Can You Run a Country Like You Run a Business?

I can’t vote, so I don’t waste a lot of time watching and following what’s going on with the current election.  After all, I can’t influence the outcome.

But what if we look at it from the simplest of positions.

With a political unknown and a career politician running head to head for president, who would be better at running the country. Let’s take an impartial look at the position, and consider what they have NOT been saying, relative to their inherent belief systems, personalities and life experience.

THE BUSINESSMAN

FOR

• Won’t make things more complicated with his policies and reform – it’ll be black and white, businesslike.
• Will be more focused on efficiency and effectiveness on Capitol Hill – as you would run a company.
• Won’t be offering up any ‘bail out plans’ anytime soon – you screw up, deal with it.
• Will be looking to make faster decisions on critical issues – as you have to in business.

AGAINST

• Won’t really understand the difference between bullying and lobbying until he is in his first real fight in Washington.
• Will have to earn respect, of both parties, and his international peers.
• Won’t be as articulate as a political alternative and as such may be misunderstood by the very country(s) he is seeking to engage.
• Will from time to time in his inimitable form, embarrass himself, and the country.

THE POLITICIAN

FOR

• Will know how to play the game on Capitol Hill.
• Won’t have to get up to speed with the politics of an international landscape.
• Will have the on call support of a former leader as a mentor.
• Won’t need a site map of the White House.

AGAINST

• Will be unlikely that the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the political ‘machine’ will change anytime soon. Old habits die-hard.
• Won’t see much change in the fiscal policies we’ve endured in recent years, in particular given some of her policies and the desire to continue the Democrat legacies.
• Will continue to do the typical dance of a politician by addressing issues with deflection.
• Won’t have the impartial position of an entrepreneur who has funded himself into the job.

About Troy Hazard: I am the founder/owner of 12 businesses over the last 25 years, current CEO of Troy Hazard International, author of the book Future-Proofing Your Business, and the former Global President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. I have been a franchisee twice and a franchisor while consulting with over 300 brands in 6 countries. You can find me on Twitter @TroyHazard.