Ladies: 3 Strikes to Your Business Game

Ladies: 3 Strikes to Your Business Game

There has been an extraordinary movement over the last seventy years or so of women in business industries, and I am grateful to be able to hold a position in a company in the way I do, thanks to the many pioneers before us. We have the right to equal employment opportunities, wages, and training. Women hold numerous managerial, executive and C-level positions. However, we all know that it’s still not easy being a woman out there– but it sure can be fun if you’ve got thick skin!

Yes, there are many advantages to being a woman in a predominantly man’s world, but you have to use them in a delicate balance. If you’re a pretty blonde, you fight the stereotype of being the butt of some blonde jokes (which happen to be some of my best ones – and my scapegoat for some ‘moments’ I may have- no offense). Depending on the industry, some women even find themselves being labeled based on a presumed sexual preference or ethnicity.

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There also seems to be some sort of competition between businesses for the most attractive, therefore assumedly most productive, marketing girl. Still, there are many of us women in the industry like myself with enough experience and intelligence to be referred to as more than just ‘that marketing girl.’ We find ourselves constantly having to prove to be otherwise – why is this so quickly assumed?

Professionals In Training

There have been three young women in the past seven years that have come to work with me in the marketing arena. All three were young – ages 25-32; two of them had some sort of higher education. And honestly, all three were very beautiful girls with many attractive features – physically and mentally.

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As different as they were the one thing they had in common was their lack of experience socializing within a professional business atmosphere. They were previously in hourly jobs that required them to be pleasant and helpful, but more on a consumer level. Interacting as a representative of a company that is seeking potential business was a foreign world for them.

Being social is a skill that can be learned and adapted, but there are inherent parts of the socialization process that some people all together lack. These girls had the tools, they just needed to know how use them – professionally. It’s a very fine line to walk as women in this whacky world.

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Batter Up

First impressions are a true make or break situation. It’s extremely difficult, most times impossible, to rebound from a botched first time encounter. From the very moment one of these women meet a potential business partner and/or client, there are three strikes automatically against her:

  1. She is a woman – the obvious.
  2. She is young – anywhere under 40 can lead to undermining experience and intelligence.
  3. She is attractive – attention could be drawn elsewhere.

In baseball, this combination is an automatic strike out – done, game over. But if you are aware of this going into the game, there’s a chance you can avoid the quick double play. You can’t take away the strikes, but you can use them to your advantage.

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Game Recap

Women by nature can be just as successful, if not more, than most men. Their heightened sense to nurture is an important feature of building relationships that most men cannot fulfill. Most women have an innate ability of being more detail oriented and on-task then most men as well.

The opportunity for women to achieve on all levels is there – it’s just a matter of finding the balance of your abilities to get you there. Women have to realize is that it’s OK to use your most attractive and best features to initiate conversation or land an introductory meeting. However, it’s how you present yourself from the moment you get there that will determine your success.

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Continue being fabulous.

 

So ladies, continue to be beautiful, smart and funny. Join a networking group, mingle at happy hour, and get involved in social activities. Just be careful to keep a balance of professionalism at all times – especially during happy hour!

The world is still full of unfair stereotypes and judgment that need to be overcome. It’s our duty as women in the professional world of this day to continue on the path that has been set for us with strong leadership and integrity. It’s our responsibility to pass these values on to the gals coming up behind us, and I look forward to them showing us exactly how it’s done.

 

 

TifDip is a digital marketing consultant with a unique perspective on social media. Follow her on Twitter as she continues to bring a new twist to her coverage of the health industry, sports and other eclectic passions.

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