ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES

After my parting of the ways with my ACS account (ACSII), I needed some kind of work, preferably sales. I found it in the want ads of the Washington Post.

I saw an ad for an advertising specialties salesman. Do you know what advertising specialties are? Look at the ballpoint pen in your pocket with its name and slogans; the calendars in your home, the notepads you use. They are all specialties and there are literally thousands of them on which you can print your message. I applied for the job, and although I was not experienced in this field, my sales history convinced them to hire me.

The company which got this "lucky break," was run by an individual who had years of experience in the business and was well-established. I was successful from the start, in obtaining business, but had some problems with an inefficient office staff ; a portent of things to come.

On one occasion I had worked hard to receive a $30,000 order from a non-profit organization that was holding its annual meeting in Hawaii. Two weeks before the order was to be delivered I asked ther office to clarify the deliuvery dates, and they COULD NOT FIND THE ORDER!! I left the company.

I found a similar specialties company located in Charlottesville, VA , who needed a Northern Virginia representative, and I worked for them until dear wife and I moved to Wisconsin.

More, later.