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I have a new venture with a potentially significant market in the US. In preliminary activities I have been working with a potential partner. As can be expected with any partner there are strengths ans weaknesses. It has gradually emerged that this person is very forthright with his views on politics and religion. It seems he never heard of the principle of not mixing business with religion or politics, he actually mentions his views at every opportunity. As a European I find this pretty shocking and am inclined to end the partnership.

I am interested to find out what US business people think about this. The likely customers are US government organisations. Is a person who is "broadcasting" his political and religious views going to alienate people or might it actually be an advantage?

(please state if you are from US or have experience of working there when you reply)

I completely understand your feeling. Here in Europe, business and religion are not connected, and we don't like to mix our thoughts about business with our faith. You need to understand that people from use are too straight away and don't change their opinions. If you want to grow your business in the US, I find that your partner's principles can work in profit, especially if you are opening in the more conservative states. As I have been told, many US government organizations have Christian people running the budgets. About religion in the US and finding a new business partner, you can read and specialized Christian church site firstchurchlove.com.

I don't think this is a normal practice in the US. I personally have never seen this here in the US.

I am from Europe but have worked in the US before. I have also talked to Business people on both continents. I actually had a very similar experience, with US Partners being generally more open to discussing their personal views on politics, religion, and sports.

I feel that they may want to build trust and rapport. For them, building relationships is key, and being able to discuss global topics shows that they are knowledgeable, witty, and potentially respectful business partners. Once again, talking from my experience.

Interestingly, while studying for my Business bachelor in Germany, I recall a professor telling me to never bring up these three topics in an interview or even in conversations outside of the work sphere.

Hey there! It's understandable that you're concerned about your potential partner's inclination to mix business with politics and religion. In the US, it can be a sensitive topic, and opinions vary among business people. While some might appreciate openness, others may find it off-putting, especially in government organizations where neutrality is often valued. It's important to consider how this partner's behavior might impact your venture and the perception of potential customers. Ultimately, it's up to you to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision that aligns with your goals. If you're interested in staying informed about the US political landscape, you might find some interesting insights at https://www.politiq.net/US_President_Re ... ction_2024.