On International Women’s Day, we celebrate and profile some of the show’s amazing guests of Scale Your Sales Podcast.
From the inception of the show, we wanted to hear women’s voices in sales, intending to have 50% women guest. To be honest, I was tired of hearing from men in sales, and the best way to make a change is to be the change you want to see. We may have overshot this aim slightly, with 41 women appearing in the 72 episodes.
Today is an opportunity to hear from 21 of the guests on the Scale Your Sales podcast share their thoughts on International Women’s Day, and in their own way, they all #ChoosetoChallenge.
Over time, I have become used to being “the only” in a room. The only woman, the only millennial, the only diverse person. Sometimes, all those things at once. But I have learned that being “the only” can be a superpower. So be yourself and believe in yourself. Do not downplay the qualities that make you unique; #choosetochallenge the status quo by embracing them to the fullest! Rakhi Voria.
Choose to challenge the box people put you in and do not allow it to limit you. Decide every day to burst out of the box, ask questions, make suggestions, and make your views heard. You might not ‘belong’ in certain circles – certain job roles, leadership levels or industries, but the positive side of that is you stand out – make the most of the spotlight on you to showcase your talent and your hard work! Suchi Pathak.
I #choosertochallenge myself to grow and be the change in my workplace. To speak out and share my truth with colleagues. I dare to be bolder this year, speak up for myself, and promote diversity in my workplace and industry. I celebrate all the women and diverse groups who strive to challenge the status quo. I am grateful for the love and passion of other women, all my role models; here embracing challenges to create something better! Camilla Hasler.
Body language is one of the principal global communication methods, its more easily transferable than the spoken word. Females naturally express their body language more than men. We need to challenge those that judge us against archetypal standards. To create a society that acknowledges diversity and recognises different behaviours by appointing women to company boards and government roles. Carole Railton.
I believe great leaders need breaks—time to rest, rejuvenate and create. #BoldLeadership I am doing that right now, and I hope you plan to take some time this year to do the same. Alice Heiman
I choose to challenge stereotypes and bias! Marlen von Roth
Sales is not something you do to someone; it is something you do with someone, but the relationship first, build rapport, and the sales will come. Nikki Rausch.
Do not celebrate closing a sale. Celebrate opening a relationship. Patricia Fripp.
Doing the right thing and taking the time to do things right always pays off in the long run. Kia Puhm.
An open mind and heart naturally choose to challenge by including ALL and excluding bias. Live your lives with openness”. #ChooseToChallenge Enza Burgio.
For International Women’s Day and every other day, let us always remember, “Women Want to Be Treated Equally…Not Identically “® #iwd2021 Judy Hoberman.
On #IWD2021, I #ChooseToChallenge everyone to actively contribute to equity — especially starting with our younger generation of girls. Giving them opportunities to dream big and make a positive impact on their community—and the world! Inspiring girls to explore their potential and become strong, independent leaders for tomorrow will contribute to equity and diversity in the workforce and beyond. Amy Franko.
I #choosetochallenge the inequality that still exists…from gender roles in homes, access to #education for #girls in cultures where this is not the norm, opportunities for those seeking #employment, and market #access for #women-owned businesses and #entrepreneurs. Women make up more than half the world’s population – we must all encourage our leaders and societies to commit to an inclusive world. Noreen Cesareo.
If women want to impact change, if we want to succeed for ourselves and others, we need one thing – to find our voice. Speak up for what we believe in, speak up to help others, and most importantly, speak up for what we want in our lives and our careers. Meridith Elliott-Powell.
What if one question could change your life in 2021? What if EVERY conversation you have could produce a better version of your future? Just pause for a moment and think of the implications of your answer… would you listen and speak with conscious intention? Would you listen more carefully to your inner conversations and ask what future are they creating? Would you approach every sale relationship and conversation with the quality of experience and the future value in mind? Bev Hancock.
You are the master of your success. Do not wait for your manager to train you. Become a student of sales. Read, listen to podcasts, join sales groups. Get an accountability partner. Hire a business coach. Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it. Alice Kemper.
One of the reasons I enjoy the profession, and it is a profession of sales because it fulfils three needs: 1. A need and desire to help others. 2. A need and ability to control one’s own destiny. “Do the work.” 3. A need to hang around fun people and sales professionals are fun! Serve, do the work, and hit the fun quota! Colleen Stanley.
We are gifted with one life to live it our way. A near-death experience, ‘irreparable broken neck,’ taught me the secret to success is: ‘Believe, Become, Empower.’ Believe you can become the person you envision, become that person, and empower others by inspiring them to do the same. Together, Yes, We Can. Elinor Stutz.
11 years ago, I quit the corporate world because the 12 hours demands did not permit me to Mother in the way I wanted. I have since built three successful businesses. I challenge rigid working conditions! The one essential thing is that working conditions allow the flexibility for EVERY person to thrive. Never let working practices get in the way of your people. Equality means adaptability. Karen Dunne-Squire.
Do your account teams include diverse members and Perspectives? Account teams are the temporary teams that are formed around an account opportunity. The most effective account teams have the correct job function representation such as AE, professional services, marketing, etc. and diversity in terms of background and experience and perspective. Do your account teams include diverse members? Lisa Magnuson.
Women Sales Pros celebrates #IWD2021 by challenging the status quo in B2B sales – we continue to showcase women in B2B sales – sales experts, their books and podcasts, and women in sales interviewed for the podcast, Conversations with Women in Sales. We look to help leaders create an inclusive sales world where our sellers reflect who our buyers are. Lori Richardson
Sales is the oldest professions – people must trade to live; it touches everyone everywhere. What would happen if we lifted every human with full access to equality and served with great humility? It really would be the greatest profession. Janice B Gordon.
The Harvard article: Why Women Are the Future of B2B Sales, quotes the 2019 Bureau of Labour Statistics that women are underrepresented in B2B sales, yet they often outperform men. According to Xactly 2019 study, 86% of women achieved quota, compared to 78% of men.
With 39% of the sales workforce women, only 19% of women hold sales leadership positions. This is not reflected in the buying side of many industries we sell into. Customer expectations of salespeople continue to evolve, and the pandemic has only accelerated buyer demands, therefore attracting and retaining more women in sales will be critical to consistently scale your sales.
Everyone can #ChoosetoChallenge the status quo; it might seem a daunting uphill struggle. But it is within the capabilities of everyone to choose to challenge. Fathers have partners and daughters, and Brothers have sisters; we are all bound to one another and bound to change for the good of all.
Let us know how you #ChoosetoChallenge #IWD2021 and please comment with these women in sales.
If you like this article, please like, comment and share, and encourage others that need to be lifted up:-)
