BUSINESS METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 37, 13 February 1930, Page 26

BUSINESS METHODS.

This is a crude age in some respects, in spite of our civilisation. One of my sons' answered an advertisement for a "boy salesman" recently. I did not know what a boy salesman could be, but thought we would investigate. In due time my. son received a letter asking him to call at 9.30 the following day. My son did so and was on time. He was told to come back at 12.30, as the manager was not there—though the latter had : written himself and made the appointment. My son went back at 12.30, but was told to come.back at 5.30, as the manager would not be back till then — three car fares to town and back because this man apparently did not consider it necessary to keep his appointment in the first place. At the interview my son was told, that he would have to take messages if he was appointed—the "boy salesman" appeared to be wholly a sort of magnet to attract applicants—a quite misleading advertisement. I have just this to say, that in course of an extended experience in other countries I have never met anyone so utterly lax in keeping appointments as many New Zealand business men, nor have I met so many who procrastinate as do Auckland business men. The large majority seem to be utterly incapable of making up their minds or coming to a reasonably promdecision. This same comment I have heard from many overseas business men travelling here. C.L.