Are you a business owner that also enjoys a good political discussion?
Even if you answered “yes” to this question, it’s probably best for you to keep work and politics separate! After the 2016 Presidential Election, the United States was very divided politically.
In fact, 40 percent of voters living in homes where people voted different in that election have had a major or minor problem about political views.
If political discussion is causing problems in divided families, why would you want to bring this into play with your business?!
Read on to learn the 3 most shocking reasons why politics destroy business reputations!
1. Negative Association
One of the ways politics can hurt company reputation is that most people have a negative perception of politics.
Seventy-four percent of Americans believe that elected officials put their own interests before those of the citizens they represent.
This negative outlook on politics and government can have an impact on your business. Especially if you are outspoken for one candidate or political party over another.
Politics can make for an interesting talking point. Butyou risk driving away current and potential customers because it can be a polarizing subject.
If your internet business has The North Face sale ongoing, you don’t want to miss out on sales because of a poorly received political comment you made.
2. Misinterpreting Your Message
Corporate reputation is crucial to being received well by your customer base and potential clients as you grow your business.
Your reputation is built on the products and services you offer, as well as the way you treat your customers. But when you start sending messages to clients of a political nature, you are at risk of those being misinterpreted.
In the event that your message is not well-received, you can face backlash in the form of negative publicity. That bad press can also result in driving down sales of your product or service.
3. Exploitation Concerns
Expressing one political view over another may help your company, depending on the industry you are in. But if your views are not perceived as genuine, it could cause you some trouble.
After all, your brand is an important element of your success. This means that you should avoid giving the public any opportuntiy to second guess the genuineness of your company.
Topics in political news can be hot button issues for talking heads and others. But talking about them can create a controversy about your business. When you stay away from politics, people will keep their focus on your products and service.
Wrapping Up: The Importance of Protecting Business Reputations
Business reputations are an important aspect of running successful companies.
That’s because having a good reputation can earn you the respect of someone else before they ever consider working with you. Political talk may break you away from the day-to-day operation of your business.
But because of their sensitive nature, you should avoid making an issue out of it at work.
Although skipping these talks is a good idea, it doen’t mean you should miss out on them when you are away from work!
Check out our blog post on the latest information about the Trump Administration’s immigration policy!
