Environmental protection:
The planet is suffering and CO2 levels are higher than ever before in human history. There’s no doubt global warming is real and that humans are the cause. Also, no one argues businesses don’t have to use green policies to reduce carbon footprint. The issue is the rapid introduction of rules without a flexible alternative.
Yes, solar energy is an excellent way to power the office and save the planet. However, the majority of SMEs can’t afford the cost of installation. The same goes for wind power and hydroelectric energy. A government may provide subsidies but the expenses don’t clear for years. A small to a medium-sized firm that is already on the breadline is bound to struggle with the extra debt.
Business fraud:
A regulation which deals with fraud shouldn’t be anti-business. OK, some companies that engage in illegal activities won’t like it, but they are in the minority.
For the most part, legitimate business owners try to run a tight ship which complies with the rules. Thanks to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, it is getting harder and harder for firms to comply, though. The initial problem is the time-consuming nature of the crypto regulations. Because it attempts to cut out a whole of fraudulent activities at once, the red tape is extensive. Many critics think there should be an easier and quicker way to comply. More importantly, there are complaints which state it doesn’t work. Reuters points out that only a handful of people have been indicted since the act was signed into law. That was 15 years ago when George W. Bush was in power.
Pro-business examples
Health and safety:
“Whoa, wait a minute and let me process this information. You mean health and safety rules are helpful?” Yep, you got it in one. Across the industry, businesses see H&S as an unnecessary evil which is raging out of control. Once a person trips in the workplace, a lawsuit gets filed and the company has to defend itself in court. For one thing, it’s not true as not every person who has a trip of fall sues. Secondly, it promotes a culture of safety within the workplace.
The best employers’ health and safety procedure guidelines cover every base. More than that, they encourage cooperation throughout the organization. With the whole team looking out for hazards, there should be fewer incidents. And, if there are fewer trips and falls, there will be fewer lawsuits.
Small business loans:
Big companies don’t have a problem getting a loan. They call the bank manager and get the agreement sanctioned within a matter of minutes. SMEs have it differently because of a lack of cash flow.
Also, having a bad credit rating doesn’t help the cause. With a conventional lender such as a bank, no money and no trust results in a firm rejection.
Thankfully, new lenders are making it easier for small businesses to secure finance. Some don’t even care about the firm’s credit score. Governments could succumb to pressure to ban payday lenders but are regulating the sector instead. These people know money is essential to the survival of the business middle-class.
Patenting and trademarks:
Often overlooked, patents and trademarks are vital to protecting a company’s intellectual property. It’s a fact that rivals steal information and ideas to steal a march on their competitors. And, they don’t care about being subtle as long as it makes them money.
The initial aim of patenting arms around the world is to stop this from happening. Once it has an official patent or trademark, other companies can’t use the idea without your approval. At the very least they should have to pay money as a form of compensation. There is another benefit which isn’t as apparent: creativity. Because an organization can’t steal, they have to come up with new and engaging ideas. Sure, it’s harder than copying a strategy that works and milking it for money. But, it creates a positive culture in the long-term.
The bottom line is simple: some policies work and others are not as helpful. However, one thing to keep in mind is the intention. Almost every regulation is there to either help companies or its employees.
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