The owner of Optimized Air HVAC in Round Lake Park believes that the true strength of his company lies in the diversity of his workforce. As small businesses across the country grapple with implementing diversity initiatives, Optimized Air HVAC stands out as a prime example of how embracing diversity can lead to success, even for smaller enterprises.
Key Points for Small Businesses Embracing Diversity:
- Committing to diversity requires honest self-examination
- True inclusion is an ongoing process, not a one-time effort
- Developing internal metrics to measure progress is crucial
While large corporations can allocate substantial resources to diversity efforts, small businesses face unique challenges in implementing these initiatives. Entrepreneurs must balance diversity considerations with other critical tasks such as marketing, hiring, and financial management. They often grapple with questions like: How can we ensure our marketing materials reflect inclusivity? What’s the best way to build a diverse team with limited job openings? Should diversity be a priority for us right now?
These were precisely the questions that Kevin, the 31-year-old co-founder of Optimized Air HVAC, had to address when he helped establish his company in 2023. After working for 15 years with a major HVAC contractor where leadership diversity was lacking, Chen decided to create his opportunity.
“I knew from the start that diversity would be a cornerstone of our success,” Kevin explains. “Round Lake Park and the surrounding Round Lake area are incredibly diverse, and I wanted our team to reflect the communities we serve. But with only a handful of positions to fill initially, I had to be strategic about building the diverse team I envisioned.”
Kevin’s commitment to diversity spans racial, gender, and generational lines. He believes that a varied team brings different perspectives, which is crucial for problem-solving and innovation in the HVAC industry. “In our line of work, we encounter a wide range of situations and customers. Having a diverse team means we’re better equipped to understand and meet the needs of everyone we serve,” he says.
The push for diversity in small businesses has gained momentum, especially since the events of 2020. Kelly Yeates, Vice President of Service Operations at Insperity, notes:
“We’ve seen a significant shift in how small businesses approach diversity, equity, and inclusion. Previously, many felt it was only relevant for larger companies. Now, businesses of all sizes recognize its importance.”
To guide small business owners on their diversity journey, diversity strategist Melanie Miller offers seven key steps:
- Examine your own biases
- Distinguish between personal preferences and business imperatives
- Invite diverse perspectives to review your business practices
- Provide diversity education for all employees
- Be aware of cultural blind spots
- Regularly evaluate hiring practices
- Understand the difference between company culture and strategy
Miller emphasizes, “It’s about ensuring everyone gets what they need to thrive, which differs from a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Optimized Air HVAC, has implemented several strategies to foster diversity and inclusion. They have partnered with local vocational schools to offer internships to students from underrepresented groups in the HVAC industry. The company also conducts regular diversity and inclusion training sessions for all employees.
Kevin acknowledges that building a truly inclusive workplace is an ongoing process. “We’re constantly learning and adapting,” he says. “It’s important to be open about the challenges and to involve the entire team in our diversity efforts.”
Tiffany Bussey, Executive Director of the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, highlights the business benefits of diversity:
“Diverse teams are better equipped to understand and serve a diverse customer base. When businesses see their bottom line improve as a result of their diversity initiatives, that’s when these efforts take root.”
For Optimized Air HVAC, the focus on diversity has indeed paid off. The company has seen steady growth since its inception, with customer satisfaction rates consistently above industry averages. Chen attributes much of this success to the varied perspectives and skills his diverse team brings to the table.
As small businesses like Optimized Air HVAC lead the way in implementing meaningful diversity initiatives, they’re proving that size is no barrier to creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. By reflecting on the communities they serve and fostering an environment where all employees can thrive, these businesses are not just doing good – they’re setting themselves up for long-term success in an increasingly diverse marketplace.
