Stimulating Stimulus…
Are you sick of the stimulus debate and reporting? I wish we could just get through with it. I will admit, I think it is more of a “spendulus” bill than a stimulus bill. I think it is an opportunity for those who believe government is the answer to all problems, to be able to now say, “See, we told you so, so let’s pile it on!” I disagree. I think the “see, we told you so” is partly the problem of too much government.
But enough of my political rant.
Regardless of how you or I might feel about the work of our elected officials in Washington, D.C., here is very interesting statistic.
Government vs. Business – Who Wins?
“Gov’t. Projects Seen as Better for Job Creation Than Tax Cuts” reports the Gallup organization from one of their latest polls.
“When it comes to creating jobs, Americans are slightly more likely to say that government funding of infrastructure improvements and other projects is a better approach than relying on tax cuts for individuals and businesses, according to a new Gallup Poll.”
Most business leaders are concerned about the cost of doing business. Taxes are part of that cost – you would rather pay less than more. If you have less cost in your business you can keep someone on the payroll (rather than downsizing), and you can manage your inventory and sales cycles and activity a little better.
The view of government creating jobs is frightening at best. My apologies to all of you sincere, caring employees of the government, with good work ethic, but the majority of most people’s experience (mine included) is that there is so much bureaucracy and red tape within the government that even the best-intentioned people can’t get much done, or give very good customer service. Oh, and we are your customers. Make no mistake about that (that’s another gripe I have about the government – too much a view of ‘we exist to serve them’, rather than the true position of ‘they exist to serve us’!).
I think there is a disconnect between Gallup’s “Americans” and business owners. And I do think most of you business owners are Americans.
Nevertheless, more American people think government will do better at creating jobs than businesses would do.
It’s Personal First, Then…?
Some more detail from the Gallup survey. Those surveyed were asked to identify the importance of the components or proposals in the stimulus bill.
Topping the list are (1) education, (2) tax cuts for individuals and families, and (3) money for expanded unemployment benefits.
Obviously, Americans are concerned about their personal well-being. I am. I’m sure you are. And most every business leader I talk with is concerned with their personal situation as well.
After you get past these three, which really are about giving the money directly to the people. You get (4) money to the government (for infrastructure), and (5) money to the government (for energy projects).
So what does this really tell us?
Government Wins
People don’t trust business leaders.
More people apparently trust government leaders.
People don’t trust that you, as a business leader, will act honestly, ethically, and in a way that will provide for the benefit and well-being of people in your community. That may sound harsh, and may sound like a damning conclusion, but you tell me why else more people are in support of government leaders being in control of spending the money. ‘Cause even if it’s money for an infrastructure project, or an energy project, I guarantee it will have to go through a government program, be administered by someone in the government, and be ‘watched-over’ by someone in the government.
Why is this? For every Madoff in the private sector, we have a Blagojavich in the public sector. For every Ramalinga Raju in the private sector, we have a Timothy Geithner in the public sector.
Are You Winning, or is Your Competition?
You better find out the answer to the question as it relates to you and your business. This isn’t just about whether the stimulus bill will pass a vote or not. It’s not just about whether the bill will include funding for government programs or tax relief for businesses. And it isn’t just about this one point in time.
What this is about is knowing what your people think about you as a business leader. Knowing whether they would trust you more than someone else. If the answer is someone else, you will lose them at their earliest opportunity – and they may be your better performers.
Find out what your employees think about management.
Find out what your managers think about your leadership and direction at the top of the organization.
And if you find out there is a bit of distrust, you may learn why you are not getting the “funding” of their full and committed efforts.
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