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Along Life’s Way
Orville:
Salesman/Teacher/Parent
By Lois E. Wilson
In his boyhood years near North Star, Ohio, my father Orville planted a
melon patch every year and sold the harvest. Attending Manchester
College, he was still going home to tend to his crop. Also at college,
he sold watch fobs. He would record in his journal, “Sold, one fob 70
cents.” After graduation, he sold real estate in partnership with his
brother for a few years.
In the 30’s each summer he sold watermelons on West Third Street in
Dayton. This developed into a fruit market. After a few years, he added
another market on East Third Street. These were in addition to his
teaching during the school year. At Christmastime, he sold Yule trees
and wreaths at the west site.
Fifteen years later he sold the markets. His new side career with
teaching was selling life insurance. He did it part-time in Dayton. The
main office was in Cincinnati. Several years he topped that office in
volume of sales.
My father was a master teacher in Sunday school classes and in public
schools. He taught business classes and typing for 42 years. Instead of
having students practice boring textbook exercises, he compiled
inspirational readings of prose and poetry by noted authors for them to
type. He was educating in more ways than one.
I wondered, what makes a good salesperson? The attributes for a
successful salesperson are those desirable in teachers too. That makes
sense; teachers are selling knowledge. This is my list:
1. Is assertive.
2. Exhibits high standards.
3. Is willing to invest in self
improvement and education.
4. Listens well and has empathy.
5. Is fair and consistent in the
treatment of others.
6. Doesn’t accept less than the best.
7. Delivers what is promised.
8. Sees problems as opportunities.
9. Thinks, plans, and adjusts constantly.
10.
Is always optimistic and never gives up.
If you haven’t guessed by now, these attributes are appropriate for
parents to demonstrate with their children. After all, parents are
their child’s first teachers, and parenting is a lifetime job. They are
certainly involved in selling every day. Have you ever tried to sell
the concept, “It’s time to clean up your room!”
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