5 Reasons Women Are Naturals At Going Global
Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and becoming a major force both in the traditional and the new global e-business marketplace. Even though the business world demands that we leave a lot of unworkable behaviors and attitudes behind, the emotional sensitivity and the capacity for human connectedness usually attributed to women can be very useful in business negotiations. Let's have a look at five reasons why women are naturals at going global and how absolutely indispensable they are in international business:
1. We are more attentive and supportive toward others.
We are socialized to give care and support to the people close to us (primarily husbands, lovers and children), and we often extend this care-taking impulse to people outside our family circle. It can serve you well in foreign business, too. You wouldn't want to upset or offend a foreign associate, but how do you know what offends? All you can do is be gentle, gracious and respectful, and let them guide you. When they see that you are committed to their comfort and happiness, they're likely to forgive your minor blunders and keep negotiations moving forward.
2. We study people, "read" their behavior and make judgments.
We're concerned about why people do and say what they do. Men don't always notice. Women do because we want to act effectively in the interpersonal world. We've developed an instinct for taking accurate readings in a hurry, and acting accordingly. Trust that instinct. Where language and cultural barriers hinder communications, it might be all you have. Don't let anyone disparage your impressions because you can't produce empirical proof. They're based on a lifetime's experience, and that's all the proof you need. Women let their instincts help them chart leadership directions that can leave their male counterparts far behind.
3. We have enormous patience and capacity for forgiveness.
The international business arena belongs to people who can give others the benefit of the doubt and let misunderstandings slide. Frustration, discomfort and embarrassing social gaffes are the rule rather than the exception when you're conducting a complex transaction in a strange environment. Women stand fast through good and bad times, and ultimately bring out the best in their foreign colleagues.
4. It's always been our job to know about etiquette and appropriate social behavior.
Understanding foreign cultures, customs and protocol is absolutely essential if you want to succeed overseas. You can't afford not to learn the local system. If you don't make yourself acceptable, you won't do business. Women have always known this, and they can make it pay off overseas. When you're traveling the globe, you might find yourself beating drums, eating with your hands, even bathing with your associates! Next day you're in on a grueling round of negotiations, and you realize that you're working together better than you dreamed possible. When you respect foreign ways, it's noticed -- and appreciated.
5. We are raised to be charming and pleasant to be around.
Our sincerity and willingness to offer a conciliatory smile can save the day when things get awkward, or even outright nasty. Foreign associates appreciate charm, so smile warmly -- but stay on track. And don't indulge in humor. You never know if they'll get the joke, or how they'll take it. Just because they're laughing doesn't mean they're amused. It means they're watching what you do and going along with it to keep from rocking the boat! Sound familiar? Of course it does -- many women spend their whole lives doing exactly that! Spare your associates the discomfort -- everybody's more comfortable when you stick to business. If you eliminate jokes, you can still entertain by story-telling. It's one of the oldest, purest ways to communicate and always puts people at ease. Try it. Even if your listeners barely understand English, they will at least have had an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves with you.
Women are naturals at going global and add value to any business, whether it's her own or her home corporation's -- pushing limits, shaking things up, competing vigorously in the world marketplace, and making the world a better place to live.
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WE, Inc. Trade Advisor Laurel Delaney runs Global TradeSource, Ltd., a Chicago-based global marketing and consulting company and is the creator of Borderbuster, an e-newsletter that WE, Inc. highly regards for its focus on global marketing. She just published a new e-book, Insanely Global and is at work on her next, Godzilla Global Marketing.
