February 2012
4 posts
Ten Commandments for Conmen
The early 20th century conman, “Count” Victor Lustig came up with these ten commandments - not so different from those given to salesmen. He was known as the “man who sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.”
Be a patient listener (it is this, not fast talking, that gets a con-man his coups).
Never look bored.
Wait for the other person to reveal any political opinions, then agree with them.
Let the...
J&J appoints a salesman as CEO - b-school...
Alex Gorsky, the new CEO of J&J, started his career as a salesman. This piece discusses what this means, including one offensive stereotype from, inevitably, a business school professor.
The salesman’s job “demands stamina, charisma and a near devotion to making the sale — has become a crucible for future drug company executives in recent years…Mr. Gorsky… fits the...
The three Ps of selling: Preparation, Persistence... →
A wonderful essay by Henry Alford in the New York TImes on selling the least sellable books from his shelves on the sidewalk in front of his apartment. The books include: Hitler Laughing: Comedy in the Third Reich; Impotence in the Male; and Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Man.
Amway's top China rep - makes $8 million a year →
