Humble pie is lekker, ne?

I've been in discussion with an intermediary association senior executive recently and he explained in no uncertain terms that they were very active when it comes to lobbying for their members rights. And there I was thinking that associations did nothing

It did highlight one interesting point though. Lobbying means different things to different people. Some see it as lobbying for support among members, some see it as lobbying for support from the product providers and others see it as lobbying government and regulators in the interests of their members, and protecting their constitutional rights.

While this is true, our readers were asked a question in a similar vein. One that refers to the need for a unified voice, when it comes to lobbying government, and all the other interested and affected parties. The results were more than an eye-opener. A great big 96% said there was no unified voice.

So how do the associations lobby government or any of the other groupings that directly affect the lives of their members?

One industry leader tells us that these government departments, regulators, and or quasi government associations all want just one thing. To talk to one representative association that represents the majority of intermediaries and brokers interests.

A tall order?

Yes if the egos continue to get in the way. While most of the association executives maintain that they are all endevouring to set up meetings to discuss a united lobbying front, nothing much has happened. A couple of attempted meetings, some cancellations, some walk-outs, and then the launch of the black brokers grouping.

Perhaps it's time for the senior executives to be lobbying each other to determine the viability of a single lobbying voice - not an association - that can coherently talk to the authorities and the interested and affected parties. How about a professional lobbyist?