Just an opening thought for you too ponder…. the Direct Selling Association, referred to as the DSA says that in 2008 87.9% of the distributor force were women. Leaving 12.1% of the distributor force being male. On a side note, ever seen a .1% of a man or .9% of a woman?
So let’s round up; 90% of the distributors in this industry are women. Yet, when I scan the top companies of the direct sales and network marketing industry, the majority of master distributors and top leadership are men? Why is that? Now, in your particular company that may not be the case, but in the top 20 companies it is.
There is no doubt in my mind that men and women build their business differently. It took a while for me to realize that. But it is true. Women are emotional builders, we nurture our business like the mothers we are. We give birth to a new distributor and spend forever with that new distributor teaching, molding, enabling and gently pushing them into distributorhood. Women focus on the product/service first. We will show and demonstrate why our product/service will help that person.
And I’ve heard each criticize the other; some men think women waste too much time molding, while some women will accuse men of making quick business decisions. Product vs business. One of the oldest debates of our industry and the topic for another blog post.
But I go back to the original issue. If the majority of the distributor force are women, why aren’t the majority of master distributors and top leaders women? And better yet, why are most of the industry top trainers men? When the majority of their audiences are women? Why aren’t there more women professional trainers? I am beginning to think there is a super secret entry qualification of either being bald or over the age of 50.
Here is what I think…
I think men know that the majority of their businesses are women and they like it that way. Like a king with a harem of queens. Keep the queens busy with tasks and lots of children to take care of while the kings go and make those decisions that only kings are confident they can make. Sure, sometimes a woman comes along and shakes up things for the kings, and watch the kings sit uncomfortable at their throne. Sounds sexist. And it is meant to be. Look, when I started in my network marketing career I was told all the great stuff too, about this was the best way to own your business, be your boss, yada, yada, yada. But in reality, even as an independent business owner, we still hold ourselves accountable to others; our sponsors and mentors, our teachers and trainers. And if my point is right, we hold ourselves accountable to the majority of men that are master distributors and top leaders.
Women need to wise up and stop mothering their distributors if they want the shift to happen. I think a woman can make an excellent master distributor and top leader, if they can learn to balance the two qualities; making those hard business decisions, and cutting the umbilical cord, while providing the new distributor the basic skill set to get them walking on their own without smothering them. Learn how to be a man distributor whose on a all-natural-estrogen-wild-yam-cream-supplement. Find the balance, and you’ll find the path to the top. Come on gals, shall I get Sally Field to draw a sign for you first?
Or maybe I’m totally off base…. what do you think?
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