Small Business Today Magazine SEP 2014 ELP ENTERPRISES | Page 34

EDITORIALFEATURE

Business Networking & Sex –

Not What You Think! 
By Gail Stolzenburg

W

hen I was growing up, most women were homemakers
and when they did get a job it was as a teacher, a secretary, or a nurse but seldom in sales.  Today, the workforce
is divided almost evenly and according to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 12% of women in the workforce are in sales
as compared to 11% of men in the workforce.  With such a level
playing field, one might think that neither sex is more successful at
networking but that is not the case.  As it turns out, women are! 

At a recent networking event, I observed men and women
doing and saying things differently.  A man crushed a woman’s
hand, bragged about his business, and asked about doing business
together, although they had just met.  The woman asked what he
liked about his business, if he had a family, who did he want to
meet, and where else did he network.

That story pinpoints the major difference between the sexes:  Men are transactional and women are relational.  I know this
is changing but it’s moving much too slowly.  Here is what I’ve
learned over the years:

Women want to discuss problems

Women are comfortable expressing their feelings

Women like to talk about issues

Women build relationships

Women are better at sharing a dialogue

Women like to connect

Women want to immerse you in their world
This information is based on a survey that was conducted over
a four year period of 12,000 business men and women (approx.
50/50 split) who were asked simple questions about business networking and sex.  The study is explained in “Business