New year, new challenges: How do we prepare for new laws?
“What!? More new requirements and regulations from the start of next year? Why am I just hearing about this now?”
Despite government ministries’ increasingly effective engagement efforts, this kind of startled reaction when reading the news is not uncommon. Small business owners and startups, in particular, often focus all their energy on building their businesses or managing day-to-day operations that keep the lights on. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a concern for beginners—overlooking new regulatory processes happens even in the best-run companies. It’s entirely fair to admit that staying on top of everything isn’t always possible, nor is it necessary. But it’s undeniably frustrating when surprises like these arise.
Wouldn’t it be more practical if experts kept an eye on regulatory changes—just as they do with climate change? Whether it’s an in-house legal advisor, an industry association, or an agency that specializes in tracking sector-specific developments, these professionals have the tools and methods to monitor important updates effectively.
“There’s a draft bill in Parliament that directly impacts us—we need to act quickly and bring in some help! (P.S. Who even voted for these people!?)”
Many can relate to discovering a critical update in their inbox—perhaps an overlooked notification from an industry association or an alert about a bill in Parliament. Worse still, it might significantly impact current business operations, whether it’s a new obligation, regulation, or tax. By the time a bill is under parliamentary review, it’s often too late to amend or reverse it.
While META Advisory has seen successful last-minute advocacy efforts, effective government relations require a longer-term, well-thought-out strategy. Scrambling at the last stage of the process can do more harm than good, particularly when considering future relationships. In Estonia—a democratic country with relatively straightforward legislative procedures—there’s enough time and opportunity to communicate clear messages to decision-makers, ideally at earlier stages. These messages can be critical or supportive, depending on whether the legal framework needs more clarity or stricter rules to ensure a level playing field.
“Sure, the ministry is at it again, but as long as the same rules apply to everyone, it doesn’t matter—they don’t listen to us anyway.”
Estonian entrepreneurs (and people in general) tend to be highly tolerant. Most will endure hardships as long as competitors face the same challenges. Protests and flipped cars aren’t standard methods for expressing dissatisfaction here. However, passive indifference isn’t constructive, either. While rules may apply equally to everyone, the starting points and competitiveness vary significantly.
Estonia is also characterized by its horizontal structure. Along with its relatively flat geography, the country’s power structure is remarkably accessible. With enough determination and reasoning, anyone can secure a meeting with a minister or high-ranking official. The real question is whether this opportunity is used effectively. Many META consultants have previously worked in government roles, giving us a deep understanding of who to approach, when, and how to ensure entrepreneurs’ legitimate interests are heard.
“I heard the EU imposed yet another set of pointless regulations on our industry. At least we get subsidies from them.”
Our expertise isn’t limited to Estonia. We are well-versed in European Union processes and the institutions involved. No EU rule or regulation appears overnight, leaving local officials scrambling to adapt them to Estonian law. Yes, there’s been a lot lately, and our small country’s administrative capacity has been put to the test. However, every EU legislative act goes through a lengthy process before approval, during which stakeholders can participate and voice their opinions. The best time to engage is when the EU calls for public consultation.
EU decision-making can seem complex, and it often feels like decisions are made in a “black box,” impossible to understand or influence. This isn’t true. It’s worth remembering that many officials in Europe or Estonia lack practical field experience. That’s why government relations are essential—not just for advocacy’s sake but for creating a better legal framework overall.
“My team at META handles that!”
Ultimately, there’s another option: delegate. It’s most efficient when entrepreneurs focus on running their businesses, leaders ensure the execution of business plans, and government relations consultants ensure that the correct information reaches the right decision-makers at the right time. Every business is unique, and competition in an open world is fierce. That’s why people should focus on what they do best—whether running a company or navigating these seemingly vague processes. One thing is sure: we’re ready to tackle any challenge head-on. Contact us!
