What Do Women in Business Really Want?
Posted by Vicki Donlan on Mon, Jul 12, 2010 @ 05:30 AM
Listen up America! Women in business want to be heard. Women in business want to be taken seriously. Women in business want their time respected and their questions answered. Women in business are responsible for most of the changes that have occurred in the business world in the past two or three decades. Yet, too many businesses and/or business people still haven't gotten the message. Women in business not only have money to spend with vendors, they are the decision makers for the spending in most of the companies they don't own.
Let's look at the power and influence of women in business in America today. First, women own close to 47% of all the small businesses in this country. When you add in the businesses they own with a spouse that number jumps to 50%. Owning half of the small businesses is important as it translates into the responsibility of hiring the majority of the workforce. Yes, women's businesses aren't Fortune 500 companies, but they employ more people than the Fortune 500 combined. And, in this economic condition, women's businesses are more likely to hire people than the Fortune 500. Small businesses are also more responsible for the buying patterns needed for business needs. They tend to buy from each other and become loyal to those who buy from them. Women understand how difficult it is to win an account and grow and they will work to spread the word on companies that support their growth. Yes, women in business are responsible for as much as 85% of all consumer purchasing. And, that includes B2B as well as B2C. If you win her business and respect her loyalty you will be the beneficiary of her spreading the word to friends and associates.
Finally, women in business are known for asking a lot of questions. It is part of our nature to want to know as much as we can about a product or service before we buy. If you want to sell to a woman in business be prepared to explain carefully the what, when, how and why of your product or service. It matters.
HIRE VICKI TO SPEAK AT YOUR NEXT EVENT!