If a country was a company.

It's been difficult to avoid talk of politics recently. Blue versus red here and across the pond.

Every day I talk to business owners about business problems and business opportunities. We don't ever really cover the basics. The foundation-level idiots guide to running a business. Because the founders are all very good at what they do.

But watching the UK election and subsequent 100 days, and now the US election battle, it feels like the world of politics could potentially use a refresher course.

I know there is a massive difference between running a company and a business. But some of the fundamentals might not be too different.

Anyway, just in case any of our esteemed politicians happen to be subscribed to my Linkedin newsletter, I thought I'd cover off some Early Learning Centre level tips.

1. Talk about yourself, not your competitors.

Has anyone in the business world ever bought anything from a sales person that talked badly about their competitors? Rule 1 in sales school surely. Focus on talking about what you can offer and what you want to achieve, rather than belittling your competition.

From watching various debates in the US election, I have no idea what either party are offering. Just what they don't like about their opposite number.

2. Feedback is a gift

If your competitor has a great idea, you don't write it off. You either copy it, or refine it. But you very rarely hear a political party read their oppositions manifesto and say "they actually have a few good ideas that we'll implement too if we win".

As a voter I'd much rather whoever wins implements all the best ideas, no matter who thought of them.

3. U turns are a superpower.

The term u turn is declared negatively whenever a political party change their mind about something. But surely if they decide something and then discover it's not the best thing to do, they should be commended for changing their mind?

4. Don't rely too heavily on a small number of clients.

If 10% of your customers (citizens in this case) provide 60% of all the revenue (or tax) you're in a tricky spot. You'd struggle to get a company acquired that had a revenue split like that.

You would certainly treat those largest customers extra well, even though it wouldn't be popular with the smaller customers. But business is business at the end of the day.

5. Keep check of your mounting costs.

In a company, you have 2 options to grow margin. Revenue is one of them, but cost is the other.

You would focus on both, even if it made you unpopular.

Businesses need to make big, hard decisions for the benefit of the future business. We saw big tech cutting 10% of their workforce in one go. Brutal for the employees involved, but I'm not sure if any of us have seen Google, Meta, Amazon working any less well since. But their bottom line is much more sustainable.

I'll go back in my founder box now and leave the world of politics to the experts. But I'll be sure to watch any future debates, just to try and spot if any of them have picked up a tip or two.