Publicly stating your companies/personal political views - effect on business

[tankman1989]

This is not something that I ever really considered as having a place in the business world but in the last few years there have been a number of events where a company, or person, takes a public stance on a political issue. Examples are Chic-Fillet owner coming out against gay marriage, Rush Limbaugh making the comment about the woman paying $3,000/yr for birth control and most recently a store in PA boycotting a sportsman show b/c the show banned "assualt" rifles - leading to the cancellation of one of the largest sportsmans shows in the US.

After each of these public stances the businesses saw a huge increase in business - much more than what they lost in alienating the groups against which they stood. Rush lost a number of advertisers but the waiting list for advertisers increased almost 4 fold. The store in PA said they can't answer all the calls or deal with the number of customers coming in the store - and they are sold out of a lot of inventory.

Now the thing that all of these have in common is that they received at least local news coverage if not national.

It seems that many companies tend to market towards specific groups of people. Conservative talk radio tends to have the same companies between varying shows and stations. I don't know if this can be seen that these companies have a similar political/religious point of view or if this is strictly a marketing ploy.

The effect of the increase activity at businesses after taking a public stance seems to say that customers are willing to support business with whom they have similar political beliefs. It also seems that by taking a public stance that the alienation of those whom you oppose isn't significant enough or detrimental enough to stop the company from making their belief public.

So, I'm curious what your thoughts are as a business owner and a customer. If you had the choice of 2 business to frequent and one had similar political views as you, would you choose that business? how much would their view influence your choice even if they might be further away or more expensive?

Where I'm from there is a lot of tight knit religious communities and they tend to frequent others of their community and it seems that these groups tend to do pretty well and have a closer relationship with their customers. This is also a benefit when doing B2B work as finding another business is easier when you pick from within that community.

So, what are your thoughts on this and would you be more willing to frequent a company whose political views were close to that of yours?

 

[Xander]

I was looking for a local business a couple of weeks ago for something. One didn't have a website but did have a FB page. On that page, their business had Liked some hardcore Christian fundamentalist personalities like Kirk Cameron. I wrote them saying that I wouldn't support a business who supported such hate-mongering, homophobic views.

Expressing certain views will always alienate some customers and possibly attract others. But why do either? A business isn't a person and, thus, has no personal views of its own.
If you want to get on a soapbox, don't do it at work.

 

[codegreen]

I remember when Steve C. from Podnutz started advertising for a Scientology organization at the beginning of each podcast. I wrote to him and told him (politely) that I found it very off-putting (as I would for ads for any religious organization), and I pointed out that he risked alienating a good chunk of his listeners. He ultimately opted to stop, and I was glad I didn't have to unsubscribe.

Don't push unrelated political or religious issues through your business. It's unprofessional.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

There are some things to stay away from.....this is one of them.

Especially religion.

The situations you listed that seemed to work for them...they've already been successful, they could afford the risk. They made the news.

Now the store in PA...that was actually easy for them...they cater to hunters, which one can easily assume are strong supporters of the 2nd amendment...so that wasn't really a risky statement. Their clientele were hunters, they had nothing to lose, everything to gain...by making that statement.

To try to parallel this to a little local computer shop...I don't think I can come up with anything. I doubt anything could be made which would attract the media.

 

[citizensmith]

There are some things to stay away from.....this is one of them....
I don't think I can come up with anything. I doubt anything could be made which would attract the media.

Absolutely agree. Before moving to London town lived in area popular with Irish families from both sectarioan groups when the "troubles" would sometimes blow up, litterally Town also had famously partisan football clubs. Quickly learned that avoiding topics of football politics religion with new beer buddies cut down on visits to A&E / trauma unit.
I have a polite Non commital pov onsite, unless its about the weather. Like sopranos Its supposed to be business not personal. so I give discounts to serving & ex forces personel, doesnt maen I'm pro war, just a market niche that I can exploit.

Ho wabout advertising FREE Removal of Government monitoring Software. youmay need to take on more staff

 

[NYJimbo]

I never discuss religion, sports or politics with my customers. If they bring it up I try to come across as undecided or open minded when I can.

