July is the month where we celebrate our independence in America. Upon revisiting the contents of our beloved Declaration of Independence, it becomes clear that much of the purpose behind it is to protect businesses like yours.
If your business is one that has survived over the last year or so, you realize that your company’s rights have been threatened, more than protected. As such, we have pulled a few of this nation’s founding principles that were meant to help you succeed. This season is an opportunity for you to reflect on how you’ve defended those rights, even in the midst of contrary and restrictive times. That steadfastness has likely been a key factor to your survival. It would seem that now the business restraints and mandates have given way to more freedom to run your business and succeed on your own (at least for a time).
Your perseverance is the stuff that America and Americans are made of. Here are a few excerpts and thoughts which come to mind. Remember that the original document was targeting the king of England, but the contents are applicable, regardless of the person or people in charge of a governing body.
1776 Declaration of independence excerpt 1-
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Business Application-
Whether you are a believer in a supreme Creator or not, it is certain that an external power in government is not to be your supreme leader as a US citizen and businessperson.
1776 Declaration of Independence excerpt 2-
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness.
Business Application-
Running your company during challenging times, you may not have had the opportunity to actually institute a new government, but the manner in which you govern you company has been largely up to you. If mandates and restraints have hampered you, you likely have found creative ways to put your customers at ease.
Seeing restaurants or physical fitness companies, for example, conduct business outside in the open air or within tents were innovative ways to accommodate your customers or clients. This effort resulted in two things. First your patrons appreciated your efforts regardless of their acceptance or denial of mandates. Secondly, as many businesses faltered, your conscientious efforts will pay and are paying dividends as restrictions lessen. Well done.
1776 Declaration of Independence excerpt 3-
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies…
Business Application-
During this strange time, a business’ freedom to do one thing or another may have had everything to do with often arbitrary community or city or county or state mandates or other restrictions. While an individual company, business or corporation may have a little sway on a state or county wide level, their leverage within a community or city has been known to impact local restrictions and mandates to their benefit.
More than once it has been observed that when companies and patrons or even parents ban together, restraints have been minimized or curtailed completely. This is often because, on the smaller scale these groups of freedom fighters can impact the reputation and even salaries of the people in their communities. This offers a tremendous amount of leverage. Kudos to those of you who have made such stands.
1776 Declaration of Independence excerpt 4-
Note: We will conclude this blog comparing the Declaration of Independence with our declaration of independence (and even interdependence) among surviving businesses. Because of time and space restraints, we offer this closing Declaration of Independence excerpt and application:
(In) the name, and by authority of the good people of these Colonies (businesses, companies, and corporations, we) solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies (organizations) are…free and Independent… (And) have full power to… establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states (organizations) may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
Dear reader, having confidence that doing the right thing will inevitably win out against those who intend inappropriate restraints against our businesses…your customers, clients and peers hold you in the highest esteem. Thank you.
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