Do you know and understand the needs and motives of women in network marketing or MLM? Is network marketing for women? Are there special considerations when talking to and working with women personally and in business? Do women really communicate that differently than men? Today I read on the Direct Selling Women Alliance web site that there are 14 million people in direct selling in the United States and over 55 million worldwide doing an estimated 97 billion dollars in sales. 79.9% of all direct sellers are women. It seems to me with statistics like that, these are questions one should seriously consider.



I personally have found, working with women in my organizations, they are more communicative, more open to share their goals and motives. I have been told on several occasions that they hope this business is a way they can show what they are capable of. I guess I can identify with that, because I feel like this business is a great way for me to show some of my untapped potential. Again on DSWA it says woman see direct sales as a unique and empowering profession. I think the bottom line is that if you are in tune with or at least open to women's ideas, thoughts and needs, you are going to be much more successful in providing your organization what they need.

10 years ago, I read an article about women in politics. The article said that women in Washington were remaking more progress in furthering their goals and agendas then male politicians. It said that these women were being less dogmatic and more flexible: being more open to the process of give and take they were having more success advancing their agendas. It said that they were reaching out to their opponents and trying to find more collaborative solution. Saying things link, "You want this, and I want that, so what can we do to find some common ground?" Or asking questions like, "What areas do we agree on so we can get something done."

Not having firsthand experience serving in Washington, I will have to take the article at face value, but I do know that the lesson has always stood out to me. For this reason, I have always described myself as a collaborative thinker. Once I explain to people that I don't expect them to be good at everything, but instead be willing to work as part of the team, explaining how we can draw on their strengths, and build upon their weaknesses.

This usually help people feel more comfortable, giving the chance to be themselves and bring in fresh ideas. This always adds positive things to the work at hand. I have noticed that some people in the past have perceived this as weakness, but usually it's the results tell the full story in the end.