I want to make as much money as possible when I am on the job. I dont need to vent or discuss my views with the people who may (or may not) put bread on my table.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I in a very conservative part of the country. I'm not conservative. I'm Libertarian which if you are talking fiscal policy goes over good here. If the talk turns to drug policy or gay rights then it gets ugly. I don't mention my politics to my clients and if clients bring it up I politely steer the conversation someplace else.

 

[jamston]

I've got myself into a situation related to this. Nothing major, but I will continue.

I'm from a small town in Wales that has been in the public eye recently due to the Jimmy Savile case and other cases of historic child abuse.

I have very strong views on this and before I ran the business I ran events and organised meetings about various related topics. I am also involved in national campaigns and research.

I only have one twitter account, because I prefer Facebook, but I need one for the business.

Now a lot of good talk/info and so on do to with the subjects goes on on twitter and some of the activism is direct questioning of government officials and organisations on twitter.

I have always tried to avoid doing any talking related to child abuse on the twitter account, but I lapsed a few times and asked local papers questions relating to child abuse etc.

I am now starting to get followers and recommendations from people all over the world from the child abuse campaigning community.

I want to keep campaigning and I want to keep doing the business on Twitter. So I think I need a new account, but, I want to take my followers with me, so I'm thinking I should maybe use my logo or JBIT in the name somewhere.

It hasn't affected the business as far as I know and the only people I really risk alienating are paedophiles and government departments who might have covered for them .... as I type that I see a potential problem. Government departments are a damn good revenue source I imagine, well I know they are because I was approached for an enormous contract I couldn't even begin to think about tendering for, I was approached because I am the only PC company in north wales with a green policy. (Are my hippy politics showing?)

Hmmm any thoughts?

 

[rjframe]

Government departments are a damn good revenue source I imagine, well I know they are because I was approached for an enormous contract I couldn't even begin to think about tendering for, I was approached because I am the only PC company in north wales with a green policy. (Are my hippy politics showing?)

Hmmm any thoughts?

If you despise child abuse you wouldn't want to do business with a government entity that looks the other way, right?

 

[jamston]

Absolutely, but child abuse or no child abuse, government is a closed shop round here. It would mean no government work ever, they like to play it safe and would probably never pick any company who even slightly rock the boat. Saying that then, the damage is probably already done.

They found me for the job they approached me for through a local directory I am on which is for supporting voluntary organisations, I offer 50% off for charities etc through it. So maybe they will come back.

Its quite a complicated story the abuse and cover ups round here, the authority that was complicit in the abuse no longer exists, but some of the bastards that worked there still have their cushy jobs and pensions, despite some of them being accused as abuser themselves! If you've got the time and the stomach look into Bryn Estyn and all the abuse in North Wales, its a sorry state of affairs that should make everyone's blood boil.

 

[SCS75]

So, what are your thoughts on this and would you be more willing to frequent a company whose political views were close to that of yours?

As far as the political views go, I voted Republican for a lot of years. Recently, however, I've become somewhat disenchanted with the two-party political system the US favors. (Google "Scott Walker" for an example; some Americans might already know this name, since he made national news.) As a result, I find myself more of an independent these days. I even wrote myself in for President back in November as a subtle form of protest. Needless to say, I didn't win.

When it comes to discussing such things with clients, I'll consider talking to them about it depending on how they approach the subject. Outdoor activities are usually a safe subject considering my present location. Most of the people in the area where I live know one or both of my parents, so they'll usually ask me how mom and/or dad are doing.

On the other hand, when I'm approaching someone else for a service, I have one rule of thumb: I don't care about your race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or favorite sports team, as long as you have a fairly priced product or service I'm willing to spend my hard-earned money on.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

Making a political statement is a risk. I do think it can bring you business if done right. It will run off some clients but look at it this way....some people don't care so it won't hurt you with them. Other folks who do care you got a 50/50 chance of impressing them with your side. out of that 50% how many will do business with you because you agree with their politics?

Normal advertising only attracts 1% of customers but when you make a political stance I think you can easily attract 10-20% of those that agree with you.

 

[16k_zx81]

Its not something we see here in Australia - that I am aware of anyway - companies espousing a particular politic

Speaking personally - as a consumer - it would depend on the issue. If it was something I care about - then I would probably be inclined to avoid companies with an opposing viewpoint.

