What Women Want!

School holidays. Like alot of you, I find the bittersweet luxury I take for granted of working during the week, gets thrown out the window this time of year. Even if you don't have children, alot of the associates you need to be dealing with are often away or stressed out. I must admit though, being forced to stay at home and finally fire up that bob-cat to clean out my children's playroom, has given me the opportunity to read some of the books in my "come outside and watch me mum" moments. Today I was reminded how important Female Friendly was when I was reading a book called "Women Want More" by Michael Silverstien and Kate Sayre 2009. I am determine to give women what they are looking for through the Female Friendly Accredited community of amazing, hard working businesses out there that really understand what Female Friendly is all about.

Sure, this book is not the average reading of a mum taking a break on school holidays. I still find comfort (and escape) in the glimpses of hope that reading magazines give me about celebrity's 'Get Airbrushed & Skinny Quick' diets and my books that are full of recipes my kids will never eat. But my favourite books are ones that can really open my eyes, and simply, teach me something. So bear with me as I share with you a paragraph I read a moment ago which really punches home how important your support is in our growing company.

This is what Female Friendly is all about. Simply looking after women.

"...Above all, women want agents of leverage - ways to find time, save time, free up time. They want businesses with companies that care, listen, and respond to their needs and desires. They want to associate with brands that respect and honour a privileged relationship with the female consumer, they want to align with companies that act as enablers, enhancers, protectors. And when women find a product or service that truly meets these needs, they can become apostles for the brand. They will compliment brands that deliver and will complain about brands that don't. They will share their opinions within their social networks, which can be far-reaching. They can help a company increase its profits quickly and help a brand take root in the society." "Women Want More" by Michael Silverstien and Kate Sayre 2009

I share this with you because I need you to understand how important you are in influencing the way society spends and how much you influence businesses booming. You really have more of an impact than you think. Finding businesses in your local area that reflect "What Women Want" are found not by who spends the most on their glossy flyers or who has the best web site, but these businesses grow strongly through women like yourselves passing on positive experiences to friends and family. Most businesses will tell you that this is the number one way they grow (other than if they get a spot on Oprah!). So ladies, and all those dads, brothers, sons, boyfriends and husbands out there that we hear from supporting us, keep up the good work by letting us know who it is in YOUR local area that needs to be recognised as Female Friendly Accredited. Save each other time and headaches by simply letting each other know where to go. Days of shopping around with your fingers crossed are coming to an end as social networks and communicating with each other has become so much more convenient, instant and, most of all, how many more people you reach these days as your networks have expanded!

Computers with emails and facebook, iphones with texting and calling... all of it is a part of everyday life and it is all very hi-tech and fast paced reflecting our times. It's funny to think though, that despite all of these advanced toys and the high-speed carnival lifestyles we juggle today , there is one thing that guides and directs us and it hasn't changed since the first women in history gave some advice to to a friend. That is the power and influence of the simple word of mouth.