Salesperson Gender

Hi All

In the thread entitled "Trainer in Training" jamiserene posed some questions and made some statements to the forum. One dealt with her management team thinking her gender would be an asset to the position.
AZBroker asked the question "Do you and your sales manager feel this is an "asset" to a sales trainer?"

His question made me think about the female salespeople I have managed. I also thought about the ones in another industry or business that I am aware of. I have made the statement many times that female salespeople have an "intuition" we men simply do not posess. I am certain we all remember our Mother having that special "intuition".

I find that females are absolutely terrific salespeople because of it. In addition, we men often times do not seek advice or help because it's just not what we do.

One thing women have to develop is the balance required to be a successful salesperson, wife, mom, girlfriend, housekeeper,head cook, etc.

Truth is in most instances after the work day is done women, in the majority of households, go back to their "other job" of running the household. Pretty easy to see why many of them battle fatigue and a feeling of not having enough time to accomplish everything.

I would be interested in seeing your thoughts about the other qualities women posess that make them great salespeople.

Originally Posted by Masteri5 I have made the statement many times that female salespeople have an "intuition" we men simply do not posess.

I would agree that great salespeople, men or women, posess an "intuition".

AMEN Masteri5 !!!!!

People, men and women, are individuals. Grouping one sex together and making generalizations never panned out for me personally.

I am in full agreement Iceman, yet I was able to relate with the comments of masteri5. Yes, we all have our strengths & weaknesses as individuals

I know I'll probably take some heat for this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I sell to a male dominated customer base (IT, Telecom, some Facilities Managers) and I have noticed that females are somewhat more successful in opening doors than males. After the door IS open, their advantages tend to even out some. this leads me to believe that despite the best efforts of some, human nature almost always wins out.

Men, almost without fail, are initially attracted to a woman who shows interest in what he is doing. I am not sure the reverse is true. I think this is mostly because men and women are wired differently than one another.

Let the flaming begin.

jrdickens

I hope no one flames anyone here. I really had second thoughts about posting my original comments for that very reason. So far it seems everyone has taken it as I intended.

The post by AZBroker I mentioned is what got my thoughts turning. I was simply looking for feedback on the qualities, such as the "intuition" I mentioned, that women have that we men do not ( and perhaps vice versa would be fair as well) that make them, in many cases, such great salespeople.

Originally Posted by jrdickens I sell to a male dominated customer base (IT, Telecom, some Facilities Managers) and I have noticed that females are somewhat more successful in opening doors than males. After the door IS open, their advantages tend to even out some. this leads me to believe that despite the best efforts of some, human nature almost always wins out.

I think you are right about human nature and opening doors.

P.S. I watched a video clip yesterday where an attractive women in a min-skirt walked past two monks and the monks turned their heads to check her out.

Originally Posted by jrdickens I know I'll probably take some heat for this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I sell to a male dominated customer base (IT, Telecom, some Facilities Managers) and I have noticed that females are somewhat more successful in opening doors than males. After the door IS open, their advantages tend to even out some. this leads me to believe that despite the best efforts of some, human nature almost always wins out. Men, almost without fail, are initially attracted to a woman who shows interest in what he is doing. I am not sure the reverse is true. I think this is mostly because men and women are wired differently than one another. Let the flaming begin.

I do believe in many cases women have the advantage , as men seem to be more receptive to "interest"- real or otherwise...but then I guess if we know how to "play the game", all's fair in love & sales

Originally Posted by Renee I do believe in many cases women have the advantage , as men seem to be more receptive to "interest"- real or otherwise...but then I guess if we know how to "play the game", all's fair in love & sales

Some might think the qualities culturally associated with females such as empathy, co-operation, etc. would give women a natural advantage in sales but I haven't seen that to be the case. However, I can see how some women might have an initial advantage when approaching certain male prospects due to sexual attraction.