Does everyone you interview look like you, sound like you, and maybe even want to be you? If so, it’s time to rethink your hiring approach.

In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks takes a candid look at why diversity matters in small business hiring, and what can happen when diversity of thought, background, and experience disappears from an organization. Using both real-world headlines and her corporate COO background, Melissa explains why innovation, creativity, and growth depend on having a diverse team.

You’ll learn:

• Why diversity isn’t just about what you can see, it includes socioeconomic background, education, life experiences, and more.
• How a lack of diverse perspectives can limit creativity, create blind spots, and weaken company culture.
• 5 practical steps to improve diversity in your hiring:
  1. Write inclusive job descriptions.
  2. Broaden where you post and source candidates.
  3. Standardize your interview process with structured questions and scorecards.
  4. Include a diverse panel in interviews.
  5. Track applicant and hiring data to uncover unconscious bias.

Melissa also connects today’s hiring challenges to what’s happening in government, showing why protecting diversity of thought is vital—not just for society, but for the long-term survival of your business.

👉 Whether you’re hiring your first team member or expanding a growing company, this episode will help you attract the best talent and build a stronger, more resilient business.

To learn more about how On Call COO can help your business: Https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices

To learn about working for On Call COO: https://www.melissafranks.com/careers

Connect with Melissa:

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Schedule a call: melissafranks.com