According to Wikipedia, an entrepreneur is, “a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome.”
In the world of entrepreneurial ventures, there are many women but far more men. In the specific arenas of internet marketing and inter – network marketing most of the people you see at the top are men. What is that about? Are men more capable than women in this area?
I think think not. In fact in this article I am going to make the case that women in general have a better grasp on the fundamental skill sets that are needed by entrepreneurs, than they are generally given credit for.
Again from Wikipedia: “Entrepreneurs choose a level of personal, professional or financial risk to pursue opportunity.
Entrepreneurs tend to identify a market opportunity and exploit it by organizing their resources effectively to accomplish an outcome that changes existing interactions within a given sector.”
My hypothesis is that men are more visibly particularly in the internet entrepreneur world due to a number of factors. The most visible internet marketing men dove into the industry in their 20’s and have spent countless hours obsessively immersed in the mind-set and technological minutia of online marketing. Many (though not all) of those that are most familiar to many, were able to do this because their other responsibilities at the time were not great. Specifically no families and no children to care for on a daily basis. Those who did have children and families also had a wife.
I am not trying to be sexist here. There is a reality that is just fact. But here is the flip side. The fortitude, multitasking abilities and communication skills that are necessary to succeed at the highest levels of entrepreneurship and to sustain it for the long-term, are those that women are particularly well suited for.
Sticking with the world of online marketing in the network marketing arena, women have what it takes to be on top of this world. Technological knowledge is important, but more important is the ability to interact well with others. Network marketing is a people business and many people in the industry need and benefit from an understanding mentor to hear their needs and respond with a mixture of compassion and action oriented education. In my experience with my team, women grasp this manner of relating more easily than men. The men I work with want to focus on the hard skills, while the women enjoy the casual conversations and the consultative method of developing relationships.
Women first entering the network marketing and internet marketing world, might be overwhelmed by the prevalence of men at the very top levels and wonder if in fact they have what it takes. In my humble opinion, women have what it takes in multiples. Throughout history, women have been the strength, the rock, the person who held the family together through great hardship and trials. Women are uniquely qualified to create a vision and then see it through every step of the way, from birth to maturity. Isn’t that what we do as mother’s throughout our lives?
In the definition above, entrepreneurs succeed “by organizing their resources effectively to accomplish an outcome”. As women and mothers our lives are spent organizing resources..many resources for many people all at one time. We have the ability to herd 4 children into the car all equipped with lunches, water and sunscreen within just a few minutes, all while holding a crying baby and cleaning dirt off the cat’s feet. Some men can do this as well – of course they can – but many (like my husband) prefer to steer clear of that type of situation and arrive after everyone is buckled in and happy.
Women do not need to posture and be the “alpha” in the same way as men. The competitiveness is not as much in our nature, thus making powerful collaborative efforts, that much more productive and sustainable. Working collaboratively in this 21st century economy is the keynote to success. Do women entrepreneurs have what it takes? Absolutely!!
Share your powerful woman story in the comments below!!
Coaching both privately and in groups, Deborah is also a speaker, author, event leader and consultant. Creator of the Foundation and Framework Intensive, Question Master and Leader of the Entrepreneur Business Success Club, Deborah has been called an “Architect of Magical Business and Soul Structure”by her clients because she has a powerful ability to perform alchemy, changing passions and dreams into money and time by design.
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How great to see validation for how much women entrepreneurs get done, especially while balancing family and children.
There is a great book by Margaret Heffernan,”How She Does It”, in which she found that
* 40% of all privately held U.S. firms are owned or controlled by women
* Women’s companies are responsible for more payroll than all the Fortune 500 companies combined
* Women’s companies are growing profits faster than all firms
What is behind this growth? Heffernan explains that many companies aren’t meeting the needs of women (and mothers) as far as a flexible work schedule and the ability to work from home. She also says that many women get frustrated working for companies they feel don’t respect or listen to them. These factors are forcing women to find new solutions.
Thanks for raising a great subject Deborah!
Cindy..
Those are great stats that you shared. I am going to read that book by Margaret Heffernan!!
Thank you,
Deborah
oh my gosh, Deborah! I have been STRUGGLING with this exact thought in my mind.
I read an article that said, “You can be a success at something if someone else has done it. Find a mentor and emulate them.”
I don’t say this to make excuses, but I don’t see any top internet marketers that are A) Women and B) Have families and young children at home, especially if they aren’t building a business WITH their husbands.
The biggest conflict with my business and my family is consistency. With 3 young kids, it can be very challenging to do the same thing, at the same, for more than 2 days in a row. 🙂 And we know businesses NEED consistency to grow and thrive.
Regardless…I still know I can be successful and I will find a way. Thank you for justifying my thoughts and helping me feel not so alone!
