There is an art to putting together a successful submission to government.
Unfortunately, time often runs away when teams are juggling competing priorities and scrambling with resources to put one together quickly in time for deadline.
But I would argue that starting early, being prepared and bringing in extra support if necessary, can improve results.
Personally, I love coming into organisations and working alongside subject experts to shape submissions into compelling narratives that capture the attention of key decision makers.
And nothing beats getting a win in this space!
Recently I worked with a member organisation that had never had the capacity to develop a submission before.
An opportunity to prepare one in response to a specific consultation on a change to legislation was too important to miss.
I worked with this organisation over a four-week period to put together a well-researched and compelling submission.
The process included consulting members on the practical implications of the proposed changes to the legislation and putting forward a concise document that represented the views of the members.
And it paid off!
Several recommendations from their submission were supported and resulted in changes to the legislation. It also opened-up dialogue with government and discussions are now continuing with the relevant Departments.
After many years in the policy and advocacy space, what I've found is that how you put a submission together matters.
Here are some of my top tips for writing a compelling submission to government.
1. Know your audience
They could be anyone from Ministers and Advisors to the public service including Department heads and staff.
Consider these questions:
- What is the level of government for the submissions? They all have different responsibilities so make sure your submission matches the recipient.
- Who are you responding to and what are their priorities?
- What are the terms of reference or consultation scope?
2. Meet the problem with a solution
While you still need to outline the problem, you also should also put forward ways to address it. This is your opportunity to be heard and share your own ideas.
Why suggest solutions?
- It builds credibility and positions you as a collaborative partner and sector expert.
- Decision makers are overwhelmed with problems. Presenting solutions offers a tangible way forward.
3. Add evidence
Evidence such as data, reports and case studies are crucial to support your key points.
Why add evidence?
- It gives credibility to your argument.
- Demonstrates that you understand the issue and strengthens your argument.
- Governments operate with limited budgets and must justify expenditure.
4. Use plain language
Ask yourself, how could I explain this to a friend who doesn't work in my content area?
Why take this approach?
- It needs to clear and be easy-to-read by decision makers from varying backgrounds.
- Convoluted sentences and jargon increase the chance that your message may be misunderstood.
5. Be concise
Your submission needs to cut through the noise.
Why does it need to be short?
- Decision makers are busy people and reading numerous submissions, reports and briefings daily.
- Longer doesn't necessarily mean better. Succinct key messages are more likely to be remembered and hit home.
Overall, a clear well-researched and supported submission can make all the difference when it comes to giving your organisation the best shot at getting results.
And if you're having trouble preparing your submission or need an extra hand on deck to get a submission over the line, feel free to get in touch with me at Bridgeway Global.