Commentary

When The Business Of Politics Ends Up In Business

Countless political issues today are playing out on a digital stage, and brands previously mum on politics have cautiously (or bravely) entered the fray. While it is courageous, these decisions put brands at risk, because their public commitments on social issues and their political endeavors may be in conflict.

Recently, the CEO of Expensify sent an email to all its 10,000,000 email subscribers with a strongly worded message encouraging a vote for Biden. It was reported that the company took a vote of its employees to vet the email action before sending it. The move has been both criticized for its inappropriateness and praised for its candor.

Likewise, Goya Foods was singled out when its CEO appeared in the White House Rose Garden with President Trump. Reaction was swift -- with Latina supporters of Democratic candidates posting videos throwing out the company’s products, while Republicans were making videos filling their grocery carts with Goya foods.

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Other businesses on both sides of the political aisle have had similar challenges. For example, SoulCycle fitness faced quick backlash and celebrity boycotts after its CEO hosted a high-dollar fundraiser for President Trump.

The practice of businesses supporting and donating to to politicians is as old as time, and it is largely for pragmatic reasons: One of the two candidates is going to win, and the business wants to be well positioned. But this election is like no other, and brands that might have typically quietly donated to both parties are taking their stances in a much more public venue.

That means consumers and company stakeholders are getting a much closer look at the inner workings of business and politics. It also has put consumers in the driver’s seat of aligning behind brands that reflect their values.

Expensify has come under harsh criticism for the potential risks of lost customers and revenue. Goya Foods’ 15 minutes of fame was not a good investment. Apex Marketing Group, as reported by NBC News, found that just $10 million of Goya’s free publicity was positive -- while the value of the company’s negative PR was $47 million.

I'm not suggesting that companies and leaders stifle their political beliefs. The important lesson lies in making sure that in whatever way you demonstrate those beliefs, you prepare your brand for the consequences of those actions.

Smart leaders prepare and plan for this kind of exposure. Having language around why the company takes the stands it does, and why it supports the issues and candidates it does, is essential. Being transparent and straightforward in responding is a must. And being hyper-aware of the values and beliefs of stakeholders -- whether they be employees, customers, board members or local communities -- is smart.

The ability to connect with stakeholders and to align company decision-making with the values and actions of internal and external audiences, is the best path to survival in these tumultuous times.

1 comment about "When The Business Of Politics Ends Up In Business".
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  1. Ronald Kurtz from American Affluence Research Center, October 28, 2020 at 3:34 p.m.

    Why would a public company, that does not know the views of its shareholders/owners, want to engage opnely in something as potentially controversial as politics?

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