Developed as part of the Shared Success Demonstration, this tool offers guidance for business advisors at CDFIs on how to have conversations with small business owners on job quality improvements. It centers business value and includes a variety of information and resources to assist business owners in addressing poor job quality. The tool revolves around two central questions:

• How can implementing certain job quality improvements help business owners achieve desired business outcomes?
• What strategies can be used by business advisors to demonstrate how these outcomes may surface?

This tool also encourages CDFIs, who mainly work with business owners, to consider the perspective of the business employees themselves. Ultimately, there are many opportunities for small businesses to improve the quality of jobs of their employees as part of their work in building a successful business.

For additional resources, on the six categories of job quality detailed in this tool, visit the Building Shared Success topic guide in our Job Quality Center of Excellence.

About Shared Success

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program is partnering with 11 CDFls for Shared Success: Scaling Financial Intermediary Strategies to Advance Job Quality, Equity, and Small Business Prosperity. This pilot, supported by the Gates Foundation, focuses on advancing job quality among small- and medium-sized businesses.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program hosts a variety of discussions to advance strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. To learn about upcoming events and webinars, join our mailing list and follow us on social media.