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"Testosterone poisoning" he wrote, "has found its way into colloquial speech as a sardonic diagnosis of masculine excess." That's sports historian John Hoberman describing pumped up males and male toys (e.g. a "Tonka toy on steroids") and lamenting the use of steroids and hormones to beef up the male half of the population. From his new book, Testosterone, Dreams, Rejuvenation, Aphrodisia, Doping."

Masculine excess. Could this be something afflicting our industry? This is a business where 80% of those doing it are women (per the DSA). And 85% of the network marketers are PART TIME (DSA). But most of the recruiting and sales training is directed at the 20% who are men, and the incentives and recognition are mostly aimed at the 15% who are full time.

And then we all sit around with our adult beverages and self righteously blame the dropouts for dropping out.

Shouldn't we instead redirect some of the recruiting and training, and the incentives and recognition, to the 80% women and 85% part timers in our companies?

Here's why it isn't working for many women now.

The 20% - the men who direct the training (and the few women for whom that has worked) have different communication and approach styles than do the women they are trying to recruit and train.

There are BOOKS, e.g. "Marketing to Women" about these differences and companies across the US are changing their sales approaches to finally connect with the women, who today represent 51% of the population.

But most women in our field tell me they just figured "It must be me" and they cave in to the boy talk and the boy style. And they've done so at their own expense because for most of them, there is NO FIT.

Kim:

You may not want to hear this, but today I cried after the call. I had no idea that there was help to fix the problem of 'boy talk' which I worked so very hard to develop and until today, thought I was never going to be able to get rid of.
-RoseMarie C., Melaleuca

We're in a state of masculine excess all right. It's running rampant right over our dropped-out bodies. Consider:

* The guys on stage hammer us on the importance of the quick close. But women say they don't appreciate being pushed and don't like doing it to other women.

* Men pride themselves on selling the BIGGEST package on the first date. Women don't usually risk money they don't have, and don't demonstrate their prowess or power by making decisions on the spot. They tend to go for the smaller package on the second or third date.

* For boys, talk of making big money FAST is in. Anything else, is "not committed."

But for many women, with their family and community obligations, including taking care of THEIR men, 5-10 hours a week is all they can commit. So how can making "big money fast" be an option the way it might be for a full time male?

And how insidious is it to keep on comparing the "commitment" of women who spend 5 hours a week to men who spend 60?

* Recruiting big hitters is in, they say on stage, and "There's no money in customers."

But most women say they prefer getting regular customers - at least at first. And there are WAY more customers than there are sales people for a good product, aren't there? And steady customers provide "back end" long term income like cable TV or AOL because they keep buying products they use. Recruiting bonuses are one time, and then you have to start over again.

*Men talk about and do things to "explode" their business; but women talk about growing and nurturing their new babies (people).

And on, and on...

Women feel these differences in their bones. But they tell me they give in to the masculine teachings, letting go of their own leanings. And sooner or later, the inner dissatisfaction comes, and ends with them disconnecting from the whole thing.

Masculine excess?

If it is, how long will we stand by? Are we really that spineless? We are 80%. The BIG majority.

Yes, for the 20%, the current masculine trainings may be a good thing, as it was for me years ago.

But for most women, this is not a good thing. Are you ready for something new? So we can make this business work for ourselves?

How else can you ever become, or help another woman become:

"One less woman dependent on someone else."