Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

A Gift

Yes, a gift from me to all grandfathers, and you to your grandsons! For those grandsons who are graduating from college in just a few weeks! I expect most of you have not even thought about it yet, but time is swiftly passing, and if you haven’t, your wife or daughter will remind you shortly!


Now, pay attention! I was in sales, sales training, and sales management from the time I was 22 years old until I passed 79. You might give me credit that I might have learned a thing or two! All of you with graduating grandsons will soon be faced with making a choice of what does your grandson wants or needs. And most will not have a clue.

Here it is, sooner or later, if your grandson is in sales, or even marketing, he will be given this test. The person or manager who is doing the interviewing will hold up a pen and say, “Sell me this pen.” The applicant, being surprised at this trick, will stumble, stutter, and talk about the attributes of this .79 cent BIC pen. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Since this is all make believe, a hypothetical question, it should be answered with much more imagination.
Such as: Oh! Sir, this is a Mont Blanc George XIV Roller Ball pen. I read in the Wall Street Journal recently that King Charles III gave one of these to his sons when they graduated from college! (Make up your own quick response!)

Or Wow! I have never actually used a Mont Blanc (or any other top line pen), but my grandfather has one like this. I am sure you know they had a lifetime warranty, so you are a very lucky man (woman) to have this pen.
Now if you have your American Express card this pen is only $1,399. It comes with a very handsome black onyx case. I will throw in a box of ink cartridges, and you will be the most favored grandfather that I know you are.
A tip for anyone owning an expensive pen like this, when anyone asks you to borrow your pen, always open the pen and keep the cap in your hand. Otherwise, you may be the unfortuate person who has given away your pen without wanting to, pens and pocketknives are often lost by kind of carelessness.

So, grandad, you have taught your grandson to fish and shoot, now teach him how to survive and prosper in the business world. It is the least you can do. I certainly intend to teach mine!

Please note I did not suggest you buy a Montblanc pen for your grandson! There are excellent roller ball pens for as little as $200, but you do not have to buy anything that is expensive. The idea is to be able to play the sales trainer’s game! If you can afford Montblanc, or anything in that class, they have a few models priced around the high $200’s!

Today, just a moment ago, I noticed that Montblanc had posted a large advertisement on this network. There is absolutely no connection with their ad and my post, just a coincidence. Just Sayin…RJS

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Not a coincidence the algorithm is always paying attention.🥸


Good advice as usual.

Billycrap2 Loc: Mason county,W(BY GOD) Virginia, 🇺🇸🦅

Now you just learn how cookies work and just been marketed by what you was talking about that pen 🖊️😳😳😳

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yep, looks like you are dead on! Just Sayin...RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Great advice RJ. As a salesman myself—you passed on some great advice.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

One of my Uncles gave me a box of #2 pencils when I was in Junior High School. These were personalized pencils from his company, he was working for National Cash Register and these NCR pencils had the phrase “This pencil could cost you $10,000!”. I got through school with those pencils, and my friends thought I had $10,000 pencils. It was a simple lesson (in my mind) to pay attention to details, think about what you are listening to and especially what you write down. 😉

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

You might be starting out as a part-time employee and just delivering mail, but that doesn't keep you from thinking like a president! Just Sayin...RJS