Brexit Strategy: Top 5 Tips

Since the UK voted to leave the EU in June of last year, businesses and organisations have been trying to discern ways of engaging meaningfully with key decision-makers on the issue.

Questions on the border, the single market, citizenship and immigration have dominated the headlines. Answers have been less than forthcoming as Westminster has battened down the hatches, revealing little about its negotiating stance since Article 50 was triggered in March.

With both the UK and EU taking their respective places at the starting line of what is set to be a difficult set of negotiations, what can businesses and organisations do to make sure they get their message across to those responsible for agreeing the terms of Brexit, and plan for the aftermath?

Here’s our top five tips for planning an effective Brexit strategy.

1. Understand your issues

Lots of organisations and businesses are concerned at how Brexit might affect them, but few have outlined what this actually looks like. Developing a case study of how it could impact on your organisation is a great way to tell a story, attributing some simple figures to illustrate your points. This might be the level of exports or imports to and from an EU member state, the number of EU migrants employed by your business, or the investments/jobs potentially at risk in Northern Ireland.

2. Find your allies

Your organisation or business is likely facing challenges similar to others in your sector and beyond, thus it is important to identify who they are, and consider speaking with a unified voice in order to make a stronger case.

It can also help your organisation or business to carve out a leadership role as a key voice in the sector.

3. Identify East-West and North-South decision makers

Brexit isn’t just a matter for the UK Government to decide; ultimately, the balance of power lies with the 27 remaining member states and their negotiating team. Whilst it is essential that you register your concerns with key MPs and Westminster committees, including the Exiting the European Union Committee and Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, it is also crucial to ask who is leading on your issue in Whitehall? Is the Republic of Ireland now Northern Ireland’s strongest ally around the negotiating table? Should a good Brexit strategy factor in engagement with key decision-makers south of the border?

4. Get your message heard

Once you have developed your pitch through mapping the impact of Brexit on your organisation and identifying key industry and political stakeholders, you need to make sure your message is heard.  There are a range of channels that Stratagem recommends using and we can help you plan the best course of action.

5. Opportunities

It’s not all doom and gloom – with challenges come opportunities. Stratagem can advise you on how you can make sure your organisation is shaping the agenda when it comes to new matters devolved to Westminster and Stormont.

With approximately 80 per cent of legislation from the EU set to return to our doors, there is no better time to identify the bits of European law that you want to change, before making the case to local legislators.

From agriculture and the environment, to energy and services, many policies and regulations will return to London or Belfast. Stratagem can help you audit those that apply to your organisation and identify opportunities that will open up over the coming period.

Get in touch for a free consultation and find out how we can help ensure that your organisation is Brexit-ready.