The Birth of a Saleswoman

"I just feel that women need more motivation and encouragement to” [go forth into the business world.]--Rachael

8/06/07: By Paul Turse “AKA” Samurai Raider”
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In the Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller presents a depressing portrait of a salesman whose dreams of success and perception of himself are not in accord with reality.  Willy Loman, as his last name suggests, is low man on the totem pole of success.  Much of his failure is due to his false evaluation of his ability to “sell” himself to his consumers, as well as his deluded concept that merely “being well liked” is the key to achieving all of one’s desires, be it selling a product or raising a family.  In both areas, Loman lacks the necessary integrity to be a successful salesman, let alone role model and father, as he instills his family with his own false value system and brings about the disillusionment of his oldest son.

While the play does, perhaps, seem to unfairly attack the values of sales personnel (to use politically correct language), in general, the “salesman” in this drama is merely a symbol of the necessity for all individuals—male or female—to be able to sell themselves as the prime quality of success.  Indeed, the talent to sell not only a product but to sell oneself is certainly essential in all areas of endeavor—from parenting to teaching to preaching, and even to cheering.  However, the sales pitch must be imbued with truth and sincerity.

In the home, parents must instill the proper values in their children, and such a task is often a hard sell, given the all the negative influences outside the home.  In the classroom, teachers must sell the value of the course content to the students, and in order to be successful, the teachers must get the students to believe in them—in their sincerity and integrity.  In the church, preachers need to get their congregations to accept the values they present.  And, of course, to achieve maximum results, preachers must embody the same ethics they pass on.  Even in a less serious activity such as cheerleading, the participants need to inspire confidence in the team and in fans, urging them to keep trying to do their best, win or lose.  If the desire to keep fighting does not become an integral part of their lives, cheerleaders will not be convincing on the field or off as they try to sell the concept that winning can be achieved in all areas of life.

Now in her fourth season, Oakland Raiderette Rachael is a cheerleader who understands and appreciates the value of salesmanship, a skill that was born a couple of years ago when she was a student at Cal State East Bay.  After doing several projects in her broadcasting class, her teacher, apparently impressed with her speaking and communication ability, recommended that she get involved with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and compete with the school team in the regional competition.   

Thrown in at the last minute, Rachael did not get much prep time; however, the dynamic Castro Valley girl put forth her best effort and managed to help her team take second place in the event.

SIFE is a nonprofit organization that attempts to train and motivate students to apply what they are learning in the academic world and apply those skills in an actual free enterprise system and working environment.  With the help of their teachers, students learn to use their knowledge to understand how to run a business, contribute to their communities, and strive to achieve their dreams and goals.

Still involved with SIFE, Rachael clarified the mission by noting that SIFE develops projects for students to create ways to enterprise and earn money through their own creative business endeavors and being self-employed, activities that can be achieved if desired.  “I think if young people set their minds to it, and have goals, then they can definitely be entrepreneurs,” Rachael declared in an interview during one of the Oakland Raiderette tryouts she was competing in.  Naturally, the confidence to believe in and the ability to sell themselves are essential attributes that need to be developed.  Even though they might be entrepreneurs and own their own businesses one day, these students will still be involved in the art of selling.

While it is important for students to be motivated, it is especially important for women to be more enterprising and take the initiative to be independent and self-reliant in life and in business, Rachael pointed out.  “Who doesn’t want to be his or her own boss?  But for women, specifically, I think that they should.  Mostly, it’s men that are entrepreneurs, and they create their own businesses.  But I do feel that women should, since they are becoming more business types and getting involved in doing things like that.”

The Cal State graduate does understand that there is a notion that business is the domain of men.  “I think there definitely is and there always has been [that prevailing attitude].  And I think, you know, maybe it will be like that for a while, but eventually we have always overcome everything.”

Rachael went on to eloquently sell her point:  “In our history, women now can vote.  Women just don’t stay home anymore.  Most women work and raise a family at the same time, so I think eventually that women will become more independent and run their own businesses and have men working under them.  But I think it will take time.” She admitted.

