People all around the world were glued to their televisions this morning to witness the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. Barack Obama has a lot of weight on his shoulders but his ascension to the highest office in the land has also created some rather interesting business opportunities. There are a lot of products that bear his likeness, as well as a push to sell his books. The American Way would show us that when there is a buck to be made, someone is going to make it.
That’s all well and good, but what if your business has absolutely nothing to do with politics? It’s one thing to capitalize on this enthusiasm and energy by selling Obama-themed merchandise, but what if you sell widgets (or web hosting)? A question that some companies have faced for these last few months has been whether or not it is appropriate to publicly exclaim their political inclinations. Even though it may be popular to support Obama, obviously not everyone voted for him and not everyone approves of him.
In this way, while you may think that you are capitalizing on a business opportunity by proudly displaying your support for Barack Obama, you may also be turning off potential customers who are not quite as thrilled about the new POTUS. Outward displays of your political affiliation may be appropriate in your personal life, but it may not be appropriate for your business.
What’s your take? If you are a business owner, have you made any outward displays of your support (or lack of support) for the new United States President?
Atniz
January 20, 2009 6:51 pm
I’m a business owner too and I don’t go with politics. It may help in some cases but in long run, it is not healthy for business. Well, this is my point of view.
Minnesota Attorney
January 21, 2009 8:30 am
You raise a good point about the marketing concerns of a business with involvement in politics. There are also legal concerns. In an effort to prevent businesses from improperly influencing politics, the United States government regulates business involvement. While selling merchandise related to a president-elect would generally be okay, using a corporate blog to support a candidate for public office is generally not allowed. The safe route is to keep your business out of politics. If you want your business to be involved in politics, or if your business makes money from political products, an attorney can guide you to ensure legal compliance.