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Public policy is increasingly becoming core to startups in India & Asia.
Some thoughts:
First rule: if you need to ask whether you need a policy team, you likely don't.
Policy is to:
1. minimize a big regulatory risk; or
2. maximise a big opportunity
via a change of law.
Some thoughts:
First rule: if you need to ask whether you need a policy team, you likely don't.
Policy is to:
1. minimize a big regulatory risk; or
2. maximise a big opportunity
via a change of law.
Once you've identified a *specific* risk or opportunity,
Every policy effort comes down to:
1. What should the law be?
2. How should we lobby?
(cheesy but memorable)
Every policy effort comes down to:
1. What should the law be?
2. How should we lobby?
(cheesy but memorable)
Q(1) has 3 parts:
1. The ASK: What policy best protects your *industry*? team up with competition if able.
2. The EVIDENCE: Does ASK balance interests of all stakeholders? Prove it.
3. The PROPOSAL: How can you achieve ideal law w/ *LEAST* no. of changes to the current law?
1. The ASK: What policy best protects your *industry*? team up with competition if able.
2. The EVIDENCE: Does ASK balance interests of all stakeholders? Prove it.
3. The PROPOSAL: How can you achieve ideal law w/ *LEAST* no. of changes to the current law?
One common mistake: folks submit a new legislative proposal that reads entirely different from the existing law.
Suggest edits to law. Don't draft a new one. However impressive, a new draft demands too much work/time on their part.
Tag team with a lawyer for this.
Suggest edits to law. Don't draft a new one. However impressive, a new draft demands too much work/time on their part.
Tag team with a lawyer for this.
On Q(2), how should you lobby?
Every law has:
1. decision-makers
2. decision-influencers
Map them on a spreadsheet, meet them, understand their asks/concerns and close.
Run this part like a B2B sales process.
Think for society; not your company.
Every law has:
1. decision-makers
2. decision-influencers
Map them on a spreadsheet, meet them, understand their asks/concerns and close.
Run this part like a B2B sales process.
Think for society; not your company.
Finally, marry this effort with a strong comms plan. External engagements, social media, events etc.
Take any stage you get to voice the ask.
- Policy is in the court of private opinion.
- Comms is in the court of public opinion.
There's different but complimentary.
Take any stage you get to voice the ask.
- Policy is in the court of private opinion.
- Comms is in the court of public opinion.
There's different but complimentary.
I call this the risk funnel:
- Best teams arrest risk in top of the funnel (Comms).
- Lose in the court of public opinion, better convince the policymakers 1:1.
- Lose in the court of private opinion, be prepared for a drawn out court process.
- Best teams arrest risk in top of the funnel (Comms).
- Lose in the court of public opinion, better convince the policymakers 1:1.
- Lose in the court of private opinion, be prepared for a drawn out court process.
Courts in India & SEA are constructively involved in policymaking and play a crucial role in adjudicating any time sensitive business risks that play out. Eg., crypto ban
Downside is you never know how your day in court may go.
15 min hearings. Single judges. Variance is high.
Downside is you never know how your day in court may go.
15 min hearings. Single judges. Variance is high.
Hope this was useful.
What have I missed? Would a long form post be interesting on this?
Would love to hear from you esp if you're navigating policy challenges.
What have I missed? Would a long form post be interesting on this?
Would love to hear from you esp if you're navigating policy challenges.
