Reshared post from +Lynette Young
Someone very recently said to me that I was easy to do business with because I have the temperament of the 'girl next door'. I was also told that I come across as a pushover. For the record, that was BEFORE I had to put on my big girl pants and get down to business. I was then referred to as a 'shark' and 'deceptive'. Why? Because I was misleading by being nice, and once again was referred to as being the 'girl next door'. (Trust me when I say the gender issue was at play here as well.)
By the way, I got the deal exactly as I wanted. No compromise on my end because I was confident of the value I brought to the table and I was willing to walk away. Every time that happens (yes, it happens to me enough to make a note of it) this is what goes through my head:
Billy Joel – Pressure
But here you are with your faith
And your Peter Pan advice
You have no scars on your face
And you cannot handle pressureThe naive view that they are in control and offer the only value in an opportunity tells me that the person has no true and varied business experience (no scars). I work razor sharp under pressure and I know how to apply it. As a self-employed business owner, this is what I personally need to do to stay afloat and above my competition.
I don't bring this up to flaunt my business chops. I know how to compromise. I know how to walk away. I know how to see that an offer has no immediate payoff, but future gains. The question is, do YOU…
1. Know your value and do not belittle your worth?
2. Jump in with discounts and price reductions? So oftenpeoplewomen go and automatically offer a low price because they are timid to ask for what they are worth or what others in their industry receive.
3. Equate nice with naive? They are not the same.
4. Assume you always have the better offer, value, or opportunity? You don't. Know the difference.Okay, that's off my chest now. I can go back to being the "sweet shark next door" that gets business done!
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If a man was acting the same way as you (shark) it would be seen as a great asset. Perhaps because they do not feel they have to smile and play nice also? There are many aspects at play here that's for sure. Keep on trucking Lynette, all is good.
Excellent post. It reminds me of my Grandmother, she was a strong business woman. Many saw her as a "B".. She saw herself as an Entrepreneur, in the end, she worked her way to Millionaire.
You bring up some great points, but I also think a lot of your bullet points are gender-neutral, as well.
I've run across several individuals (men and women) who provide great service or produce fantastic work; but because they lack self-confidence they'll immediately offer a discount or provide additional services if they perceive even the slightest bit of hesitancy from the other side.
I used to do many of the same things in the past, then I ran across 'Think and grow rich' by Napoleon Hill and it really revolutionized my thinking.
+David Pavlicko gender-neutral I agree. The only point of view I have to come from is mine 😉 I have also witnessed that men doing business with men do a different 'dance' than when men do business with women. Not always, but again, from my point of view.
"If they call you a b-
–, it means you're inconvenient to them and probably doing something right."I think most men see this and know it, but don't really have the ability to feel it as women do. It's hard to explain and I think Lynette did a good job at explaining it. Also, +Lynette Young you have great musical taste!! 😀
Mega applause!…In the end you are the only one who will remember your successes and failures so stake your claim. I am considered by most to be "Mr. Nice" (even called that). But I can tell when I am around someone who will take advantage of my predisposition. I always keep my shark teeth in my back pocket. If I were a female I would keep them in my hand. I left Neverland a long time ago.