Being in the industry for over a decade doesn’t
give one the status of a veteran. However for an industry, which is on the
verge of coming out of shadows 10 years gives a panoramic view of its landscape.
The filed of Corporate Affairs or Government Relations or Public Relations has
been a part of the Indian economics ever since the days of the British Raj. For
over two centuries, the Parsi community brokered business deals between the
vernacular local population and the British. Post independence, it was the
Marwari vyaparis who thronged the power corridors of a socialist economy,
cajoling babus and nudging files. But an open and dynamic economy in the past two
decade has cleared the opaque shadows on this business practice, forcing the
men in black coats and briefcases to come out and speak their business.
Until 5 years ago, I would have 2
apprentices work with me every year. At times even this help was hard to get.
Today, I have 2-3 calls every month from students eager to Horne their skills
in the profession, asking for opportunity to work. Growing number of youth are
interested in the field of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations. Is it
the growing awareness around the industry? Could it be media exposure through
popular culture like – House of Cards or Scandal? Or is it, evolving polity
through new laws such as the Companies Act 2013 or the act, which would bring
lobbying as a legitimate expense for corporations in India? Either way this
industry, which was in its maturity in India, will witness a phoenix like
rebirth through disruptive innovation.
Those of you who are waiting to jump on to
the bandwagon, here is a teaser to the various facets of the industry.
Department Consultants:
Time and tested business model in the
unstructured world of lobbying in India; Consultants pop-up by the dozen and
usually survive the tides of time. Almost all have micro-expertise (termed as
“specialist”) in a certain department or job. Most are retired officials from
that department or have some strong connect working with the department; hence they
are well versed with the ethos & pathos of the department. Their
established network of bureaucracy and knowledge of time lines helps them in tipping
the right corners and achieve objectives.
Policy Interpretation
With the change in government and direction
of governance comes a plethora of policy changes. Witnessed in 1991, 1996 and
now since 2014 new laws related to taxation, administration, regulation etc.
will affect different industries in directly and indirectly. The task of policy
interpretation is largely taken up by the legal eagles or specialized branches
of the “Big 4”. However a small number of boutique consultancies, polito-legal
consultants have done commendable work and found their niche.
Policy Formulation
The role of corporate affairs in policy
formulation is largely limited to consensus building. This is often undertaken
in coordination or under the blanket of industry associations like FICCI or
CII. Typically, in this mandate a professional would be required to introduce,
propagate and win endorsement of one or more fundamentals of the polity.
R&D
The backbone of every effective corporate
affairs practice is a robust R&D. Corporate Affairs requires constant up
gradation of skill sets and knowledge. With changing policies, people at
various posts, directional changes in governance as well as industry/corporate
objectives; it becomes pertinent for the corporate affairs to be up to speed
with the latest around everything. As the structured corporate affairs grows
out of its infancy, this function of the practice will grow ever more important
growing into an industry of its own.
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