Success stories are powerful things – they remind us of what we’re capable of, they inspire us and the lessons we can learn from each and every one is huge. Take this awesome story about Brownie Wise, who turned the fortunes of Tupperware (developed by Earl Silas Tupper) around. I’ve written about Tupperware in the past (read 4 Lessons You Can Learn From Tupperware) and this article I just read reinforces how legendary the company is – well, how Brownie made it so legendary.
Tupper couldn’t believe how many sales divorced single mum Brownie was garnering for his product. When he asked her for the secret, she explained that it was pointless to have Tupperware sitting on store shelves or in catalogs and expecting people to want to buy it. She explained that people had to touch it, squeeze it, drop it, seal it. They had to experience it from someone they trusted – a friend or neighbor. Her bold advice to Tupper? ” Ditch department stores altogether and focus entirely on throwing home parties.”
Obviously this lesson won’t translate well for all businesses, but many of Brownie’s and Tupperware’s lessons in business will. The lessons in focusing on networks, reputation and the quality of your product. The lesson in finding salespeople who have a hunger and drive and believe in the product they’re selling. The business changing lesson in finding people who work like they want to own the company. if only we could all find ourselves a Brownie!
Wise was visionary and had incredible business nous. Take this, for example: “Wise was something of an early Oprah, giving away fantastic prizes, operating in a grass-roots, word-of-mouth fashion and showing rather than telling other women how to succeed in the comfort of their own homes. The fact that she made many women understand the benefits of becoming salespeople, building the brand further, simply made her a fantastic executive.” I’d call that exceptional marketing and top-class leadership. Read the full article here for more inspiration. You won’t look at your plastics drawer the same again! If you’re struggling with how to motivate your team, how to excite your customers and how to create a great reputation for your brand, get in touch for some business coaching, business strategy and even a look at your business plan: talk to Business Changing NZ: zac@businesschanging.com
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