To Women & Success!
Kari Baxter, Renegade Marketer Pro
you make some great points. It also depends though on the business you are in. Because of my product line my company has far more women in it than men. In any case, women have a unique contribution to make. I also helped start a women only networking group in my area a few months ago and I highly recommend that anyone else who wants to connect with more women does this.
Annalaura,
Thanks for your thoughts. There are many network marketing companies that have more women than men, and a much more female oriented product line. Yet we still see more men in the Corporate Roles and more men rising to become a public name in the internet marketing arena. I think women totally can change that…and show their power to other women. That is what a group I am presently working with is doing with a website and show called Good Day Mompreneur. We will be visible in about a week…you’ll enjoy!
Deborah
Great thoughts Deborah. I have often wondered the same things… where are the women?
We all know men are by nature more competitive and I think therefore, they feel more comfortable coming on video being more agressive and powerful. This isn’t to say that women are not comfortable in front of the video, but just being more nurturing by nature, women have a softer tone, or more motherly style of presentation. Haven’t put my finger on it exactly, but goodness… if anyone can help these women rise to strong online presence and leadership, it’s the strong ones willing to show them the way… 🙂
Strong ones like you Debbie!
Best,
Deborah
Hey Deborah,
I struggled with this also, and sometimes still do. Feeling those limiting beliefs of a woman not taken seriosly online… Being in another male dominated world. I have always been attracted to challenge in that kind of world. When I was in the military, I was the only female jet electrician… Then I was a mechanic for a few years.. I love always showing the guys up. Now trying to come into this industry, it’s a bit tougher. Yet I see that I’m not alone. It’s woman like you and Debbie that keep me climbing my mountains…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Toki Tover
You are not alone Toki. Many women of our strength often find ourselves in “male dominated” worlds, and then struggle with the love of the challenge combined with the unique and wonderful qualities we bring to the table. I love seeing young women like yourself feeling powerful and taking decisive action!
Keep Going!
Deborah
PS..Emergency Preparedness Kits are ready (http://bit.ly/bHDIv6) Scroll down to see them.
Is this the ladies room or are men allowed? Great article Deborah. I have always believed that women are more suited for network marketing than men. For some of the reasons that you stated.
They are more skilled at multi tasking, organization, communication, time management and creativity. These are all qualities that you need to be good at network marketing/entrepreneurship.
When it comes to network marketing women dominate the industry because it is tailored to women. The technical end of online business can be learned by anyone.
You make a good point about men diving into the industry at a young age and having fewer family responsibilities.
There was a time when a woman’s job was to raise the kids, do the laundry, keep the house clean, make meals, etc.,etc. BUT “you’ve come a long way baby!”
Now men play a bigger role in raising families partly because more and more women are working to help pay the bills. So we’re seeing more and more women rising to the top and I think that’s great!
A while back I wrote an article on Women in Network Marketing. If I may I’ll share it here.
Thanks
James
http://www.attraction-marketing-techniques.com/women-in-network-marketing/2009/9/14/women-in-network-marketing.html
Men are absolutely allowed James!! I really appreciate your thoughts. This was not meant in any way to be anti-male as much as to motivate women to really rise up and show their stuff. We need more women like Ann Sieg, to rise to a very high and respected position in the industry…taking on a leadership role and inspiring, teaching and training.
Thanks for sharing the link to your article.
Deborah
Thanks for your thought-provoking article Deborah. My company does have some top-earning women, but saying that most of the top-earners are mainly couples. However, I feel that network marketing is evolving to be more about realtionship building and coaching. Whereas NWM needed the alpha types in the beginning to get the business off the ground, now it needs more women to keep it growing. And it can be a struggle for women with young families which is why I think the internet is so useful – it can be used for building the business 24/7. So when the children are resting or at school or out with friends, women can go online and use their time efficiently.
I have almost finished reading ‘No Size Fits All – from Mass Marketing to Mass Handselling’ and what I got out that is that NWM is definitely the place to be and we have to find our niche.
LOVED this post!!!!! I really do believe that women are up and coming in this industry. . . well, the lucky ones, who have an amazing husband like I do who shares in the “motherly duties” of the household. Cooking, Cleaning, Changing Diapers, Brushing Teeth, Baths, Jammies, Laundry, Vacuuming, Vitamin Time, . . .
Allowing, us the opportunity to use our inherent abilities that are so in tune with social media marketing and multitasking etc.
Great Info!!! Thanks Deborah!
Thanks Deborah,
Bravo!!!
I`m extremely passionate about this subject, and totally agree with you.
Have a look at a blog I wrote some time ago…when I was just taking my first baby steps online:
http://osnatbresler.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/the-shifting-role-of-women-in-business/
I look forward to continuing this discussion 🙂
Osnat Bresler