Homeowner · Channelview, TX · Member since 2015 · 97 posts · 11 votes
Over the past year there have been a lot of political hot button topics making their way to the public eye. Some of the issues that have blanketed our news coverage include racism, gay rights, gun rights, and religious freedom. Like most of you I have an opinion on each one of these, but I am having difficulty deciding whether or not my real estate business should have a position on these topics as well.
There have been dozens of companies make their way into the spotlight by making a stance on any number of these issues, but I don’t know if that is a logical business decision. Do you think it is wise to separate your personal political ideals, or do they have a place in your business?
if it relates to real estate, I would say yes. If it's issues like does your city need more affordable housing or rent control etc. I am happy to have my business take a stance on it.
Other issues like gay rights, abortion, etc that has nothing to do with my business I would say no my business has no stance on it.
Chick-fil-A operates with Christian principles, which is their prerogative. They are not open on Sunday and contribute money to groups that adhere to similar principles....
Is this good or bad for Chick-fil-A?
Interesting Note Chick-fil-A has the highest per store sales of any fast food type restaurant.
Over the past year there have been a lot of political hot button topics making their way to the public eye... Do you think it is wise to separate your personal political ideals, or do they have a place in your business?
Since you're talking about political issues,
you could play politician and tell one group one thing
My thoughts are why bother if it doesn't directly benefit not just effect but BENEFIT your empire, so to state! Sure multi-million dollar Fortune 500 companies get involved with that sort of thing mind you AFTER they've 'made it' to the 8 figure profit mark. By all means if you are already there then you are certainly in a different position one of serious clout and power to bend the rules, make your own even -- controversy often sells. However, if you don't attend the same country clubs and blacktie affairs as the owner of Chik-fila, Starbucks, Trump etc, it might not be in your companies best interest to go there; ergo keep your personal views personal and business separate. My coin.
I ask businesses that I'm going to do business with who they give their money and time to so I can decide if I want to give them my money. I think about it this way. If I pay you $1 and you give 10% to a church I don't agree with it's like I'm giving 10% to that church. So, I vote with my dollars. I don't offer my political views to a potential customer unless they ask.
You're asking for personal opinions, so that's what you're going to get from me...my opinion about what I feel personally.
I am an Evangelical Christian. However, that is my personal choice, just like it is everyone else's personal choice to believe as they choose. I describe myself as a fiscal conservative and social moderate. Meaning...I have a disdain for big government and overspending, and I don't believe the government should be in the business of legislating morality.
I don't have an agenda, nor do I push my beliefs off on anyone else. If someone asks me what I believe, I will tell them unashamedly. If they ask me why we operate our business the way we do, with the values we do, we will answer them directly.
However, if I am politically active in my business, it will be because a particular piece of legislation directly impacts my business or the general business climate. If there is an impending vote on a piece of legislation that will be detrimental to business and an available candidate will confidently oppose that legislation, then yes...I will support that candidate. I might donate to the campaign. I might volunteer. I might even sponsor an event. However, I will not associate the name and/or reputation of our business with that candidate. I've watched too many politicians fall, and we have worked too hard building our reputation to tie it to someone else's character.
I may be political at times, but our business is an enterprise...a free one...participating in modern capitalism.
the reason many company's cater to specious political issues is that special interests are vocal and disruptive, whereas the majority keeps quite and doesn't want to get involved. until things get bad enough that the silent majority gets motivated and involved you are going to see more companies pandering to special interests even if they represent a small market share