Posted by Dave T on September 11, 2002 at 22:12:55:
You give me more credit than I deserve. I am not ruthless enough and don’t have the resources to orchestrate and perpetuate a widespread male conspiracy to keep women subjugated.
Besides where will I find the time – my wife will only let me engage in conspiracy orchestration in between doing the ironing and the vacuuming.
Male or Female voice? - Posted by ray
Posted by ray on September 11, 2002 at 16:53:56:
I am in the process of setting up my voice mail system for lead generation (not selling homes, yet) and my question is “Does a womans voice make any difference in the response rate?”. I figure a womans voice is less threatening for those messages requesting that the caller leave their name and phone. And not being too sexist but a mans voice may be percieved as more “business like”. Has anyone out there done any testing or found any info on this?
Re: Male or Female voice? - Posted by James Buster
Posted by James Buster on September 12, 2002 at 24:00:09:
I figure it this way: women will want to hear a woman’s
voice, men won’t care. Therefore, use a woman.
Re: Male or Female voice? - Posted by Dave T
Posted by Dave T on September 11, 2002 at 18:22:49:
I don’t think a truly motivated seller will really care.
If it bothers you, however, do your own survey. Notice the receptionist at every office you visit. When you make a business call, notice the secretary. When you go to visit your state or federal elected representatives, notice who greets you at the door or answers the phone.
When you have finished your survey, you may find that an overwhelming majority of those positions that make first contact with the public are filled by women.
At least that is my personal observation from my visits to the doctor, dentist, stockbroker, banker, eye doctor. All the US Senate offices I visited in Washington DC were staffed by women in the initial reception positions. Even in government service, it appeared to me that most of the administrative assistant positions were filled by women. These are all positions that have the first contact with the public. There may be a reason for that.
I leave it to you to form your own opinion.
Pavlovian Reaction? - Posted by Carmen_FL
Posted by Carmen_FL on September 11, 2002 at 18:53:19:
Not trying to start anything, but … what you mention raises my hackles, despite the fact that I agree with you!
Perhaps people are used to seeing a woman in certain positions because they have been FORCIBLY RETAINED at those positions due to societal pressures of one sort or another (educational, financial, familial, etc.)
So, for now, perhaps the “reason” that most initial public contact is made by women is … because these, usually low-paying, positions are the ones being offered to them!!! NOT because “customers” would PREFER to deal with women or hear a woman’s voice … but perhaps because they have instead become Conditioned to deal with them as a first-contact.
OK, off my soapbox, since i’m not helping anyone here! For what it’s worth, the only thing I dislike when dealing with voice mail or initial calls … is when the person who answers sounds too young (some women’s voices sound like children); or the person cannot speak fluidly (gasping, hemming, hawing, etc.)