With all of the billions (yes, I did just write billions) that has been thrown at the presidential election in the last year, it is astounding to me that there is no clear front runner. Essentially from a business perspective, this comes down to marketing. And, of course, it is never about who throws the most money at a campaign, but who is most effective. There does seem to be a shocking lack of ineffectiveness here. Both camps have suffered their own “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (okay so I’m throwing a bit of Shakespeare in here.)
While the prize is GARGANTUAN, four years in the White House, on another scale it is simply part of the giant game of politics. I’m not taking sides here. I learned long ago to allow everyone their own choice, whether I agree with it or not, isn’t inherently important. I don’t find that what happens in Washington, DC has that much impact on my business or that of my target market. Sure it is talked about, worried about, and occasionally praised, but the reality is that we get on with business regardless of the politicking. As business owners we find creative solutions to our economic woes and keep pushing forward.
In the last four years, we have tried new strategies, new tools, new techniques, we have watched email response rates plummet as audiences are overwhelmed by digital media and unbridled spam. We have been more persistent and consistent in our efforts to reach our target market and build lasting and profitable relationships with them. This has not been impacted by politics. As business owners you are in the know, you are aware of headlines, you keep abreast of national and global news (I hope), but first and foremost your priority is your business, your livelihood, your customers and clients. No matter who gets elected, you have services and products to deliver to your hungry market. You have a big difference to make.
In fact, you are a better marketer than either of the candidates being decided upon because in order to garner your market share you’ve had to be clear, concise and focused in your efforts. You’ve had to delete all double talk, ditch all pitching, and avoid pandering on policy. Instead you have been direct, personal, and real with your market. That’s what captures attention, hearts, and wallets today. The more real you are, the better for business. This is about human to human, heart to heart, face to face, voice to voice.
While I’m curious about who gets elected, I know that my business will go on regardless. Washington, DC may make it harder or easier, my reality is that success is up to me not anyone else. I welcome your thoughts here on BUSINESS always.
I read your column with interest. I’m based in the UK and I find the process of the Presidential Election that you are being subjected to quite astonishing.
Let’s just touch on the money. In the UK our elections are lower key and cost far less. There are arguments that the money should be capped for the general party spend. Individual candidates have a fixed budget and they have to account for the spend after the election. It’s not perfect by any means.
The “Race for the White House” seems to be an extraordinary process. The winners seem to be the TV companies and TV production companies. In the UK the official election timing is 3 weeks, only. That’s tiresome enough. TV coverage is through the news media interspersed with “Election Broadcasts” which are allocated to all the parties before the election is called. It’s unsophisticated but thank goodness it’s over fairly quickly.
From what I’ve seen on the news of your election, it boarders on harassment of the voters.
However, the strangest element is the marketing. Where else can you go on TV and not only rubbish your competition but actually peddle untruths. Advertising standards in the UK would have a seizure.
Is there a conviction that negative sells?
At the end of the day you have to ask yourself “Does this process get the right person for the world’s most important political job?” Personally, I think not. However, we all get who we vote for and we have to get on with it.
You are very right and I don’t necessarily think that it gets the right person because voters are so darned tired, they no longer want to think about the candidates let alone make any further effort to vote for them.
I think your UK system is far superior to ours and allows your country to get on with its business instead of being hogtied by candidates and media for far too long.
Eye opening! Hugs, Melissa
Great article Melissa. Small business, for the most part, try to use integrity when telling our customers what they can expect and then deliver. I think we can get back to some of that integrity if we take outside (and inside) money out of our election process.
Thanks, I agree entirely! Perhaps in 2016, we can dream . . .
Hugs, Melissa