Hi, everyone,
I was surprised that there hadn't been any panels/discussions about business from a progressive perspective on the YK06 schedule, and by the time I brought it up to Shanna (the panel organizer), it was too late to set one up. But she recommended posting this as a diary for YearlyKos 2007 topic ideas.
I realize that many of you are experiencing "continuous-panel fatigue" from YK06 (not to mention "thrill fatigue"!) -- and, frankly, I'd been planning to go home and give myself a few days to recover before getting started on this project. (I do have twelve months, after all -- but I am sometimes a bit of a procrastinator!)
I was advised, however, by a number of enthusiastic business people (who, after I made an announcement about it, made a beeline for me with business cards in hand) that it'd be good to post a diary about this right away.
(Please follow me over the flip...)
Contrary to popular belief, many people in business -- and many small business owners -- are progressive, or at least moderate enough to want to see some change in our political landscape.
I strongly believe that it's crucial for progressives and liberals to embrace the concepts and ambitions of business, with regard to both large and small businesses. Creating wealth generates political influence and enables us to fund the causes we believe in (such as YearlyKos) and purchase ads in media like DailyKos and Air America Radio.
I run a small business, and I'm hoping to organize and moderate a panel on business, which would be open to:
- business executives in medium or large companies
- small business owners or managers
- entrepreneurs
- business students (and teachers!)
- anyone else interested in various aspects of business
Discussion topics could include:
- networking with other business people (the forum itself, as well as an evening social mixer, would provide an excellent opportunity for such networking)
- organizing for more political and economic support for small businesses (such as single payer health care, small business loans, microfinancing programs, etc.)
- establishing an online community for progressive business owners and managers
- socially responsible capitalism
John Arensmeyer, founder and chair of Small Business Majority (whom I'd met during the Howard Dean campaign in San Francisco) is enthusiastic about this idea, and we agreed to touch base about it soon. It'd be great for him to talk about small business issues.
I'd hope to get at least two "big players" (founders/execs of companies with big name recognition), and I already have a few potential contacts to follow up on. (Whoo-hoo!)
Fortunately, we now have twelve months to organize this thing (!), so if anyone is interested, please contact me (or post a reply here). It'd be great to get business people of all stripes involved. I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Sincerely,
Mariva