By Erin McCallum & Betty Nokes
Many people are calling this an “off election year” and not thinking about politics or who is running for office. But don’t forget, 2011 is a year where hundreds of city and county council, school board, fire district and water district seats are on the ballot.
Amid a $5.1 billion state budget deficit, we need good people in local positions who understand how to budget for short-term challenges to maximize long-term opportunities. As Washingtonians, we should work collectively, and encourage more people from the business community to run for office.
One of the best ways to quickly improve the business climate in our state is to focus on recruiting local business leaders with experience and knowledge from the private sector to run for public office, much like other interest groups in our state have done. It is often overlooked that hometown private-sector employees and managers have the exact experience and skill-set to be effective elected officials. Consider this list of six reasons:
1. Business owners and employees cannot bow to only the most powerful, but instead must do what is right for their customers, in this case: voters.
2. Private sector employees must carefully balance short- and long-term needs to ensure survival, and are held accountable every single day by the choices of their customers.
3. Private sector employees must be keenly aware of their competitive position, and always adapt to change.
4. Business leaders are not swayed by emotions or the loudest voice in the room, but instead operate on sound data and performance-driven results.
5. They understand budget sustainability and know a successful organization must live within its means.
6. Business owners and employees understand that investments must have a strong potential for Return on Investment, and are held accountable for their decisions.
If you’re a business leader, take some time to consider sharing your management, budgeting and performance-based skills and expertise. Our great state and local communities need you.
Erin McCallum is president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Enterprise Washington (www.enterprisewashington.org) and the Business Institute of Washington (www.businessinstitutewa.org), which both help companies and employees better understand how elected officials establish public policy, and to become more involved in the political process.
Betty Nokes is the president and CEO of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce (www.bellevuechamber.org). The Bellevue Chamber serves as the voice of business on the Eastside.
