ClearTech Gets Recertified as a WBE Women-Owned Business November 2024
Among ClearTech’s achievements over the past year, obtaining WBE recertification as a Women-Owned Business stands out as a significant accomplishment. The credential is important because it communicates valuable information not just about WHO we are, but WHY you’d want to do business with us. ClearTech founder and president Christina De Bono explains.
First, what is WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) Certification precisely?
It’s a recognized and respected certification for women-owned businesses. The certification was granted to ClearTech in 2012 by the Supplier Clearinghouse representing utility companies and other corporations in the State of California. To be certified as a WBE, the business has to be at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women.
Why is that important to a prospective client?
WBE Certification is important for a number of reasons. First of all, to become certified – or in our case, recertified after initially achieving WBE status in 2012 – we had to undergo a very thorough vetting. It included a review of business documentation, a site visit and more. The process is comprehensive, and certification is granted only to companies that that are well-run, well-capitalized and stable. So if you’re looking to engage the services of an integrator like ClearTech, WBE Certification will provide significant reassurance that we are an experienced, established partner. It tells you that we have the appropriate technical certifications in our field. It lets you know that we are licensed and bonded, operationally and financially sound, and can be counted on to deliver on our commitments.
WBE Certification is not a rubber-stamp pseudo credential. It’s hard to obtain and we are proud to have it.
Aside from providing reassurance that an integrator is on the up-and-up, are there other benefits of doing business with a WBE Certified integrator?
Oh, yes. Consider the fact that many corporations, government agencies and educational institutions have supplier diversity programs or requirements. Partnering with WBE-Certified businesses allows a client to meet those stipulations while preserving access to top-tier talent and services.
Your business may not have diversity regulations per se, but perhaps you have a CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in supply chains. Choosing to partner with a company like ClearTech aligns you with CSR initiatives.
Let’s talk about ClearTech specifically. How does being women-owned make your company more attractive to prospective clients?
Clients have told us that ClearTech brings to their projects a perspective that other technology providers sometimes lack. That perspective helps us develop solutions that truly meet their needs, advance their strategies, and sync with their cultures.
You know, women – and minorities in general – are not well-represented in the AV industry as a whole. Right now, I think only about 9% of our industry are women, with very few in executive and management roles. But women introduce a dynamic perspective that give you a fuller picture of today’s workplace. In ClearTech’s case, our team is very diverse including a lot of young people who have chosen ClearTech as their career destination.
I would make the argument that the diversity of our organization enables us to develop solutions that are truly in tune with our clients’ cultures and their fast-evolving workplaces. ClearTech’s technology expertise is unquestioned, but beyond that we have real insight into the needs and preferences of end users and stakeholders. And that insight drives technology adoption and long-term ROI.
Our strength lies in providing clients with AV solutions that truly meet their needs, and to that end the diversity of our team’s insights cannot be underestimated. WBE Certification is an integral part of what enables ClearTech to support our clients in creating adaptable, productive environments that enhance every interaction.
