DeWese--Lessons for the Second Millennium

Well, you've guessed it by now. I'm devoting this entire column to sales in the second millennium. I'm going to drag you kickin' and screamin' through a thousand years. When you've finished, I know you will say, "It was worth it. Our forebears in sales have taught us many lessons."

Selling a Religion
We have to start a few years prior to 1000 when, in 987, Vladimir of Russia (back then lots of folks had no last name), the czar, decided the Russians should have a religion. He sent envoys to other countries to study Judaism, Islam and Roman Catholicism. Back then, sending envoys was a big, troublesome deal. There were no Ritz-Carltons and no first-class seats on the camel caravans. Envoys sent to study something could kiss 10 to 20 years goodbye.