How should your organization behave during the Nova Scotia Election?

There’s an undeniable buzz in the air in Nova Scotia. We went from hockey season straight into election season, which is great news for a province that loves a good competition. The indicators are there: there’s been a barrage of government announcements across the province, candidates are being nominated, and some are already making their way to the doorsteps. All signs point to the polls.

Have you thought about how an election in Nova Scotia and its results may affect your organization and its future plans?

An election campaign can be a time of great change, heightened attention, and, of course, can cause lots of drama. If approached correctly, it can also be a time of great opportunity.

Creating the right election strategy is important, and essentially boils down to one question: Should you listen, connect, or engage?

Listen

Campaign platform commitments form the backbone of what becomes government policy. That’s why it’s important to know what each party is proposing and think about how it may impact your plans. However, keeping track of the conversation can be a daunting task.

During a campaign, commitments come in fast and furious. There are daily announcements, photo ops, and multiple statements from all three parties, not to mention traditional media stories and social media commentary.

Organizations must be able to understand the what, the why, and the who cares. It’s important to understand the landscape, the implications for your business or sector, and how to position for success after the polls close and the votes are counted.

Connect

From now until Election Day, party leaders, candidates, and their teams are preparing their messages and finalizing their platform. They are listening, learning, and connecting with voters.

Now is a great time to try to influence future public policy and change. Do you have an issue that needs an extra push across the finish line? Would you benefit from meeting with government before the election is called?

Engage

Elections are a time when the stakes are high for many organizations. Is your project or issue going to be a topic of discussion during the election? If so, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for the spotlight and ready to respond. Or perhaps there’s an issue that isn’t an election issue, but you want it to be.

If the result of the election, or even the discussions during the election, can have a positive or a negative impact on your organization, you need a plan. Done correctly, an elections communications strategy can get the right people on your side and make your concern their concern.

So, where does your organization fall? Are you listening, connecting, or engaging during Nova Scotia’s provincial election? No two organizations are alike and the approach you take needs to make sense for your organization.

Elections can be times of great change, rhetoric, and uncertainty. NATIONAL can help you make sense of it all and turn that uncertainty into opportunity. Our team of Public Affairs and Government Relations experts have served at the highest levels of government, across political parties, and have organized political campaigns. We understand what’s going on behind the scenes and we can help you navigate.