Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-16
BUSINESS CAREER
OF PETER FLINT
A Story of Salesmdnship by
Harold Whitehead
CCNIX
fCon'ric''l


= day. afternoon about Mr.. Lees offer
or Job selling his real estate.
Francis offered to take mother ard
the girls for an auto ride. and as the
car would hold five. Lucy telephoned 10
Mary 10 make the party complete
Francis and Lucy were on the front
saat Dad and I saw them of. + ho,-
lered after them, "Goodby. If we never
see you again. know that car. If you
never come back. Francis. can have
your suitcase?''
on they went laughing, and dad and
returned TO the house. Then told
him all about Lee Offering me s25.
week salary and 10 per cent on all sales
over $1,000 a month.
was very Thoughtful while ! told
him all about II and about the way the
agents at the Magnitude We're sore on
me for kicking about that contest re-
suit Then he said, Peter my boy.
you know ] want to do whatever I can
20 help you?"
nodded.
\ We'll. | wish you would stick 10 the
Magnitude. You know them to be fine,
honorable people. as we'll as a huge con-
cern--you know nothing about Mr.. Lee"
Francis is putting an inquiry through
about him for me-" | put in.
That's very good of him." dad went
on. but the point ] want to make is
this, my boy: You are making good
at the Magnitude Life Insurance Com
pany. You have demonstrated that you
can sell life Insurance"
And a fellow who can sell life in
surance can get it across with any
thing" I broke in excitedly.
And you once took prize for elocu-
ton" said dad. shaking his head. yet
smiIipg. 'Do try to be more circum
spect In your choice of words. But
don't accept your statement, for all
though you might sell many things on
account of your present training, 1t
does not follow that you can sell every
thing. That's neither here nor there,
though. Don't try TO get me off the
main issue. You are making good now,
and II you are careful not TO brag-yes
you do. Pete" he added as ! began to
shake my head. Il repeat 1t, If you
are careful not to brag, are cheerful
and courteous 10 your fellow agents.
they will forget about your exhibition of
had manners and you'll feel at home
with them again"
That was too much for me. and |
said hotly. why should / kowtow TO
that bunch? I'm not working for them.
and II they don't like me. I'm damned
sure i don't like them--the gang of
cheap slsates-just jealous because 1
beat them"
Quietly, my boy; remember that a
hot word can never be recalled and
may light a fire OF resentment that will
burn for a long while. II is necessary
for the progress OF business that it's
workers work together. | know sales
man for a drug house who was Won
der. He could get twice as much bust
ness as any other salesman the house
had, hut because he wouldn't work with
the others because he was always do
ing and saying things that the others
resented. he finally was let go, for the
company felt il was better to lose one
star salesman than have the whole or
ganixation disgruntled.
Don't get a swelled head, my son.
You are clever, resourceful salesman,
but you'll never succeed In big way
n you don't learn teamwork. Be SEN
sIble and stay with the Magnitude-ln
= few weeks you'll be on good terms
With Everybody II you'll only go half
way toward being friendly"
But. dad" complained. that's all
ri1ht but Mr.. Lee will pay me more
monec. and l have chance to make
r>uch more In the way of commission
How muchT
He says I ought to have $50 a weel
+ insida of three months and that some
times his men make 5000 in a single
Nee1s
~ eee." dad smiled. Tell me. Peter
how much does that Mr.. Crowley
Trofton." l corrected
rCrofton. then. earn
s'0ae. ] don't know, but / guess III
= 6iE bunch. I've been told it's NOR,
f&&n = thousand a month"
Why can't you do that selling insur
1no&f That's more than Mr. Lee sayi
"A - can make even under the best rea
>11>o conditions"
-01 we'll Crofton's different-hs
@----'' trailed on lameiy to nothing
NJ FOLKS came back Just then, Sc
~ e1dsd. II can't make you sta,
- XaGnituds OF course. but
~ Wlll for I'm gare if's 10 my
<1Hoe< 10 % ao"