When small business gets organized, the world will change for the better
The election is over and we have a new president-elect. When I polled my online audience in October about who they would vote for in the upcoming contest, two-thirds of our respondents said Trump, while 13% chose Clinton. After the election, when I went to the same online network to ask how they felt about the election results, six-of-ten were "thrilled," 29% allowed they were "glad it didn't go the other way," with only 8% saying they were unhappy with how it turned out.
When you understand that there are approximately 100 million American voters directly impacted by a small business, responses to our polling, as well as others with which I'm familiar, make me believe small business voters contributed to Mr. Trump winning 30 states. Consequently, small business owners will be justified in watching Trump's actions to see if he is as much of a payroll-making, job-creating kinsman as they apparently think he is.
But the small business sector has to do more than just hold someone else accountable - we have to hold ourselves accountable. We need to participate in the public policy debate and contribute to the results. Otherwise, we'll be relegated to taking what we're given by policy makers who can presume that we don't care.
Engagement in public policy should be a small business priority for two reasons: politicians and bureaucrats. These are the people with the power to levy taxes and impose regulations, both of which can negatively impact your business. The first element of this priority is to identify local, state and federal elected representatives, and make a plan to contact each one this year. Every year these individuals pass laws that spawn regulations and mandates that have an impact on your business. Unfortunately, too often that impact is negative.
It's dangerously naïve to expect policy makers to intuitively act in the best interest of small business. Not that they intend to hurt us, but there are at least two reasons why small businesses often draw the short straw:
- Too many politicians have never made a payroll, and consequently know little or nothing about the challenges small business owners face.
- Our message gets pushed aside by that of more organized and better-funded interest groups (read: unions and corporate America).
Small businesses have to find a way to get more involved, either through our own direct efforts, or indirectly through organizations that advocate for us. Excellent ways to do this is to first find out what's being debated and weigh in based on your position with a letter, phone call, or even a visit. Next, learn about the voting record of your Congressional delegation on laws that affect small business. Then write a letter to them and/or attend local meetings they conduct, to congratulate them if they have a supportive voting record, or express your disappointment if they don't, and encourage them to do better.
Yes, I know you probably don't have time to get directly involved in public policy or politics. But here's good news: There are a number of advocacy groups that track key small business policy issues and defend and advocate for Main Street businesses at all government levels. Here's a short list I recommend:
- Local and industry: You should always be a member of your local Chamber of Commerce and your industry's trade group. Both have policy advocacy efforts.
- National and state: Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, (sbecouncil.org); National Federation of Independent Business, (nfib.com); Competitive Enterprise Institute (cei.org); National Taxpayers Union (ntu.org). There are others, and you can't go wrong supporting more than one. Your support, especially financial, contributes to their voice at the policy table.
Regardless of your party affiliation or how you voted, as the Trump administration works with a GOP majority Congress over the next two years, many issues will be debated that impact your business. Find a way - directly or indirectly - to make your voice heard.
The choice is yours: Participate in small business policy-making, or take what you're given by those who can rightly assume that you don't care.
Write this on a rock ... At 100 million strong, if small business stakeholders were organized, the world would change - for the better.
