A Great Start on Right to Repair

As I write this, I’ve just returned from Ottawa as part of the AIA’s Right to Repair MP lobbying event, and I’m impressed. Getting the Canadian automotive aftermarket to function as a cohesive unit is a bit like herding cats, but Ray Datt’s team created a system that swarmed Parliament Hill with enough bodies to get the information access issue across to literally dozens of MP’s. Organizationally, this was a coup and is an example of how to run an effective lobbying effort toward government. It’s also an example of why a national association needs both dedicated personnel and local access to key government people. Could this have been organized from Vancouver, or Halifax? Maybe. But it couldn’t have be achieved by volunteers alone, however hard working. Lesson One for any future service provider organization: Get experienced people on the ground in Ottawa if you want to get some attention in the federal government. It also wasn’t cheap, with a well-attended reception in the West Block and multiple meetings at the Sheraton downtown. Lesson Two: don’t try this unless the funding is there to do it first-class. MP’s were all over that reception and I have to think that good food and drink was a major reason why. And the third and most important reason why the event worked so well? A simple to understand, clear message. From Ray Datt’s speech to the pre-meeting briefings, it was easy to get a grasp of why we were there and what the MP’s needed to know about the issue. Lesson Three: Keep the message simple. This principle is so basic that it amazes me how often it’s overlooked, from the federal government itself right down to the service provider. “Your transmission’s broken” is a self evident assertion. “The overrunning clutch on the torque converter has failed” is way too much for most owners to handle. The right answer is somewhere in between. Getting an MP’s attention isn’t easy, but from what I observed on the Hill, some Members have at least a rudimentary understanding about what’s going on with service access. And what was the number one piece of advice they gave? Organize at the grassroots level. Once again, I’m putting the call out there: write your MP. Start by finding out who he or she is, then write them in Ottawa. A website to help you find your MP is: http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/PostalCode.asp.

Don’t know how to begin? Try the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation site, which contains excellent tips on communicating with your MP: http://www.taxpayer.com/main/content.php?content_id=15

And most importantly, remember Rule Three: Keep it simple. Tell what the issue is and how it affects your ability to do business. Use real-world examples, and try to get your customers involved too. Don’t worry about your writing skills; this isn’t a competition. Keep the message short and straightforward, then remember to follow up when your MP is in your home riding. E-mails, faxes and phone calls are surprisingly effective. The AIA has fired the first shot; now we need to keep up the pressure.