Boardroom or Poker Table: How Smart Businesses Spot Opportunity Amid Change

"Vegas is the true America in another way, too. More so than anywhere else, what you find at the poker table is as close as it gets to the fiction that is the American dream. Sure, there are the players who come from money. The ones who come from educated, solid families. One has a philosophy degree from Brown. One used to teach economics at Harvard. They wouldn’t be out of place in any boardroom." – The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova

Success in business depends on understanding the customer—what they want, what they need, and how to convince them to buy into your vision. That’s why branding exists. Yet, in government, the same customer-focused approach is often missing. Lawmakers and bureaucrats are used to issuing directives, holding press conferences, and assuming the public will simply accept their messaging.

But that’s no longer the case. The modern world expects more from its leaders—both in business and politics—because people themselves are being held to higher standards in their own lives. The intersection of business and government has never been more apparent, making it crucial to understand how to adapt and thrive amid shifting power dynamics. And few understand branding and persuasion better than Donald Trump—a businessman, a former president, and, importantly, a former casino owner.

His ability to shape narratives isn’t new—we explored this in our analysis of the AP Style Guide’s shift on the 'Gulf,' where branding played a critical role in global perception.

CNN recently announced that The Apprentice is now available on Amazon Prime, bringing renewed attention to Trump’s business strategies and media influence.

For the past month, reporters have repeated the same refrain: “For 100 years, government and business have conducted themselves with a certain decorum.” But therein lies the issue—times have changed. Public perception, media influence, and the speed of information have rewritten the rules. Our systems must reflect 2025, not 1925.

The Power of the Pitch

Success in today’s environment isn’t just about having the best product or service—it’s about how well you communicate and position it. If you’re in business—nonprofit or for-profit—and looking for public funding and government contracts over the next four years, understanding branding and public relations is non-negotiable.

A lesson from The Apprentice: One challenge involved a marketing campaign for a pay-as-you-go private jet service. The men’s team, led by someone with an advertising degree, focused on technical accuracy but skipped a crucial step—they didn’t meet with the business owner. The women’s team, on the other hand, crafted a sleek, sexy image-driven campaign and built rapport with the client. When the men presented their final work, it was all bar charts and PowerPoint slides—technically correct, but utterly boring. Meanwhile, the women’s visually compelling campaign and pitch won the competition.

The takeaway? Technical precision alone doesn’t sell. Without showmanship, without pizzazz, even the best ideas can be a snoozefest.

Playing the Game

This isn’t about endorsing any political party. It’s about recognizing the landscape and adapting accordingly. For the next four years, this is the reality.

So, how will you play? Will you sit on the sidelines, or will you adjust your strategy? What cards do you have to play?

If the house always wins, the smartest move isn’t just learning how to play at the table—it’s figuring out how to appeal to the house itself. Because in business, as in casinos, the biggest wins go to those who understand both the game and the dealer.

At COMMS/NATION, we help businesses and leaders craft meaningful narratives while navigating today’s ever-evolving media landscape. Need help cutting through the noise? Let’s talk.

More about the author: Andréa M. Garcia is the managing partner of COMMS/NATION LLC, where her team builds strategic, award-winning PR and communications campaigns, helping ambitious business leaders dominate their industries. A trailblazer in communications and a dedicated advocate for minority entrepreneurs, she specializes in crafting thought-provoking leadership strategies that drive impact.