We are less than two weeks from the election that will decide who will occupy the White House and fill vacant Senate seats, governors' mansions and countless local offices. Whether you realize it or not, how you vote can influence the success or failure of your small business.
Tempting as it may be to pick candidates whose ideology and political leanings mirror your own, as a small or medium-sized business (SMB), your vote shouldn't be driven by emotion alone. Instead, it should be a strategic decision that could have a bearing on the health of your business, including its cash flow, the health and well-being of your employees, your community and even the economy at large.
But how do you do this when the most abundant source of information on all candidates — mainstream media — leads with inflammatory headlines designed to create divisions and confuse voters? Although it contradicts how most of us have traditionally voted, I encourage you to gather intelligence and focus on the policies that best support SMBs.
Whether you own a café, a clothing boutique or a startup business you run from the comfort of your home, beyond the big issues that have the potential to turn otherwise pleasant conversations into heated debates, it's crucial to understand how tax policies, regulations, healthcare and trade tariffs can make or break your business.
Related: How the 2024 Election May Impact Interest Rates
In my work as a strategic advisor to both SMBs and Fortune 100 companies, I've seen firsthand how an understanding of candidates' platforms and voting on the issues not often discussed on the campaign trail and in interviews has more of a direct impact on the success of their organizations.
Most business owners — small or large companies — share the same concerns: managing cash flow, keeping abreast of regulatory changes and benchmarking against the competition, all with an eye on expansion.
We can't avoid the histrionics in most mainstream media (particularly during a contentious election), but remember, most of it is just noise. The........