Heads of public affairs
We manage your interests in policy-making and regulatory processes.
Knowing how to negotiate in a commercial context does not necessarily leave you best equipped to succeed in a political negotiation context. The time taken for policy negotiations to crystallise is considerable in comparison with business norms. Coaching clients about how best to operate in a European political context is therefore a much appreciated EPPA service.
In politics, the dynamic is completely different. EPPA’s guidance focuses on increasing client sensitivity to political negotiation tactics and the complex working of procedural rules. We advise on how to apply diplomatic methodologies, especially important in European-level public affairs which by nature involves many players (legislators, regulators, policy-makers and policy-shapers) and which takes place in a multi-cultural environment.
Our experienced team of European consultants provide EPPA with in-house skill-sets encompassing both the public and private sector domains. We are well placed to advise clients on how to match political and commercial realities, on how to engage in a constructive dialogue and, ultimately, how to build sustainable compromises.
Partner to contact: Stefan Schepers, Pascal Michaux
In all democratic countries, political decision-making is built upon negotiation within well-defined procedures. In the EU, such practices, both within and between the key EU institutions, play an equally important role in reaching a final compromise. EU decision-making is made more complex because of the need to attain a qualified majority of national governments in the Council, and between Council and Parliament under the co-decision procedure.
It is imperative therefore that companies wanting to engage successfully and constructively with the EU institutions have the proper internal organisation and decision-making processes in place. EPPA specialises in this aspect of management: we analyse the organisation of our clients’ public affairs, governmental and regulatory operations and we investigate the linkage with key commercial functions of the company. We evaluate the respective contributions to the organisations’ public policy-making efforts, including an analysis of the timing of the intervention and the overlap with the established political procedures.
Another key organisational challenge that needs effective management is the coordination of policy work between a company’s headquarters and its operations at national level. Increased coordination and mutual support makes a significant contribution to successful operations, at both EU and national levels.
EPPA's management know-how is widely recognised and allows us to contribute actively as a member of the European Federation of Management Development.