Innovation fuels the world’s most prominent economies, with brilliant ideas thriving on speed, agility, and adaptability. Unfortunately, there’s a rather large obstacle that can often stand in the way of progress: excessive government regulation.
While waiting for government intervention can often seem like the obvious solution, the weight of regulations can create a sluggish environment akin to trudging through thick mud, consistently throwing a wrench into the gears of progress.
It makes sense that businesses take matters into their own hands. Rather than having external requirements imposed by the government, voluntary industry schemes can be tailored to the industry’s specific needs. By operating within a government-accredited framework, voluntary industry schemes make it possible to strike a balance between compliance and agility.
At MobileMuster, we did exactly that, becoming the first voluntary product stewardship scheme in Australia to be accredited by the federal government under the Product Stewardship Act 2011. MobileMuster is designed with innovation in mind, so that any proposed changes are quickly addressed through discussions with members and the board, fostering a collaborative and adaptive environment.
For businesses looking to run a voluntary scheme, several key pieces of advice can be gleaned from MobileMuster’s experience.
Thorough research is essential for any voluntary scheme, and should always be conducted with transparency and openness in collaboration with key stakeholders. Study existing schemes to understand best practices and identify opportunities for improvement, and hunt down reputable partners who have the necessary expertise and infrastructure to tackle your project’s needs in a responsible way.
After launch, continue to monitor and evaluate the scheme’s performance through whatever metrics make sense for your industry, whether it’s measuring participation rates, participant satisfaction, or stakeholder interviews.
Despite the numerous benefits of voluntary schemes, communication challenges do arise along the way. Building awareness and communicating the purpose of the scheme to the broader public can be a struggle.
At MobileMuster, overcoming confusion between various recycling, trade-in, and other schemes requires persistent effort to establish us as the go-to solution for responsible mobile phone disposal.
Transparency is critical. Sharing achievements and challenges fosters a sense of collective responsibility and helps address any issues effectively. Establishing clear expectations upfront, including objectives, scope, targets, and roles and responsibilities, minimises misunderstandings and ensures everyone is aligned.
Use your research to transparently communicate the progress and impact of the scheme to members and the wider industry, taking care to emphasise positive outcomes and ultimately build trust.
When working with the government, it’s essential to consider any sensitivities that might be unique to your particular industry. Responsible ministers are ultimately accountable for the sector’s outcomes and public perception and are therefore hyper-aware of any ongoing sticky subjects.
Creating an open dialogue with the government is the best way to help build trust and foster collaboration, with a constant focus on demonstrating the value provided by industry-led schemes.
Within the recycling sector, for example, negative events such as the recent plastic bag debacle have eroded public trust in some recycling programs. In order to counteract these narratives, MobileMuster consistently prioritises transparency, ensuring officials and consumers are fully informed about the program’s methods and processes. Adhering to responsible and sustainable recycling practices helps mitigate the impact of negative events and maintains public trust.
Securing funding or additional funds is an ongoing challenge for voluntary schemes. While issues-based initiatives (such as sustainability, in the case of MobileMuster) are a stated priority for major companies, the budget allocated to such initiatives is often low and variable. Plus, voluntary efforts are often managed separately from profit and loss responsibilities, making it crucial to engage decision-makers who are accountable for the budget.
When seeking links, funding, or support from the government, engaging early and maintaining regular communication is vital. Building trust through consistent engagement and seeking public endorsement from the government can lead to valuable support. Voluntary accreditation and transparent reporting to the government also demonstrate the scheme’s value and facilitate collaboration.
So, if you see a challenge that your industry could solve with innovation and collaboration, don’t wait for government intervention. You can be the solution, and strengthen your industry while you’re at it.
Louise Hyland is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Telecommunications Association Limited (AMTA), the peak industry body representing Australia’s mobile telecommunications sector. As part of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), MobileMuster is accredited by the Australian federal government and voluntarily funded by the world’s leading network carriers and handset manufacturers. www.mobilemuster.com.au/
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