Forbes Contributing Writer

“I’m sick of reading about millennials,” said my millennial colleague. I had to laugh. We all know that a minute can’t pass without an article being written about the complexities of this generation. And yes, you’re reading another one now, though in my defense (I say this with a smile)…

Oh, if kitchen tables could talk. They look so innocent, but of all the sales terrains that can present challenges for sales professionals, few are more laden with potential landmines than calling on a prospect in their home. On the surface, a kitchen table seems like the most cozy and…

In fields like marketing and sales, there are those magical days when creative inspiration strikes us, and then there are those other 360 days a year we must go hunting for it. Here are four simple strategies for generating ideas and inspiration for anyone looking to grow their business with…

After more than a decade interviewing women about their sales experiences, I’ve heard the good, the bad and the ugly. And while there is no single, sure-fire way to make a sale, there are certain common factors that can derail one . Because women drive the majority of consumer spending…

Today we’re looking at a global shift I call the “mother of all trends:” there are more women in the paid labor force than at any other time in history. If you’re in retail, this is the trend that drives just about everything else, and something you should be monitoring…

Whenever I speak on the subject of marketing and selling to women — which is all the time — people are often surprised, and sometimes even shocked, when they learn how much women’s economic power has surged over the years. Women’s impact on the consumer economy ranks right alongside technology…

As the CEO of the consulting and training firm, Female Factor, and author of Why She Buys, I’ve spent more than a decade studying women’s impact on the consumer marketplace. At this time of year, people ask me what they should be incorporating into their new-year planning to grow their…

Trends come and go, but etiquette never goes out of style, especially in sales. For any salesperson in the midst of the holiday shopping season, interpersonal skills can be the deciding factor in whether someone chooses to buy from you or someone else. In our research at Female Factor, we’ve…

For many women, shopping alone is a luxury. Because of the role women play in their households (typically “chief purchasing officer” and for many, primary caregiver, too), they are often shopping with kids or companions. As any woman with a plus one (or more) will tell you, a bored or…

People will tell you they don’t like to be “sold,” but the truth is, we love to buy from people who inspire us with passion and knowledge about what they’re selling. We enjoy the feeling of learning something new, especially when we believe it will improve our life in some…