Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and serving customers without ever worrying about local government relations. For some it turns out okay but for others it can become a disaster. You never know when a new project down the street may call for new plans to adjust the roads or put in center medians. If you are on a busy road you rely on traffic from both directions. A five-month road project can kill a business and what if it is in your busy season. If you are in retail that could be Christmas Time; imagine half you customers not being able to turn into your driveway? Then imagine after the holidays are over you have to deal with a center median which does not allow cross-over traffic. Or a do not cross over the line sign with a police car enforcing the new laws from your drive way leading into your business?

Getting along with politicians, government officials and city employees is very important. It is impossible to get along with everyone and you dont have to like them, but you should know them by name and be involved in the events, which might effect your business. You dont even have to pretend to like them. You only need to give them the respect they crave, demand or in a rare case deserve. Try to treat them like you treat your customers.

Youll be glad that you went out of your way to meet them when something like the situation above happens, because you might be able to head off the problem early on, by a simple phone call to your local mayor or council person. All politics is local and all politicians know that. Play it smart and maintain good local government relations to protect your business. Think about it.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?