Shoppers%20Drug%20Mart:%20Our%20Approach%20to%20Government%20Relations%20Presentation%20to%20the%20Canadian%20Assistive%20Devices%20Association%2019%20September%202012

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Shoppers Drug Mart Our Approach to Government
RelationsPresentation to the Canadian Assistive
Devices Association19 September 2012
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What 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
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Why 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.

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Value 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

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Key elements of Government Relations
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Government 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

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Elements of a Strong Strategy
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Process Overview
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Reminder 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.
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Reality 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.
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Summary
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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