Restart Your Startup: Navigating COVID-19 with an Eye on Diversity
Restarting Operations Efficiently
- Keep the Door Open: Maintain operations remotely to keep employees engaged without in-person commitments. This ensures continuity and reduces employee turnover due to uncertainty.
- Leverage Technology: Use collaboration tools effectively, especially video calls for team meetings, to keep everyone connected despite physical distancing.
Fostering Diversity Within Your Team
- Reflective Hiring Processes: Post-hire, conduct inclusive interviews that focus on skills rather than background. This helps create a more diverse environment from the start.
- Mentorship Programs: Implement structured mentorship with experienced leaders to guide new hires and ensure cultural fit while promoting growth.
Leverage External Resources for Diversity Support
- Diverse Branding Efforts: Highlight diversity in marketing materials, especially post-pandemic. This not only builds a stronger brand but also reinforces values internally.
- Support Underrepresented Founders: Partner with organizations that invest in diverse startups to amplify their voices and offerings.
Maintain Progress Toward Equity
- Commit to Growth Goals: Focus on inclusive hiring and development plans to bridge gaps, ensuring long-term equity despite current challenges.
- Advocate for Change: Work with local organizations like the NAACP or Women-Owned directories to source resources and support small businesses led by diverse groups.
By integrating these strategies, startups can not only survive but thrive during the pandemic while championing diversity and inclusion.