America's most respected companies have come together to help bring more business leaders into the policymaking process. At the core of Business Forward's activities are a series of roundtables and briefings taking place around the country. Since, the 4th quarter of 2009, we've worked with more than 100 Administration officials to brief business leaders in 40 cities across 30 states on economic recovery and exports, energy security, education, healthcare and immigration reform, IT innovation & cybersecurity, and open government.
Our Members
Members include Aetna, AllScripts, American Airlines, AT&T, Citi, Comcast, Dow, Duke Energy, Facebook, Fidelity, Ford, Hilton Hotels, HP, Intuit, Lockheed Martin, Nike, McDonald's, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Time Warner, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Visa, United Health Group and Walmart.
These corporations work with Business Forward to identify, recruit and brief small business owners, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs of all kinds who are looking for a meaningful way to participate in policy debates.
Several smaller firms have also taken significant leadership roles in Business Forward’s creation. Our founding small business members include Ecko/Sweat Equity Enterprises, and SecondMarket. Other featured small business members include Earth Aid, SS&K, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Kastle Systems, and Parish Capital.
Our Approach
Through conferences, press events, policy briefings and other public advocacy, we help bring new business leaders into the policy making process.
We believe business leaders can play a particularly important role in policy debates, because they understand the importance of taking a long-term view – and because employers are among the first to suffer from rising health care costs, and other competitive challenges our economy faces.
Participants
Three out of 10 of the leaders who participate and provide input to senior policymakers are CEOs or Presidents of their company; 4 out of 10 are senior executives; 2 out of 10 are VC's, entrepreneurs, and angel investors; and 1 out of 10 is a member of his or her company's Corporate Social Responsibility or Government Affairs Team.
Our Values
Our efforts are governed by four values:
Participation. With the help of America’s largest and most respected companies, Business Forward brings new business leaders into the policymaking process.
Collaboration. We work regularly with other constituencies, including groups most directly affected by America’s current health care, education and environmental challenges.
Transparency. Business Forward’s advocacy will be public, through papers, press events, member surveys, and media outreach.
Innovation. Business Forward will focus on what’s good for business, but we also believe that business leaders have a special role to play in making sure that government’s work is as effective as it can be. In op-eds, press briefings and other public events, Business Forward helps business leaders make the case for policies that help change the way government does business.
