Are You Using Your Voice?

This morning I went to a meeting involving a small business owner who is running for a state house seat representing a nearby district in South Carolina. He isn't about party representation, he isn't about grinding an agenda, and he isn't about working for special groups. Ralph Norman, a Republican candidate for S.C. House Seat 48, is about thinking like a business owner at the state political level.

This got me to thinking about how critical it is for business owners to have a voice speaking for them on decisions that are important to small businesses. Think you are not involved in politics? Do you pay taxes? Are you impacted by government regulations? Do government decisions impact your competitive abilities? Your ability to secure financing? Your ability to operate a business in a business-friendly environment? Absolutely.

I have clients being adversely impacted by new federal legislation with the CARD bill. I see tax law changes and lending limitations that are crippling to small businesses. I see a government currently more interested in the underprivileged individual than in those who can create jobs and increase the tax base: the small business owner.

Do not fall into the trap of focusing only on your immediate bottom line and internal fires that need fighting. Without being involved or having representation at the state and federal levels looking out for your macro-needs, you are figuratively straightening deck chairs on the Titanic.

Get involved to make sure the voice of the small business owner is being heard to protect your rights to grow a successful business. We face enough obstacles to growth without our government bodies forcing us to act against all odds.

Three action steps you must prioritize:
1. List all of your local, state and federal representatives who speak on your behalf.
2. Find their voting records on issues pertaining to your business.
3. Let them know who you are with a simple letter thanking them for their decisions or letting them know you disagree and would like the opportunity to meet with them about it.

Business owners create success by taking action. Now is a critical time to ensure we have the support of our government entities or detect those who want to work against us. If you don't have government working with you, it is much tougher to grow your business.