16 WESTERN PALLET
Women in the Industry MLG to Become a Quarterly Event
Group Builds on Successful March Meeting
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The Western Pallet Association’s (WPA) latest online event, held on March 28, featured a Master Learning Group session titled "Women in the Industry." Timed with International Women’s Month, the session highlighted women's unique challenges in the pallet industry.
Participants, including women in various leadership and sales roles, engaged in a vibrant and comprehensive conversation. For many, this was their inaugural WPA online event experience. Newcomers to WPA events are encouraged to pre-register due to limited availability. Details on upcoming sessions can be found on the WPA website.
Addressing Challenges and Sharing Solutions
After initial participant introductions and the anti-trust statement, participants delved into personal anecdotes, sharing their challenges, including gender bias and difficulties in establishing connections with male counterparts. The group heard stories about overt discrimination experienced over the decades.
One story shared was about a husband and wife team going on a sales call together many years ago. When they arrived, the buyer asked if the wife could wait outside. The husband suggested rescheduling the meeting so the buyer could speak to both partners.
While such issues are less prevalent today, issues such as pay equity remain a concern for women and non-white employees more generally. The group emphasized the need to confront biased behavior. The discussion concluded with the team agreeing on the importance of creating a more respectful and inclusive work environment.
The conversation broadened to include strategies for managing work-life balance, ranging from task delegation to prioritizing personal activities and family time. Reflecting on the industry's evolution, participants discussed the increasing presence of women in leadership roles and as business owners. Other stories were shared regarding overcoming gender bias in the workplace, including instances of sexual harassment and being underestimated.
Leveraging Technology to Work More Productively
Remote work can be a double-edged sword for women trying to balance work and family commitments. While modern technology facilitates working remotely, it can also exacerbate feelings of being overworked. Additionally, participants delved into the impact of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, on work practices, highlighting its potential benefits in simplifying tasks.
Attendees emphasized female attributes invaluable to businesses, such as empathy and an aptitude for multitasking. The team agreed on the importance of compassion in the workplace, which, they noted, women often exemplify.
Economic pressures and the need for innovative solutions were also explored. Participants emphasized keeping a positive outlook and maintaining creativity amidst challenging circumstances. Furthermore, the discussion touched on effective cost management strategies during economic downturns, advocating for prudent spending and diversification of revenue streams.
Participants discussed the advantages of networking and joining industry associations such as NFIB. These networks were identified as valuable platforms for fostering support, sharing knowledge, and accessing opportunities for business growth within the industry.
Finally, the importance of reaching out to legislators and advocating for the environment was emphasized. The conversation ended with plans to improve future meetings and a call for feedback.
It was decided to make the Women of the Pallet Industry a quarterly WPA event.
“I was so amazed how much participation we had at this last MLG,” said Beatrice Vasquez of Oxnard Pallet, “and that it was just such a wide variety of different people within the industry. I felt like it was a good mix with different age groups.”
“I think it was really good to connect with other women,” said Kat Miranda of Oxnard Pallet, reflecting on the event. I would like to see it in a physical setting, but you do what you can with what you have. I think everyone had a lot to say about our struggles in the industry.”
“I’m excited by the direction of our MLGs,” Beatrice concluded, “especially in this topic and others. We are very encouraged, even in a very difficult and changing time, that we can all be there for each other.”