
• Monitor Policy Developments: A lobbyist is required to know any development on the legislative front for example proposals by governments and other emerging issues.
• Preparation of Position Papers and Reports: a lobbyist would prepare written arguments and other materials required to advance their points of view.
• Arranging meetings and Events: It involves appearing in legislative hearings whereby the client testifies before committees to explain their position in newly proposed legislation.
• Engage with Media: They also work with news organisations by speaking with journalists about public opinion on their own advocacy efforts and policy issues.
• Negotiate Policy Changes: Behind the scenes lobbyists work their way toward changing the laws and bills in favour of their clients.
• Advise on Political Contributions: They also advise on dispensation about political contributions; this means guiding the clients on what to give and to whom all to stay within the legal boundaries of campaign finance laws.
  
  

Leading Institute

University Location Website Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) New Delhi India



Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi India



Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai Maharashtra India



Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad Telangana India



National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore Karnataka India



Abroad Institute

College Location Website Harvard Kennedy School Cambridge Massachusetts USA



London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) London England



Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Washington D.C. USA



University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government Oxford England



Entrance Exam

Exams Tentative Date Important Elements Website Common Admission Test (CAT) November (Annually) MBA entrance; evaluates quantitative ability verbal ability data interpretation and logical reasoning



Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) December (Annually) Law school entrance; assesses legal aptitude logical reasoning English and general knowledge.



TISS National Entrance Test (TISSNET) January/February (Annually) Entrance for Tata Institute of Social Sciences; tests general awareness logical reasoning and English proficiency.



Pros & Cons of a Career

Pros

• There is a high earning potential when one can successfully emerge as a lobbyist and has experience in it.
• To be able to be directly involved with the shaping of public policy and laws.
• MERIC Voices 800000 registered lobbyists working for all types of entities create a very high demand for lobbyists.
• Networking with influential and consequential people or decisionmakers.
• Careers in both the public and private sectors.
• There is a dynamic work environment since activities tend to interlink with political cycles.
  
  

Cons

• Ethical issues in controversial causes that one is advocating
• High demand to deliver results under strict deadlines mainly due to political attention
• Extremely long working hours particularly while legislature sessions are going on.
• Tough competition demands continuous updating of skills.
• Sometimes the image of lobbying in public perception is poor.
• Success is often highly dependent on relationships and networks that take many years to build.
  
  

Industry Trends

• More Digital Advocacy: With the increase in the level of technology digital platforms are an important tool in lobbying for accommodation outreach and targeted campaigns.
• Environmental Policy: Much more there is lobbying on climate change and sustainability because industries are requesting favourable regulations on these areas.
• CSR advocacy: There is a growing trend among corporations to lobby for policy changes to enhance their image concerning ethical business operations and social responsibility.
• Health policy advocacy: Headlines have been grabbed by health care reforms and drug costs while lobbying has been on the increase in both private and public sectors.
• Expanding Grassroots Campaigns: Grassroots lobby efforts use citizens for collective action in influencing policy advocacy.
• Technology Sector Growth in Lobbying: Fastgrowing innovation has catapulted the tech industry into one of the premier lobby sectors on issues related to data privacy and regulation.
• DataDriven Advocacy: Analytics applied in lobbying crystallise arguments of organisations. It is also useful for measuring the effectiveness of campaigns.
• Globalisation of Lobbying Efforts: Companies and organisations are now expanding their effort to lobby not only domestically to influence policy but also extend it to foreign governments.
• Ethics and Transparency: With the ferment of scandal and highprofile indictment together with demands from an angry public for greater accountability the lobbying industry places an increasingly high premium on maintaining transparency and ethical standards.
• Shift to Local and StateLevel Lobbying: Owing to federal gridlock many lobbyists focus their efforts on the state and local levels where meaningful policy changes may be easier to achieve.
  
  

View PDF