Sometimes a business’s bottom line aligns with the will and needs of the general public. When it comes to voting, this is one of those times.
The lure of rampant deregulation and new laws that allow businesses to give employees and customers less and less (less pay and fewer quality goods), while companies stand to increase profits, is a seductive call.
This is especially true for Black business owners. The chance to maximize profits while cutting costs seems like a no-brainer.
But in America, as in other nations, this formula has spelled disaster for business owners, their workers, and customers. Moreover, the reverse approach has been found to be the way to go—when businesses do right by their employees (i.e., benefits, pay, etc.), they stay employed longer, bringing business costs down tremendously (high employee turnover is expensive).
Companies that create a welcoming and supportive environment for their workers, also create a positive atmosphere that customers pick up on.
Comparison
The classic comparison has been between Walmart and Costco. Walmart’s business model is based on underpaying its employees and directing them to apply for federal assistance (i.e., their pay is being subsidized by taxpayers). Because Walmart invests notoriously little into its employees, turnover there is like a revolving door.
Costco, however, takes the opposite approach and gets far different results. They pay more in terms of salary, benefits, vacation days, etc, and in turn, create an environment that welcomes customers to a place they want to revisit regularly.
What does all this have to do with voting?
The elected officials we put in office with our votes set the economic tone that local and national companies follow. Voting for lawmakers who are anti-workers rights, anti-healthcare access, anti-minimum wage increases, anti-living wage promotion and anti-environmental regulations, on the surface seem to be the way to go for business owners. That approach is sold to them as a way to cut business costs. But what people and cities and nations find out that in the long run (and even in the short run), the real profits come by investing more in people.
Makes Sense
And it just makes sense.
When workers are barely getting by, if at all, working two to four jobs, with few if any benefits, they spend less, get sick more often and are less productive and less pleasant on the job. They tend to promote high employee turnover which raises costs for everyone involved.
Businesses would do well to be about the business of making sure their employees and customers vote in maximum numbers for candidates that recognize investing in people and the community and the environment are better for everyone in the short and long run.
Businesses can ensure (insist) that their employees vote, even scheduling voting time into their plans. Businesses can also offer discounts for customers who vote—e.g., show that “I Voted” sticker and get 10% off this and that. Businesses can also add incentives for employees to ensure they vote.
The healthier the general public is (mentally, emotionally and economically), the better chances business owners have of increasing profits. So, business owners, please be about the business of increasing voter participation.
