NFIB: Helping Small Businesses
NFIB and Small Business Advocacy
Introduction by Melanie (NFIB)
- Melanie, representing NFIB, seeks input from business owners regarding legislation impacting their businesses.
- NFIB testifies on these issues and needs the business owner's perspective.
Key Questions for Business Owners
- What federal issues are of most concern?
- What state issues are of most concern?
- What is the single biggest issue of concern today?
- How many people do you employ?
NFIB Overview
- NFIB is the largest and most influential business organization in the U.S.
- It exclusively advocates for independent business owners at both state and federal levels.
- Represents diverse independent businesses of all sizes.
- Politicians recognize NFIB's representation of the entire small business community.
NFIB's Actions and Impact
- Members vote on ballots (state and federal issues) that affect business profits.
- NFIB takes action by:
- Testifying before Congress and state legislatures.
- Fighting in the courts.
- NFIB provides a report card on how elected officials vote on issues important to small businesses.
- Major news outlets consistently rate NFIB as the most effective business organization in America.
- NFIB fights to protect small businesses in state capitals and Washington D.C.
Membership and Investment
- Business owners join NFIB to level the playing field with big government and big business.
- Membership investment is based on what the business owner feels they can invest (up to a maximum of 15,000).
- NFIB is a nonprofit organization with a one-member, one-vote policy.
- Recommended investment is based on the number of employees.
Call to Action
- NFIB asks business owners to:
- Vote their ballots.
- Display the membership plaque.
- Show they are doing their part to protect the American free enterprise system.
- Request for business card or email to enroll the business owner.
Addressing Hesitations
- If the response is "I need to think about it":
- Inquire if they believe in what NFIB stands for.
- Determine if the hesitation is due to the amount or the decision to join.
- Suggest starting at a modest level for the year.
- Offer 12 months to evaluate membership materials.
Onboarding New Members
- Guidance to open the welcome email and register.
- Assist with setting preferences to receive relevant information.
- Encourage voting the ballot immediately to capture the member's opinions.
- Congratulations and thanks for becoming a new member.
- Provide updates pertaining to the small business.
- Instructions to search for NFIB on their phone.
- Presentation of the membership plaque and decal.
- Notification of a welcome phone call.