What statements do we hear from many policy makers, business haters, extremes of the left and right and vested interests? Statements used to justify: extra red tape; poor behaviour from unions and big businesses; or complicated compliance demands include those below:

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"When you go into business, that’s what you sign up to."

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"When you go into business you know what you are getting into."

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"If you can’t do it you shouldn’t be in business..."

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"It’ll only take five minutes..."

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"How hard is it?"

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"It’s their own fault if they fail."

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"Business is hard, suck it up."

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"Small business people need to become better managers."

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"Small business people need to do as they are told."

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"It’s easy! All you have to do is _____"

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"If a small business falls over, it's OK as there will be another one to take its place."

(This statement was made by a person who claimed to represent small business).

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"Small business people who are unhealthy or obese shouldn’t be in business."

This statement came from a person who declared themselves

 

 

"Small business need to become better at (Insert issue from list below*).

Normally the people who make these statements have no idea but want to either make money from small business people or to introduce new legislative demands.

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*Hiring staff, firing staff, accessing finance, dealing with theft, managing staff, contacting customers, managing their own health, managing recalcitrant employees, managing a website, using technology, paying superannuation, cashflow management, paying tax, accessing the right accountant - the list is endless.

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The above statements are also made by people who have never run a business or want to make money from small business people. These statements show at best a complete lack of understanding of the world of small business. At worst it shows a lack of care for business people and their families and employees and through that a very shallow understanding of both economics and society.