Are You Disturbed by the Sound of Silence?
Have you had private conversations lately where both you and the other person agreed on an opinion with societal consequences, but dared not to share those thoughts on social media?
Given the state of the world, you had already decided the backlash of public scorn isn’t worth it.
You have better things to do than being a target for on-line trolls who are going to grab their pitchforks and point them in your direction.
Easier to keep your head down.
Keep plugging away and doing your thing.
Especially if you’re responsible for leading and running a business, where there is an overflowing, full plate of responsibilities.
Responsibilities that include ensuring you turn a profit to pay staff, keep the lights on and invest in future technology to sustain the enterprise over the long haul. Responsibilities that include remitting taxes from those profits to pay for institutions and infrastructure that support a civilized, progressive society.
So how are you supposed to respond when you see the very fabric of that society ripped apart by confusing, contradictory positions taken by those elected and appointed to lead?
Those who have been elected to public office or promoted to high-ranking public servant positions bear a heavy responsibility for the repeated communication and regulatory mishaps that have been with us since Day One of this pandemic. However, with guaranteed salaries streaming into their bank accounts, they’re not nearly as responsible for slip-ups, hiccups, and snafus as a small to medium sized business owner who is never in a position to make those same mistakes. One false move, one high-profile lapse in judgement, and a small business owner feels an immediate, devastating impact at the cash register and on the balance sheet.
It’s become glaringly apparent that much of the economic burden of COVID-19 has been dumped on the doorstep of small businesses battling hard each day just to keep their doors open.
And they’re not being heard.
Because they cringe at the very thought of being publicly shamed, judged, labelled and accused of being selfish.
Which is why it takes real courage to be a small business owner like Kyle Shewfelt in Calgary, Alberta. Despite incredible red-tape roadblocks placed in his way, Kyle has been moving heaven and earth to continue serving his customers and community in a positive fashion. If you want to know more about what he and his team are up against you can click here.
Meanwhile, in Fredericton, N.B., small business owners Jeff and Emily Alpaugh are no different than thousands of other entrepreneurs who have put everything on the line, only to receive a phone call from an anonymous government employee demanding that they close shop for 14 days. What follows is a disturbing account of what’s happening at street level in terms of how public policy is being communicated.
Finally, the story of Adam Skelly might be a little unsettling for those who have little time for vocal rabble-rousers. Skelly is the restaurant owner in Etobicoke, ON who is feeling the full force of the law since publicly challenging the restrictions in place that forced the closure of his establishment. Hotheads and hellraisers have been around for centuries. Agree with their approach or not, agitators and shit-disturbers always draw attention to glaring inequities in public policy. I may not agree with everything Skelly stands for, but I do find it troubling that one of the conditions of his bail agreement is that he is forbidden to communicate on social media.
Early on in this pandemic, it was evident that small business owners were going to take an unusually large hit. Many companies would have no choice but to close. Millions would be laid off. There would be real casualties with too much pain and heartache to go around.
It was clear to see back then that the small business community would need a tremendous amount of support and understanding; especially from the leaders elected to make the rules and ensure a level playing field.
Entrepreneurship has always been the single most powerful economic and creative force on the planet. Entrepreneurs have always generated the most value, productivity, and happiness for the highest number of people on the planet.
Kyle, Jeff, Emily and Adam are just a handful of folks from Canada’s small business community that are part of the largest force for good the world has ever seen. But, even in the best of economic times, it’s a lonely journey.
They need to know they are not alone.
If you are equally disturbed by the sound of silence that many in the business community are adhering to, this is your chance to speak up on their behalf.
The only thing that allows an oppressive force to succeed is when good, upstanding people lay low and stay silent.
Remaining quiet can leave an impression that you’ve granted permission for the oppression.
We all have a voice in how the small business community is treated. I have decided to use mine to show solidarity with those who feel they have no voice because of the social and financial repercussions.
I have said my piece.
Now it’s your turn.
“Some regard private enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look upon it as a cow that they can milk. Only a handful see it for what it really is--the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.” WINSTON CHURCHILL
p.s… If music can be used as a weapon to support this fight for the equitable treatment of small business, you might become a soldier for the cause when you absorb the message from this cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic.
p.p.s … In case you were wondering, Paul Simon really liked what the guys in Disturbed did with his music.