Gilpin observer., 1903-10-08
For the Individual
Information for
the Business Man

From now on to what extent must
the business man make use of printed
information? The knowledge and ex-
perience of many men on various sub
jects is being gathered. Is it neces-
sary for the business man to know
about this and to possess it?
Many men are devoting their whole
time to original researches on single
subjects and their reports are pre-
pared in the form of books, booklets
and editorials for periodicals. Must
good business men sift these and
make use of the best parts of them
in order to continue as good business
men?
A short time ago an official of an
insurance company stopped me as
l was passing him on the street. He
held up small cloth-bound volume of
deep and dry reading. Why did he
spend his money for it in order to
spend his time on it? His actions are
worthy of consideration because he,
together with his partner, has done
with very little money what many
men with much money have tried with
all their might to do and failed. Why
did he buy the book?
He knows how to use men, their
time, their strength. their ideas and
observations. Why can he not use re-
corded ideas, experiences and observa.
tions? He does not use all men, only
few dozen are in his employ at pres
ent: but he has talked with hun.
dreds. and it may be thousands, to get
that few dozen. Is not this necessary ?
After he had shown me his book
and had glanced at some of the mys-
terious equations in it. began asking
him questions and was surprised to
hear him say that he had not read a
certain work. Has he neglected it
because it has not been properly pre-
sented to him? He is not a bookish
man, and would not neglect his busi-
ness for the pleasure of reading,
rather would he squeeze books for
information to help him work better.
Is not this what books are for?
Some day expect to make special
call on him to find out why he does
not own that book which l think he
set my reasoning it will not be the
first time it has been discounted. Can
you confess the same?
The danger point to the pencil point
is where you record things which you
should remember without recording.
Is not the blunder with books CEN
tered in ignoring them or looking up
to them in place of getting acquainted
with and walking on them? Ignor-
ing or adoring books weakens the
worker; but tapping books for daily
useful hints and facts strengthens the
worker. Do you think otherwise?
To know what you do think and
what part books have taken in help
ing you woul be useful to me. Will
you drop me a letter or a postal card
on the subject?
A man put thirty thousand dollars
into advertising and waited for re-
turns. While he was tottering be-
tween holding on and falling the re-
turns began to come in. If they had
been few weeks slower he would
have been a failure. How much right
have some successes to glory over
some failures?
There are retail stores in which the
trade is watched as the fireman eyes
the steam gauge. The cashiers desk
is visited often and If sales drop plans
are laid to push harder
Fine trades have been industriously
built up while using poor stationery
and no grammar.
1t is better to advertise your bust.
ness than yourself