Do women have it harder in sales or easier?

🐱 Off-Topic
23
Hudsonsmom
Opinionated
11
Area Sales Manager
As a woman in sales I might be biased but I’ve been doing it 10+ years and it hasn’t gotten any easier. Having a great boss is always a plus, they back you up. 

But it is so hard to be taken seriously most of the time just because I’m a woman (I’m in automotive so it’s also a boys club and doesn’t help), or talked down to like I don’t understand. 

We also don’t always get the same networking opportunities. My male counterparts can grab dinner and a beer with our dealers, but they couldn’t be caught dead alone with me for fear of someone thinking they’re cheating. 
MsTech
Executive
2
Business Development Executive
Yep. Navigating those dinner meetings are tough... Especially after they've had their second bourbon. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
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SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
1
Officer of ♥️
this
Broncosfan
Politicker
1
Account Manager
It seems like such a mixed bag. Data shows us that it’s easier for women to get a first meeting but is that worth all the other bullshit women have to put up with? Probably not. 
beerisforclosers
Politicker
4
Account Manager
Harder. The boys club is real. And we're working for seats at the table, but it's a process.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
As a guy, I’m inclined to believe they have it harder. Maybe not on all fronts but I think the collective challenges outweigh the advantages and they generally have to work harder as a result.

I’ve heard more than enough stories to be pretty confident about that:

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Incognito
WR Officer
2
Master of Disaster
Harder. To think there isn’t an “old boys club “ is completely naive.
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
👑
Depends on the industry and who you're selling to. I think as a woman, it's easier for me to tell my product to other women. I don't do as well closing men for whatever reason. I'm sure I'd have a different tale to tell if I was selling machinery or oil and gas products, though men could say the same if they were trying to sell cosmetics or products for children. 


I'm limited by how precisely I hone my skills and how hard I'm willing to work, not my gender.
ARRyouReadyKids
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
From my male perspective:

The women in our office seem to have more success in their prospecting efforts both at the BDR and AE level.
Without having done the research to tell you who "works harder" I still think the internal culture is absolutely harder on women but the receptiveness of our prospects/clients might be "easier".

Either way the women here are making BUCKS so I applaud them
looper1010
Celebrated Contributor
2
Solutions Specialist
Harder.  The boy's club is alive and real.
kelun8
Politicker
2
AE
I would say there has been times where I would sell to a “alpha” like male where they probably don’t take me as seriously than my white male counterparts. I do my mirror and match and speak the way they speak to me. If at any point I have a feeling they’re not paying attention during a demo, I would just stop talking. If they say they’re doing something else then I kindly ask if they want to reschedule because I want to make good use of both our times. They start to respond better once I’m stern but started off more friendly.

Luckily I have a strong female CEO as well that’s been through the hurdles so she helpful and understanding. The boys club is real.
ARRisLife
Politicker
0
Account Executive
@kelun8 I respect your experiences and perspective.  I would just point out that as a white male, I can speak from my experiences in that the scenario you mentioned keeping attention is 100% still something I have to deal with and overcome from executives on calls, often. I don't particularly feel that I have any advantage in keeping attention beyond having a compelling presentation.  I do work in tech which I think tends to lean more progressive and diversified in both buyers and sellers, my company probably has 30% +/- female sellers and they are equally in the top performers in closed business stats.

Just my anecdotal 2cents. 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
1
Regional Sales Director
I'd give an equal split and may be, little on the harder edge. Pros and cons remain
At times, cons outweigh pros
Especially rudeness and way of talks that happen on call
newboy
Valued Contributor
1
Complete Sales team
If a guy is selling a women's product, well I don't how can he even get it done regularly.

On contrary, if a lady is given to sell something like car maybe (Took me time to think of anything women would have a harder time) or actually any product that's considered guys hobbies, they might have a harder time.



In the country I live, India women are actually are preferred for FMCG sales (As women make around 80% of household decisions).
newboy
Valued Contributor
1
Complete Sales team
LOL I was reading the comments and was like WOW another guy from India.

