The Columbus Chamber and Capital University have partnered to bring the first business-themed podcast to Columbus. During cbuzz, Columbus-based brand journalist Mikaela Hunt will speak with local business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders and allow them to tell their story and highlight their organization, while further inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit that is buzzing in the city.
Women make up 52 percent of the population of the City of Columbus. Their well-being impacts the community’s well-being.
Building on Mayor Andrew Ginther’s neighborhood-driven administration platform, Columbus First Lady Shannon Ginther decided to make the economic well-being of the city’s women and families her crusade through the launch of the Columbus Women’s Commission.
Ginther enlightens listeners to the drive behind the organization which launched in 2016. A year of listening to the community provided the commission with four core pillars: gender equity; safe and affordable housing; health and nutrition; and workforce development and childcare.
When women in Columbus earn 78 cents on the dollar that a man earns – below the national average of 80 cents – the Columbus Women’s Commission made gender and pay equity their first area of focus through the Columbus Commitment.
A voluntary pay equity pledge for Central Ohio employers, “By signing the pledge they commit to look at their data, participate in our best practices learning collaboratives where we bring in national and local experts who are working in this issue of pay and gender equity, and then implement some of those best practices in their own companies to change their story around pay equity,” Ginther says.
The Commitment launched just over a year ago with 65 pledges. That number has grown to 150.
“This community is ready to have this conversation,” Ginther says.
One of the companies to sign the Columbus Commitment is CoverMyMeds.
During the podcast, COO Michelle Brown discusses CoverMyMeds’ commitment to equity that goes beyond just pay. From employee resource groups to sponsorship and mentorship, CoverMyMeds creates a culture that helps women advance in their careers.
Ginther and Brown discuss how other businesses can take the first steps to recognizing equity, or lack thereof, in their workplaces. Brown encourages small businesses to start the right way. Take a simple look at their numbers. Then, move beyond numbers to asking questions like, ‘What does your employee base look like and do your senior leaders reflect that base?’
Ginther also stresses the importance of collaboration. As much as the Columbus Women’s Commission looks to be a leader, they’ve taken the time to learn from partners who have done it well.
Listeners can find out how they can continue the conversation by tuning into the full podcast!
Never miss a cbuzz podcast! Visit the Columbus Chamber website for more great stories and advice from local business owners.
— The Columbus Chamber of Commerce offers news, information and other resources that are free and available to all businesses at columbus.org. —