We have all heard about the importance of DEI – but what how can a small business owner or entrepreneur prioritize inclusion into the fabric of their business?
DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) strategies are more individualized at the level of solo business owner. But don’t get it twisted, there is still a major opportunity to make an impact as a solo entrepreneur or business owner with a small team.
First, let’s get on the same page with some shared definitions.
DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Are equity and equality the same thing? No, they are not!
Diversity means representation across age, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, religion and other factors. Think of a diverse panel of entrepreneurs at a summit/
Inclusion is what we call “being invited to dance”. Inclusion is being seen, valued and heard and it is intentional. An example would be to make sure that all training videos have captions.
Equity is fair treatment of all people, regardless of identity. Equity is tied to justice and fairness, and it is both structural and systemic. An example of this would be to give employees bonuses based on business goals or donating a portion of sales towards causes that create more racial equity in entrepreneurship.
So how is DEI strategy different for entrepreneurs who run a one-person show or small team vs a large corporation?
Large corporations rely heavily on metrics, data, and an in-house team or consultant to help gather a baseline for understanding inclusion and diversity. These larger companies gather key insights around fair treatment, policies, and programs geared towards creating an inclusive culture. It is an ongoing process and usually takes years of effort.
DEI for entrepreneurs and small business owners:
DEI looks like making accessibility a priority, being mindful of culturally sensitive marketing messages, creating policies and procedures that examine bias, and taking the time to understand their lens of the world.
The cool part is that entrepreneurs get to directly influence policy change, marketing messaging and accessibility because we are running most of the show!
Whether it is a large corporation with 1000 employees or an entrepreneur with a part time virtual assistant, inclusion is something that always matters.
We are all responsible for understand our own bias, privilege and impact that we make as individuals and business owners.
How can I prioritize inclusion as a small business owner?
It is incredibly important to realize that there is no checklist for creating a more inclusive business. Each business has different nuances, so I usually shy away from giving “one-size-fits-all” advice.
However, here are a few actions that could help on the road to inclusion.
- Review your policies for bias.
Check/create hiring policies, cancellation policies and payment terms for your service and policies. Are you taking into account lived experience and socioeconomic privilege? Now is the time to review policies and adjust as needed. If you have no policies, now is a great time to start drafting policies around programs, hiring, and collaborations.
- Check your marketing for exclusionary language.
With the rise of reels, short form video and lots of new trends, it is important to be aware and willing to take action to remove language that could be unintentionally excluding your community. If you need some help, download my Intentional + Inclusive Marketing Language Guide!
- Learn from experts/hire an expert.
If you are a business owner that has the financial privilege to hire a DEI consultant or coach, I highly encourage you to do so. I might even be available *wink wink* lol! Consultants can help you lay the foundation of an inclusive business and tailor strategies to where you are in business. It first starts with understanding your role in dismantling systems of oppression and defining your company’s commitment to change via inclusive business practices.
Does all this seem like a lot of work? It is, but it is so important! If you are a business owner who wants to learn about diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and equity, I encourage you to a[pply to my 6 month 1:1 coaching and consulting program.
Until next time!
Simone