Then I thought to check out who it is and Voila! It's me 😂
Finesy
Valued Contributor
1
Account Representative III
This cracked me up 😂
Bittersweet0326
Politicker
1
Digital Business Associate
I think they have it both ways. In most cases it can be harder to get in the door because people don't always give them the same respect they would a guy. But on the flip side of that once they get in I think they do WAY better with the relationship and holding customers long term.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
I cant really comment on this from the others perspective but i do wonder if it is down to industry?  The industry i am in is mostly female in terms of the customers are mostly female (im in the fashion industry selling to fashion brands) and my female colleagues seem to get on as well or in some cases better than several of my male colleagues?
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I’ve heard more than enough stories to be pretty confident about that
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
We also don’t always get the same networking opportunities. My male counterparts can grab dinner and a beer with our dealers, but they couldn’t be caught dead alone with me for fear of someone thinking they’re cheating. 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
I think it's just a different kind of hard. Every situation is unique though so hard to generalize who has it harder
Ace
Arsonist
1
CEO
I'd have to go with @Chep . Can't generalize the whole sale thing but it then again it really depends
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Thanks Ace!
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
0
Officer of ♥️
depends what you're selling, tampons, cars, or saas, as for linkedin and emails, a pretty face and pretty name is known to increase reply rates and people even go as far as too make fake woman accounts on linkedin to book meetings, that being said woman do have the whole male dominated sales community and that culture pitted against them, they are the 'female sellers' its a whole culture change, i personally think girls need to break through much more stereotypes and fight alot of bias in order to be succesfull in sales, which, is harder.

Not to mention just being a girl is harder than being a guy I would think, the constant sexualization by media, pedo's everywhere, and destructive feminism. 

just my .02
SiliconBBQ
Politicker
0
The Metal Rooster
Sold Martech for first 4 years of my sales career. There were some badass lady reps on my team that crushed it. Once the early 30s hit they've mostly made a move to some form of management. 

Definitely watched some of my female peers get appointments more 'easily' than the guys but only the ones who put in the work. 
MsTech
Executive
0
Business Development Executive
As a female sales professional in Technology, I find that it is harder selling into "older" "more established" industries such as textiles, manufacturing, autos, petrol, etc...  Financial services is a beast... very "good ol boys"...  However, industries which are led by younger generations don't have the same stigmas as past generations.  My suggestion, if you need to sell into an industry that has bias, find a great ally to join you on some sales calls. A "tag team" approach usually opens doors quicker.  Also, "man speak" is real... Learn to speak in metrics and obscurity! LOL. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I would say we definitely do. Yes doors may open more easily for us, but I am certainly given less 'wiggle room' for error than my male counterparts. I have to always be stern but friendly, approachable but not flirty, etc. 

I also feel like it plays into office politics more than most leadership teams admit. They want a woman in sales who takes initiative, knows her shit, doesn't get pushed around by customers, knows how to handle objections, etc- but then want to call those same personality characteristics "difficult" when it's time to manage them. 
Allisce
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
the top of the leaderboard at my company tends to be occupied by women but we are bad bitches. no nonsense hard ass workers who are really good at our job and bust it every day. the achieving quota but not killing it is full of mediocre men and we churn more young women that any other demographic. So yeah I'd say it's harder but if you can survive to be ok, you can really excel at least in my company
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Harder.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
We also don’t always get the same networking opportunities. My male counterparts can grab dinner and a beer with our dealers, but they couldn’t be caught dead alone with me for fear of someone thinking they’re cheating.
Mr.Floaty
Politicker
0
BDR
I was probably skipping class on career day or maybe just too busy bopping along to whatever Korean rap artist was big at the time, regardless, one thing is sure shooting, I wound up at the store that only sells Blackberry's and Brioni's and I stuffed that cart full.
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
Stumbled into it and can’t leave
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