Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-01-02
MODESTY IN BUSINESS
A HEAVY HANDICAP

up hAhe thAhka hthhh hhNt AhsplFeu
the feeling, but the lack Of confidence
was there. Manifcs,ly, for man 20
se. out on piece Of business which he
feels never will 20 through Ia a. bad
ne for him 20 attempt to lift a bur
den that is wholly beyond his strength
In this one instance, after the failure
Of the star salesman, one Of the aver.
ago men at command was selected
largely FOR biz thick skin and porli
nacity, and Il was this individual who
accomplished the work.
"To get there" In tho sense Of 10.
comotion, IL one Of tho vital consider.
ations for tho salesman. One Of the
best salesmcn On tho world, who could
be shut out from conference with
one of tho most willing Of potential
buyers. naturally could have no chance.
with tho poorest, who might get past
the door Of tho inner ofico. Modesty
never was a door opener. There may
be hundred agurative Ccrborusos
guarding the buyer, and 10 the heFeest
OF theso >ihere IL no front which can
compare with an aggressive. perhaps
loud and insistent self confidence.
Thaekeray, n ono OF his pretty spells
Of eyHieism, saysi
always be right, never 10 doubt,
and always 20 trample forward--are
not these tho great qualities with which
dunness takes the lead In tho worldi"
often--yesl And whyi Simply be
cause the difident man, who might
have chance 90 succeed had he had
the opportunity, cannot press forward
20 the opportunity, while the modest
man who would succeed, refuses 20
"tFample forward"
Ia the most commonplace relations
OF community life ono may read ths
lesson OF tho handicap Of modesty.
Modesty cannot hold its place In line
az a pOstofiee window or bank telleF's
counter without the aid Of the watch |
man. II has dinieulty In crowded |
street 70 retain foothold on a twenty
foot pavement. II is last into the the
ater doors. IL has less 10 eat at a
banquet, and in the best spirit Of 90.
eial life IL goes away from the com.
Pany suffering the Pang that comes
OF isolation aud insigniheanee.
IL would be foolishness 20 style an
initiative and aggFessiveness a form Of
vulgarity. Much Of it is, but at the
same time gentility has much 70 learn
of vulgaFity when the two are In bus.
mess competition.
To convince a business man against
his will is something not accomplished
with soothing syrups. always to be
right, never 20 doubt, and always 70
trample forward these are not the
OF which modesty can
boast. And without the spirit Of boast
fulness in the aggressions Of the bust
ness man the wheels Of business scarce.
y ned oil. SEQ after him." is the
slogan OF aggressive business. Go az
ter him whether you would sell OF
whether you would buy. Whatever the
miHup that follows, its rules will Dor
der upon "no quarter"
salesmanshiP today is regarded as
The life principle in business. Any one
may produce wares until a glutted mar
ket no longer can find storage room
But unless the sales department Of the
establishment is soundly based the end
Is ruin With salesmanship taking their
place in the affairs Of the world bust
ness must continue TO reflect the anti
thesis Of modesty. Modesty must take
It least a second place in the Geld, and
il may be thankful to the fates il it
shall not fail lower in tho scale.