Impact of "Invisible Work Force" Could Determine Election: Findings of Leading Consulting Group Raise New Issues

An under-reported and often underestimated group could constitute the pivotal difference in a tight November Presidential Election. Members of the Society for Advancement of Consulting have identified the small business/solo practitioner as a primary victim of today's onerous health costs, and this group may vote as a block.

"With all other elements close," says SAC CEO Alan Weiss, Ph.D. "our members tell us that their small business clients have no issue with more relevance to them than health care and associated costs." This group comprises a far larger part of the economy and voting population than is often believed.

"Watch for the impact of the 'invisible work force' of the self-employed to have an impact in this Fall's Presidential election," says Teri Lonier, President of Working Solo, Inc. in New Paltz, NY, "particularly around the issue of health insurance. Seventy-five percent of small businesses in the United States have no employees (SBA 2002 data), and millions of solo business owners are feeling the pinch of health care expenses. These individuals are not often represented in general demographic polls or major trade union policy statements, but they will be raising their voices -- and casting their votes -- this November."

SAC members report that this group is virtually unapproached by traditional political campaigning, and may be a "single issue" voting bloc.

"What's more," says Dr. Weiss, "they cut across ethnic, geographic, and gender lines. They probably will respond more strongly to business concerns which unite them than other concerns uniting them with other demographics."

SAC is an association of solo practitioners in various consulting disciplines with members in six countries. For more information contact info@consultingsociety.com, http://www.consultingsociety.com, or 800/825-6153.