Rachael is not convinced that women should be slighted when it comes to acknowledging their skills.  It is important to have the confidence to fight the stereotype that women will not be as successful as men in business, because they can bring their own special qualities to the field, especially a maternal instinct, which may manifest itself by treating customers and employees as family members.

“Women definitely think differently than men do; they can bring different and new perspectives that men maybe have not thought of,” Rachael explained.  “Sometimes, men may be a little more traditional    Women might bring diversity and more openness to different ideas, overall.  But I think, for the most part, men and women are equal.  I just feel that women need more motivation and encouragement to” [go forth into the business world.]

What kind of woman will make it in business?  What qualities will she need as she pursues the birth of such an exciting and important career?

“Definitely someone who is hardworking,” Rachael explained.  “Positive attitude.  Someone that’s responsible.  Motivated.  I think honest.  I think you have to be honest in business and like what you’re doing.  Because if you’re cheating people, then eventually, you know . . .” she trailed off, implying that eventually the consumers will discover these unethical practices, an awareness that will spell disaster for any business.

Rachael sincerely believes that there is a correlation between running a business and running a household.  “Although you should keep personal and business separate, it [the necessary skill] does help running a family and running a business.  There are qualities needed for both, “ especially when it comes to ensuring honesty and integrity. 

Despite a maternal instinct, women can be aggressive when necessary, although not quite as territorial, so to speak, as men, Rachael pointed out.  “Women are definitely very competitive, maybe in different ways than men are. . . .  Maybe it just depends on the situation and the person and how much they really want something.”

The spirit of competition is quite noticeable at the annual Raiderette tryouts, where the women push themselves to earn a coveted spot on the prestigious cheerleading squad.  As heated as the competition normally is, a true spirit of camaraderie pervades the atmosphere.  One reason for this lack of a “cutthroat” atmosphere at the tryouts might be because women like Rachael see the experience of auditioning as a developmental process rather than as an end in itself, regardless if they survive the cut or not.

“I do think that trying out for the Oakland Raiderettes and performing in front of thousands of fans will prepare me for my future goals in life,” Rachael asserted.  “I actually want to be a TV reporter or host, [activities in which the speaker must, in effect, sell the story or the program] and that is also a very competitive field.  So, having the experience of competing, speaking, doing PR stuff for the Raiders, and performing is kind of the same as being on TV.”  Even though the odds of making the squad each year are often difficult, even for a returning veteran, like Rachael, the experience is invaluable.  “So I feel I will be going against odds in my career as well—the same as trying out for the Raiderettes.”

Rachael’s understanding of the importance of speaking is what caused her to major in communications.  “I feel like you can use communication wherever you go and in whatever field you decide to pursue in life.  With everything—in school, the Raiderettes—I find my knowledge of communications has helped out a lot.”  Such a skill has, no doubt, held her in good stead in her current job as a public relations assistant for a telecommunications company.

The Raiderettes are more than cheerleaders; they are PR representatives of the franchise, a responsibility that carries on from the sidelines to all situations in life.  The women have at least 10 charitable functions a year that they must attend.  Whether it is appearing at fundraisers, veterans hospitals, children’s hospice centers, or motivating students at the various schools in the area, Raiderettes must present a positive image for all whom they encounter.  Although they are not superstar celebrities, Raiderettes are, for many young girls, powerful roles models that these impressionable children wish to emulate.  Thus, the Raiderettes are obligated to sell a positive and healthful lifestyle for all, hoping that youngsters will buy into such a philosophy.  

Although Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman presents a dark version of the salesman’s life, inspiring and enterprising women like Rachael present a refreshing and bright contrast to such pessimism, proving that the art of selling is a necessary and positive art for ensuring success in many fields of endeavor—business, family, Raiderettes, or broadcasting.

Whether Rachael becomes a entrepreneur or a TV and broadcasting personality is still uncertain, but one thing is sure:  Whatever field Rachael chooses to pursue, her dreams will be realistic and this “saleswoman” will present a commodity that is the product of training, talent, and skill.  However, her most outstanding trait will be the ability to sell her personality and integrity.  Indeed, her satisfied consumers are already aware of her success as a Raiderette.  Just ask the Raiders’ franchise and her fans for their endorsement.