How Ben Franklin Crushed His Former Boss

Historians call Ben Franklin the "First American" because he was so responsible for shaping America and the American Character.

Ben was also one hell of a businessman with a sharp eye on building and maintaining his reputation.

Ben Franklin credits his success in his autobiography to his hard work and industriousness.

Ben had to sell his creditors, his suppliers, and his subscribers on his worthiness both as a businessman and a publisher.

Without creditors believing in him, he would lack access to the capital he needed to grow his business.

Without suppliers believing in him, they would be less inclined to provide him the best quality goods first, or to extend credit to him for the materials needed to run his publishing business.

And of course if potential readers of his newspaper thought he was slovenly, then they would be less attracted to purchasing, reading, and recommending his newspaper.

Ben talked about how he made it a point to show others how hard working and industrious he was to secure his "credit and character as a tradesman".

He said he even carried his paper supplies through town in a wheelbarrow to  show everyone how hard working he was.

This had the triple effect of impressing his creditors, suppliers, and potential readers that he was a busy young man. And since they saw him to be a "busy young man", then he must be someone worth investing in, someone who will pay his bills, and someone who puts out a newspaper that a lot of people read so it must be worth my time to read it too.

Through persistent hard work as well as consistent management of his reputation, Ben Franklin slowly crushed his former employer and put him out of business.

He wasn't mean or spiteful about it. His former employer just wasn't willing to work as hard, didn't have a big enough vision, and didn't pay close enough attention to his reputation among creditors, suppliers, and subscribers.

His former employer's persistent neglect lost out to Franklin's persistent effort and attention. In the face of Franklin's growing printing business, his former employer had to sell off his printing house to satisfy his creditors.

Ben Franklin's life offers timeless lessons for everyone. There are no quick fixes, no easy roads to long lasting success.

When you persist at doing the right things, you will get better over time, no matter how challenging things may seem in the present. Do the right things when you sell. Start selling the Persuasive Selling Skills way today.


Sell with Pride,

Shameless Shamus