The views expressed by the business participants are their own.
Last year, Washington’s top interest groups spent more than $283.1 million lobbying their industries. Almost every industry has a lobby or lobby in Washington, and corporate spending on political representation continues to grow.
Moreover, in 2010 Citizens United The Supreme Court decision ruled that businesses and companies can spend unlimited money on elections. Since then, corporations have poured millions upon millions into candidate campaigns and polling programs that fit their business plan.
Most successful companies are involved in politics at some level and work to shape laws that benefit their bottom line. Here we will discuss how entrepreneurs can effectively get involved in politics by building influence and advocating for candidates and laws that benefit their company.
Related: How to Drive Revenue and Improve Company Culture During an Election Without Being Political
Understanding the basics
To begin planning your strategy, you’ll need to understand how a bill becomes law and the various stages where businesses can exercise their power.
First, a member of parliament or a member of Congress will introduce legislation, and the bill will be assigned to a committee. Here, lobbyists can persuade lawmakers to make changes or remove parts of the bill that could be harmful to private companies.
If the bill passes the committee stage, the entire Senate/House of Representatives will vote on the legislation. If you have access to key players, you may be able to sway the outcome of the vote.
If the vote is passed in the Senate it will go to the House (or vice versa) and the process repeats itself. You will have another chance to advocate for changes at the committee stage and again when the chamber as a whole votes on the bill.
In order to successfully represent your company’s interests, it is important to be on top of all relevant bills being introduced to Congress. Tools like Politico Pro, Plural and Bloomberg Government can help you stay up-to-date on political issues relevant to your industry and what proposed laws may impact your business.
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Building influence
Influencing the right people, at the local and national level, is important at every step of the advocacy process. Getting started can be intimidating, and navigating the political landscape once you’re there can be overwhelming.
Getting involved in local politics, by attending town halls or community meetings, is one of the first ways to know how the system works and who is involved.
Joining existing industry associations or gateways is another great place for entrepreneurs to start building relationships and supporting causes that support business goals. Industry associations or resorts act as a middleman between your business and key players, taking the pressure off you as an individual.
Getting involved with an industry association or lobby can help you familiarize yourself with the political arena and get your foot in the door to start building your relationships with lawmakers and other movers and shakers in government.
Once you’ve established connections with the right people, effective communication and personalization are essential. When meeting with lawmakers, be prepared to show how your company contributes to the economy and society as a whole and how certain policies may affect your operations.
Learn how to most effectively position your business interests in the public interest and use case studies and facts to support your position. Make specific requests that are timed to correspond with the appropriate stages of the rulemaking process.
For example, a construction company may promote an infrastructure utility bill because it will benefit from work. In their meetings with lawmakers, they may tell them what percentage of the city’s roads are damaged and how much more spending on road infrastructure will benefit the entire community. In this case, managers consider how their company’s interests align with the needs of society as a whole and make their requests to lawmakers through that lens.
Related: Poll Asks Small Business Owners What They Really Care About in the 2024 Election — The Results Are Surprising
Direct advocacy strategies
From lobbying to grassroots organizing, political advocacy can take many forms. Here are some different steps you can take to fight for your business interests.
Coalition building: Joining forces with other businesses or organizations that share your interests can be a great way to amplify your voice. There is strength in numbers, and lawmakers are more likely to pay attention to groups with more diverse members.
Grassroots organizing: Educating and bringing together those with similar interests is another great way to get the attention of policy makers and bring about the change you want to see in the world. Creating appeals, organizing call banks or starting crowdsourcing campaigns are some of the ways to involve people at the grassroots level in the issues that matter most to your business.
Media engagement: Some entrepreneurs find that taking their message directly to the media is the best way to represent their interests. This can include writing press releases, publishing op-eds and building relationships with journalists who cover your industry.
Deciding which advocacy strategy is right for your company is very specific to your industry, company values and political goals. Talking to other entrepreneurs in your area and considering what has been successful in the past can help you decide which strategy has worked best for you.
Related: 10 Key Ways The Second Trump Administration Could Affect Your Taxes
Strategic considerations
Dipping your toe into the political arena comes with significant risks and strategic considerations. Politics is wrapped up in controversial issues, and your involvement in the process can expose your product to public scrutiny. To avoid the wrath of cancellation culture, make sure any political moves you make are consistent with your brand’s public image and company values.
Financial and time commitments are also important, so weigh the pros and cons of investing in political advocacy. In some cases, the costs of inaction can be very damaging, while in others, you may not gain from getting involved in politics. Determine how much political advocacy is appropriate for your company and use your time and advocacy dollars accordingly.
Despite these risks, many successful business owners have decided that playing an active role in shaping political outcomes is an effective way to advance their bottom line. There are many different ways to step outside and start advocating for laws that will help your company reach its highest potential. From lobbying to coalition building to grassroots organizing, there are many ways to get involved in politics and start fighting for your company’s interests.
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