The Psychology of SalesmanshipAtkinson, William Walker
Science
The Psychology of Salesmanship
Atkinson, William Walker
Selling -- Psychological aspects
_Hope_, or Optimism, when highly developed causes one to look on the
bright side of things, expect favorable outcomes, look confidently
forward, and expect much from the future. Its perversion manifests in
visionary dreams and castle-building. These people are amenable to
appeals to future success, bright prospects, cheerful outlook, and new
undertakings which seem promising. They become enthusiastic when
propositions are properly presented to them, and prefer to deal with
Salesmen of similar mental characteristics. These people are natural
"bulls" in business--beware of posing as a "bear" when dealing with
them. They relish a good cheering, cheerful talk more than anything
else. They are good people to deal with, particularly if the quality in
question is balanced by caution and trained by experience.
_Spirituality_, or Other-worldliness, when highly developed tends to
cause one to live on mental heights above the things of ordinary
material existence; to trust to the "inner light;" to incline toward
mysticism; and to experience a religious consciousness above the
ordinary. When manifested in a lesser degree it is evidenced by the
ordinary "religious" feeling. Perverted, it manifests as superstition,
credulity and "psychism." The people in whom this faculty is active seem
to feel that business is a degrading necessity, and they are never
thoroughly at home in it, unless the goods handled happen to be along
the lines of their general inclination, as for instance, religious
books, etc. Consequently, their business traits and tastes arise from
the other faculties, rather than from this particular one. However, they
are easily prejudiced against one whom they imagine does not agree with
them in their beliefs and convictions, and are apt to be swayed rather
more by feeling, emotion and sentiment than by cool judgment and pure
reason. They are usually strong in their likes and dislikes, and are
susceptible to appeals to their imagination.
_Veneration_, or Reverence, when highly developed causes one to manifest
reverence and extreme respect to authority of all kinds. These people
are usually good church members and law abiding citizens. In business,
the faculty is apt to cause them to place great stress upon authority
and example. If some large merchant has ordered certain goods, they
will be impressed by his example. They regard testimonials and
recommendations highly. In dealing with them one must avoid speaking
lightly of any thing or person esteemed by them, for they will be quick
to resent it. They are usually decidedly conventional, and aim to meet
the full requirements of "respectability" and social customs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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