I’ve been talking with a lot of men lately about if and how gender roles or stereotyping issues come up for them (or against them) in life and in business. Mainly our conversations have been about how, while they don’t know about other people, they feel like they’ve built a … Read on >
There’s been a recent flurry of “women’s site” activity:
- I’ve just read news of Dove.com’s new more social media-style web site. - Mom-blog, Dooce.com also recently got big coverage for its advertising sales numbers, even given the take-no-prisoners writing style of its founder, Heather B. Armstrong. - Yahoo just … Read on >
1) There is a good post and interesting discussion of whether or not social media is “feminine” (i.e. because women like to connect and thus… you know, the usual stereotype) on SocialMediaExplorer. I put myself right out there as a freak of nature - in that I blog … Read on >
Nicholas Kristof’s piece in the Sunday New York Times (April 6th) made a great point - mainly in terms of the current political races, but also, I think, in how sexism comes up or doesn’t in the business realm. It isn’t a men versus women question, because anyone … Read on >
Even when it comes to the stereotype of silly, emotional, dying-to-connect-with-women-everywhere women (can you tell I’m being facetious?), there has got to be a saturation point for shopping, diet, sex tips, parenting and “lifestyle” content. Pretty please?
With the number of women-focused magazines, television shows, radio shows, blogs and … Read on >
1) Diane Mermigas wrote a very inspired and thorough MediaPost blog post on “women’s sites” and how women are actually not being served by them. The launch of Yahoo’s latest addition to the ranks, “Shine,” was what got her going. Her observations are spot on, and … Read on >
According to an article by Michael Schwirtz in the New York Times (3.30.08), Russia is seeing a surge of marketing to women with a variety of products, often using the color pink or stereotypical messaging to get attention. Schwirtz reports specifically on a Russian vodka brand - Damskaya … Read on >
Because I still see examples of it, I feel the need to occasionally return to the dangers of making assumptions about your female customers. These assumptions are reflected in the brands that seem to be trying desperately to reach more women by adding nail polish, diet tips, sex advice or … Read on >
Count me as one of the 40.5 million women (out of 90 million people) expected to watch the Super Bowl on February 3rd. Where usually I am not … Read on >
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow
by Chip Conley
I'm a big psychology buff, so this application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the business realm fascinated (and resonated) with me. As Conley mentions, psychology in business has long been about "fixing it," but that won't necessarily "offer the opportunity for transformation to a more optimal state of being or productivity." Everyone can learn from this discussion.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the Real Gender Gap
by Susan Pinker
A fascinating examination of how sex differences play out over the life span. One interesting quote: "For most women it's less a question of who's able to win. It's whether competing feels good and is worth the cost."
Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes
by Katya Andresen
Andresen writes that causes can learn from traditional marketers, but after reading this, I'd argue that traditional marketers can learn from the causes profiled. An interview with Andresen is included in my eBook, 9 Minds On Marketing.
You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation
by Deborah Tannen
Men have a more asymmetrical, positioning approach to communication, while women have a more symmetrical, connecting approach. This is a classic worth revisiting frequently.
BOOM: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer -- The Baby-Boomer Woman
by Mary Brown and Carol Orsborn
It's a hot topic - and the case studies and examples presented in BOOM can offer up insights to get you started.
