Interesting bit of sales history from justsell.com, talking about Tupperware and the evolution of how it was sold:
An inexperienced business person until a divorce in 1942, Ms. Brownie Wise began selling Stanley Home Products at home parties to earn extra money outside of her regular jobs. When she came across the "Wonderbowl" (the first name for Tupperware) in 1947, she and several others from Stanley switched from selling Stanley products to Tupperware -- still using the "home party" method.
The ladies' sales success began to exceed the volume generated by the department stores. This led to a meeting with Earl Tupper and the decision to make the "home party" direct-selling method the exclusive way to market the products moving forward. Brownie was the natural choice to lead the effort, and she became the company's vice president until her termination in 1958, when Tupper could no longer tolerate the perception that she was the reason for the company's success.
I think that's a fascinating story, personally. Tupper had enough insight to see the success that was stumbled upon by Wise, and yet his own pride got in the way of a successful working relationship with the woman who changed the way his business worked.
Is there a better and different way to sell your product or service? Are you ready to put together the right team and make it work, no matter who gets the credit?
Start your week off right and re-commit yourself to thoughtful, intelligent selling.
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