Engage Public Policy

"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
--Plato


Political consciousness and political engagement are hallmarks of leading companies. Public policy at the federal, state, and local level affects not only the functions of government and citizens, but the functions of companies as well.

Any business leader who believes he / she can stick its head in the sand and avoid politics or policy, is in for a rude awakening. Corporate leaders who ignore this aspect of business do so at their peril as Microsoft learned in the 1990s.

If your company does not have a political action committee (or PAC), organize one. If your company does not have a committee on its board that deals with public policy, establish one. If your company does not know its elected representatives at the local, state and federal levels, learn them. If your company does not have a go-to person or group that is responsible for public policy, get one. And if you are not using your industry trade association to the fullest, start now.

Finally, if you are not personally contributing to political candidates from both parties you are missing a golden opportunity to establish yourself as a leader. Politics and policy are embedded in our system. Embracing this reality is good business, plus the policymakers need to hear your voice.

(c) 2008 Adonis E. Hoffman