Company, Organization or Industry
Day & Zimmermann
How I became a lobbyist
After working on Capitol Hill for 4 years, I had an opportunity to work as a Congressional Affairs Manager in the private sector where one of my duties would include lobbying. Public law is massive and ever changing -- and Congress is always looking for ideas to help them seek solutions to the thousands of policy challenges they face each year. Acting as a lobbyist and "subject matter expert" in my field provided me with an opportunity to participate in the process of crafting solutions to some of the major debates affecting this country.
An overview of my work as a lobbyist
Although lobbying is only a small part of my duties, it is an important one. In short, a lobbyist has the responsibility for learning a particular industry or issue as in-depth as possible, translating that information into an easily understandable message, and conveying that message to the Congress in a timely, accurate and truthful manner. The purpose is to advocate the various policy and programmatic priorities of an organization and its members. For the private sector, that means advocating on behalf of the company, its employees, its shareholders and the network of subcontractors and vendors who are teamed with the company. They form the core of the stakeholders whose interests need advocacy. It is vital that when policy debates arise, the Congress is informed of the many stakeholders that will be impacted, and what that impact will be. This info helps them make the best possible decisions for public policy.
Lessons Learned
There are many lessons learned by anyone in this profession.- First, one must be truthful -- reputation and credibility form the "coin of the realm." It takes years to build a reputation, and only a moment to ruin it.
- Second, politics can sometimes be a brutal, full contact sport -- but it need not be. The goal should always be a win-win solution whenever possible. And never make the debate personal. You will need to understand the perspectives of all players, just as you hope they will understand your position.
- Third, always clean the slate at the end of each day -- today's opponent may be tomorrow's ally.
