The Confidence Factor for Women: You are too expensive
The four words that every entrepreneur has heard or will hear, at some time in their business. For women entrepreneurs, it seems to be the theme of why we have a harder journey to climb the competitive leadership ladder.
A few years ago, I invested in a planning day with an executive business advisor and literally sat in his office complaining about attracting people who wanted my services and expertise but would end the conversation with “you are too expensive.” At the end of my rant, he said something to me which is the mission principle in my company today — “expensive in comparison to what?”
Here is the truth!
Many people want to solve expensive problems with cheap solutions. In the end, they are only placing bandaids on a wound that REQUIRES stitches. Especially if you are a serviced based business owner, people never want to invest in time until their problem is costing them time to fix.
My grandfather once told me that cheap fixes only get you local results. Hence, many women entrepreneurs who are struggling to grow a service based business cannot scale their model by servicing people who are not well invested in the problem. In actuality, I also learned that some people who want a cheap fix do not actually want to “fix” the problem, they just need a listening ear.
Why am I telling you this…. simple!
If you are finding yourself in a place where you are hearing the echo of others chanting your name, then complaining about your value, some of it is your fault (yes it is). You have to be very clear in your verbiage that you are not a cheap solution to an expensive problem. Think of it this way for a moment, if you needed a heart transplant, and you are paying in cash, would you trust your friend who read a few medical books to operate on you, or would you pay the premium for your life to be spared and the additional therapy your investment afforded you? Most women who are struggling are not clear. Not arrogant- just clear.
Clarity in your price as well. As a matter of fact, it is an investment to have your time and you need to learn how to operate an investment level business model. People who pay you do not think on the same level as those who invest in themselves. Go back to the heart transplant, if you pay your friend who read the few medical books, you literally get what you pay for.
Last but not least, solve premium problems if you believe you are a premium level leader. As women, we have to recognise that our value comes at a premium, not at a discount.
In the end, you are expensive, there is nothing to be shameful and second-guess your worth. Once you are greeted with “you are expensive” as a response to your price, remember, they are trying to fix an expensive wound with a band-aid. Is that the kind of leader you want to be? Once you get clear and intentional, you will not hear the “expensive” chatter. They will say “she is worth the investment!”
#ConfidenceFactor
To learn more about joining the Confidence Factor for Women in Leadership movement for exceptional leaders, visitwww.theconfidencefactorforwomen.com
Carol Sankar is a business advisor for high level executives, service based visionaries and a leadership expert who is committed to assisting passionate, high-achieving leaders simplify their lives while increasing revenue by becoming productive, not working harder. Carol has been featured in Madame Noire, LearnVest, The Steve Harvey TV Show, CNNMoney.com, TEDx, Daily Worth, Entrepreneur Magazine and Essence Magazine. For details, visit www.carolsankar.com