For issues I am neutral about - zero care factor - I would shop with them either way.

I find this an odd ploy for a company to take though - public politics - but I guess you have hit the nail on the head: if it sells, then it is in fact a savvy business decision.

Interesting, the difference between our two cultures.

No offense, but Im glad I live here and not in the USA.

At the risk of stating the obvious though, as a sole operator, I would usually go out of my way to avoid discussions of topics like religion and politics with customers. (Unless I know already that they agree with me)

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

Its not something we see here in Australia - that I am aware of anyway - .....Interesting, the difference between our two cultures.

No offense, but Im glad I live here and not in the USA.

You have no idea!

Right now two opposite sides absolutely hate each other....I can't remember it every being this bad....Rupert Murdock imported his class warfare and message of hate with is media channels and its ratcheted up the hatred....

It is probably the worst it has been since the civil war.

With heightened emotions you can easily motivate folks.

 

[hightechrex]

I don't understand. Why would you even want to?

Edit: I went back and read the entire thing. Me personally, I don't follow politics and the little that I do understand would be better off kept to myself. Not worth potentially losing clients over.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

I don't understand. Why would you even want to?

Edit: I went back and read the entire thing. Me personally, I don't follow politics and the little that I do understand would be better off kept to myself. Not worth potentially losing clients over.

Another form of niche marketing.

I'm a private pilot and own an airplane so I often market to local pilots and aircraft owners. it is a connection not every computer store in the area can do.

 

[cmonova]

Another form of niche marketing.

I'm a private pilot and own an airplane so I often market to local pilots and aircraft owners. it is a connection not every computer store in the area can do.

I am not sure what the OP posted would be considered "niche" marketing.. I would consider it more of "exclude" marketing because that is basically what you are doing.

Yes marketing to local pilots and aircraft owners is niche marketing the same as we market to veterans being veteran owned but a big difference between that and throwing our political views on everything.

 

[pceinc]

There is a difference between making your views and opinions public, and having a chat with a client about a hot topic. The later is called bonding and report and is an integral part of the sales process. The topics I try to avoid are religion and politics. However, political discussions seem to be more common due to issues that affect small business such as health care. I have yet to come across a client who is for Obama care though.

Heck, I'd love it if I had a client who is willing to talk world football. I lost count of how many times I get asked about NFL or MLB and have no idea what the person is talking about. I just heard my home state just won the super bowl.

 

[Blue]

Ours is a non-profit, so we're not allowed to do a multitude of political things, e.g. back specific candidates. It would put our 501(c)(3) status at serious risk.

That said, I'm all for logic and sanity. Therefore, I'm usually absent from political activism in this culture.

 

[FoolishTech]

I actually live in a funny area, they tend to vote democrat for local government and republican for federal. The politics here are complicated... So you never know what you're going to run in to.

At the risk of stating the obvious though, as a sole operator, I would usually go out of my way to avoid discussions of topics like religion and politics with customers. (Unless I know already that they agree with me)

So those were pretty much my views as a sole proprietor of Computer Guy in my local area, however as Foolish IT has grown and is in a world market, I don't care so much anymore, even with my local business. The problem I have is that political views tend to be so unbelievably extreme these days especially with the liberals, I would rather let it be known what I believe in and stand for, and that I'm not an extremist. I'm sure it has cost me a sale or two (ahem I'm looking at you, Built by Mom) but on the other hand I'm sure I have gained sales from it -- I figure it all balances out.

While I don't blatantly push my views on others when I can help it, there are times (like today) when I've done something like publicly thank someone for serving my country. That could get me in a lot of hot water with the hippies but hey, screw 'em they don't pay well anyway. Then there are other times when someone so extreme tries to shove some nonsense down my throat and I can't help but stand up and call them out.

Granted, your mileage may vary depending on the general consensus of your local area vs. your own views. I wouldn't expect an overly conservative area to agree with you if you were far left, for example. That would be a bad move, to state your views. On the other hand if you were the conservative then by all means, advertise it and you'll be sure to get more business. There are plenty of groups that take advantage of their stance, such as ex military and the like, and they profit from it... so why not?