YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Recently, I spoke at a women’s networking event in the drain and sewer industry. I leaned on my role as president of Zoom Drain and Sewer, a new franchise business. The microphone was turned over to me, and I asked the audience, “Do I look like a plumber to you?”
The response, even from a crowd of women in my industry, was an outburst of laughter.
I laughed, too, and I confessed that I am not a plumber.
I don’t look like a plumber, if your idea of a plumber is a man carting around a few extra pounds and exposing a gap between his pants and shirt. Isn’t that how plumbers are depicted on TV and in magazines?
Then it hit me. I am deeply respectful and admiring of plumbers. Plumbing is a great career. Why are there so few women who chose it?
While plumbing is a physical trade, women are not physically incapable of performing the required tasks. Seems to me that nurses and caregivers have skills that involve lifting heavy objects, and knowing their way around tools, pumps and pipes. Military veterans have the mental and physical strength to do tough, dirty jobs. Restaurant workers develop muscles and customer service skills doing their fast-paced work.
We can do better. I can do better. Sadly, at Zoom Drain, while we have a woman president, we currently have zero women service technicians.
It’s time to proactively promote women in plumbing, as well as other traditionally male-dominated fields.
One way to level the field is to encourage women to claim better-paying jobs, ones that men have had pretty much to themselves.
I am now a proponent of affirmative action in my industry. By that, I mean we must do more than just allow women to become service techs. We must actively woo, recruit and entice them to join this fine and honorable industry.
We really don’t need or want the government to do this for us, though I am not against some legislative support. Business owners don’t always do the right thing.
No matter, we can increase the number of women who choose a career in in my industry and yours. Here are some ideas.
• Set a diversity goal at your company. Determine that by a specific date, a certain percentage of your team will be women and another percentage will be of a race and heritage different from the rest of your team.
• Look into programs that support and contribute money and training for developing women’s skills in nontraditional industries. Check out Goodwill Industries at Goodwill.org. Goodwill Industries “believes in the power of work” and provides customized training and employer matching programs for all types of industries. You choose to promote women, and there are organizations that will support you.
• Create a scholarship program for high school girls. And invite them to an Open House at your shop. Show them what a fine, professional, high-dollar career they could have solving problems for your customers.
• Spread the word. Technical and trade industries provide awesome careers and pay better than many traditionally female jobs – like secretarial work, manufacturing, teaching and caregiving.
No, you don’t have to hire someone just because she is a woman. However, you should start looking in new places if you want to expand and grow your company with people who have the right stuff.
Raise your hand if your company is struggling to find great team members. If you operate a contracting service business, raise your hand if you have zero female service techs. Yeah, me too. It’s time to invite the rest of the population to come to our party.
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant offering profit-building tips, trending business blogs and online workshops at EllenRohr.com. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@ellenrohr.com.
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