Last year in IST’s “Women in Tanning”
issue, we discovered that more than half of women business owners are Right
Brain thinkers as opposed to the mostly Left Brain thinkers of male owned
businesses. (See www.islandsuntimes.com, Back Issues, May ’04.)
During the past five years of the new millennium, millions of women have
accepted the competitive challenge of the entrepreneurial jungle as new
business owners. The question is, will all of these new “Janes of the Jungle”
have what it takes to survive life or death competition during the day,
and still have the stamina to pick up the loincloth Tarzan left on the floor
back at the hut?
Over the past several decades, extensive research has studied the personality
profiles of successful women. One study concluded that women who excel as
business owners exhibit traits of one or more of the following personalities;
the achiever, the empathetic super salesperson, the expert idea generator,
and the manager. Be careful…a successful Jane of the Jungle is no one to
mess with – especially if she possesses multiple personality types! Let’s
uncover what makes Jane tick, and what could get in her way and tick her
off!
Jane the Achiever
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What makes her tick: This Jane is very motivated
by setting her own goals, and doesn’t need much help from anyone to
achieve them. She takes pride in accomplishing major goals, like opening
multiple tanning salons, as well as minor tasks like cleaning and organizing
the closet at home. Self-achievement (usually over-achievement) is the
way she keeps herself motivated in business, family life, and play.
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What ticks her off: Watch out; this personality
type doesn’t understand those who have difficulty following through
with goals, and she has a hard time tolerating people who do not seem
self-motivated.
Jane the Empathetic Super-Salesperson
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What makes her tick: Let’s face it; the reason she
opened a business is to make a profit! This personality type has no
problem asking for the sale. However, she realizes the best way to make
a sale is to educate clients on what product or service would best fit
their needs, and will look for ways to achieve the best results for
the most reasonable value to the customer. This approach to selling
is a proven way to achieve client loyalty, and big time profits!
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What ticks her off: Don’t try to sell this businesswoman
something she doesn’t need. She has a keen nose in the jungle and can
smell “Florida swampland” from miles away!
Jane the Expert Idea Generator
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What makes her tick: The creation of new strategies
in marketing, advertising, and client relations is her passion. She
thinks best when falling asleep at night, driving her car, or sometimes
while in the shower. She loves to bring new ideas to the table and is
always looking for ways to “mark her territory” by being uniquely different
from the competition.
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What ticks her off: Sharing ideas with a group of
people is her passion, but if the team lets her idea fall into the quicksand
by not following through, things could get ugly.
Jane the
Manager
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What makes her tick: She excels at coaching and
mentoring her salon staff to better serve clients. Delegating is a natural
instinct, along with the ability to bring out the natural talents in
each team member.
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What ticks her off: Jane the Manager is a great
leader and understands the law of the jungle – “only the strong survive.”
This personality type can’t stand a team member who doesn’t pull their
weight and may quickly vote them “off the island.”
The true Janes of the Jungle are survivors. They have passion and instinct,
and are ready to take on the challenges of new territory as well as bring
up their young and balance a family life.
From one Jane to another…
I’ll see you in the jungle!
