Policy changes can address legal updates, economic shifts, or internal needs like improving compliance and employee satisfaction. In all cases, it’s important to keep up with regulatory changes and communicate them clearly to your employees.
Grassroots initiatives, community-based organizations, and professional groups often have the credibility and knowledge to lead policy change campaigns. They may also have the personal understanding of the issue that comes from working directly with those affected by it. It’s a good idea to seek out these groups when windows of opportunity for a policy change arise — like when an existing policy is causing controversy or if the consequences of not changing are dire (like losing funding or a bad reputation).
When the issue is ripe for debate or when public opinion reaches critical mass. Policy makers lag behind what the general public thinks, and so they can be more easily persuaded to listen when an issue hits the headlines or a public backlash against a policy is evident.
A change in leadership or ideology can have profound impacts on policy. For example, a shift in beliefs and priorities could make it possible to pass policies regulating business practices or protecting domestic industries. Similarly, new research can bring attention to old issues and offer novel solutions.