CHICAGO — Are you for good government? Of course you are. But are you for better government? According to Leslie Waters, a former legislator with the Florida House of Representatives and a political grassroots facilitator, if you’re a business owner — big or small — better government is in your best interests. 

Ray Pohlman and Lisa Waters do the "Waters Wave."

But what is good, or better, government? "Good government is not the gray granite buildings in your state capitals," Waters said during a panel presentation with Ray Pohlman, vice president and government relations director for AutoZone, at this year's Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). “Good government is not keeping your fingers crossed and sitting on the sidelines and hoping your legislator will do the right thing. It is not. Good government is the elected officials who threw their hat into the ring, but it is also you. Government is people. Elected officials are people. They are your government. You need to know who they are, and to build a professional, business relationship with them."

According to Waters and Pohlman, one of the most important things a company can do to impact their business is to make government affairs an integral part of their strategic operating plans. The plan can be as simple as keeping a list of all elected officials — local, state and federal — on hand and encouraging employees to write letters or call legislators to discuss issues that are pertinent to the business and its bottom line. Or, it can be as elaborate as hiring a dedicated government relations director to keep tabs on officials and contact to educate and inform them when issues affecting the industry arise.

Sound complicated? It doesn't have to be. In fact, many of the trade associations and business groups that business owners can join already offer some manner of government affairs support as a membership perk. Granted, Pohlman admits that most businesses don't join a trade association for that reason, but says that almost all businesses do like someone watching their backs and “tempering the foolishness that is termed 'good government.'" 

“Politicians need your votes. You and those who think like you have the power,” says Pohlman. “Your vote is the currency that they are really looking for and desperately need. Your vote should be tied to their willingness to hear about your needs and your customers’ needs. You need to build relationships with those who represent you at all levels of government.”

A simple formula to follow while implementing a political action plan within your business is Waters' patented, tried-and-true “GET” plan. In other words: “G” stands for getting your employees involved in the political process so they can talk to elected officials about industry issues. “E” stands for educating and energizing employees who affect your bottom line and encouraging them to participate in the process. And “T” stands for thanking the employees who have helped you contact legislators, as well as the legislators who have supported your cause.

“So now, GET moving,” Waters says.

According to Waters, elected officials represent the people who vote them in and keep them in office. So there's no use in complaining that the political process is distasteful — it's the cost of doing business. Paying attention to your government officials and building a political action plan into your business is not only a necessity — it’s a requirement.

“It's your responsibility as business people to keep an eye on politicians who have your vote,” Waters adds. “Do you know the name of your state representative? If you don't go home and find out. It doesn't matter if they are a Democrat or a Republican. After they are elected, they represent you, and the issues that matter to you.”