Small Business Week is a perfect time to engage with policymakers

Every day can seem like an adventure for small businesses, as they face unforeseen challenges and embrace new opportunities.

There is always a degree of unpredictability involved with running a business. The government should not enact policies or take actions that create additional uncertainty.

I wrote in March about the effect chaotic trade policies were having on small businesses. Things got worse in April, when large tariffs were placed on countries around the world and small businesses were left reeling by the prospect of numerous trade wars. However, just as businesses were beginning to grapple with these new tariffs, they were abruptly halted to some extent, except the tariffs placed on China.

Our trade policy lacks transparency and threatens small businesses with higher costs, lower margins, disrupted supply chains and fewer customers. The shifting landscape, moving goalposts and tremendous uncertainty over trade policy also has left small businesses unable to plan for the future. Some businesses already have seen higher tariffs affect their bottom lines.

The viability and growth of small businesses is being threatened by abruptly changing circumstances they cannot control. The small business community, however, increasingly is unwilling to be dealt this losing hand without getting into the game.

Small businesses are becoming more engaged and vocal on the issue of tariffs, and it is having an impact on politicians. This seems to be a trend on a variety of issues, as small business owners and advocates have come to the stark realization they must stand together to break through the political nonsense and rhetoric.

The small business community has the critical mass to greatly influence policymakers. The key to success on impacting trade policies, and scoring victories on other issues, is employing grassroots strategies that allow small business advocates to galvanize and engage.

Stakeholders can be most effective when they come together and create clear and concise messaging about the reasons politicians should take positions on specific policies. Maintaining a nonpartisan approach also is a great way to amplify the message. Politicians cannot take constituents for granted when they view issues through a nonpartisan lens, because they understand come election time, voters will base their decisions on actions and not party affiliation.

Politicians are concerned about the effect tariffs will have on small businesses and how their actions or inaction may not only impact their constituents, but political futures. Small business advocates should use all available resources to drive home the consequences of these trade policies, and the corresponding uncertainty, in every way possible.

Concerns about tariffs can be amplified through business owners’ and advocates’ vast networks via email communications, social and traditional media, and by collaborating with other businesses at events focused on the issue. The game plan for communicating about trade policy also can serve as a blueprint for messaging and communications on other issues, such as the impact rising health insurance premiums and unnecessary regulations have on the small business community.

Small businesses will receive well-deserved praise and accolades from politicians during Small Business Week. Small businesses, however, need more than platitudes to push through the economic headwinds that seem to be growing stronger. The small business community already has come together to make its voice heard on tariffs and it’s making a difference.

Small Business Week is the perfect time to continue pushing politicians to support their local businesses, on this and other important issues.

• Elliot Richardson is co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council.