The Clock Ticks On Marking Time In A New Age Of Selling by Bert Tenzer Lyrics
*Woodblock cracking*
Narrator: The clock ticks on, marking time in a new age of selling. We have seen how strategic questioning is an intricate part of this age — a radar system for precision sales. But more is needed. The best worded, most precise presentation is to no avail unless it be believed by the prospective buyer. And here we come to the big challenge of this age. The present-day consumer is cynical, skeptical, disbelieving. Getting him to accept, to believe, is the major obstacle confronting today's salesman. To overcome this situation, we must first know what has brought it about.
Philip White: Mental conditioning has brought this about. I am Doctor Philip White, clinical psychologist. See this cage with the dog in it? Watch what happens when I ring the bell. (*Buzzer sounds, dog barks*) Observe the dog — notice the saliva, the signs of hunger. Over a long period, each time we rang the bell, we fed the dog. After a while, the dog subconsciously associated the sound of the bell with food. This dog is conditioned. People can also become conditioned. Today's consumer has been conditioned to associate selling with skepticism. The reason is evident: today, as never before, the consumer is bombarded from all directions with radio and television commercials, newspaper, magazine ads, as well as by countless numbers of salesmen, all with the perfect reason as to why their product should be bought. If the consumer listens and believes, he'll find himself buying everything! In self-defense, he conditions himself to be skeptical of anyone who tries to sell him. Thus, when the consumer comes in contact with the salesman (*Buzzer sounds*), the bell rings and his skepticism automatically comes to the surface.
Narrator: There is the challenge, and the reasons behind it. How do we cope with it? First, let's see how the adman of today is meeting it on his level. This is Madison Avenue, New York City — advertising center of the world. Behind those impressive doors is an army of men skilled in the science of motivation.
Account executive: I'm an account executive. It used to be when you could sell with words alone — good, strong, hard-sell copy. Ha ha, not anymore. Today's public is too cynical. They're too skeptical. Now, we sell by associating a product with things of enjoyment such as the spray of ocean, or a cool forest glen. We convey feelings of quality with certain moods of music, instead of with words. We've got to sell today's consumers without their even knowing they're being sold. It's the only way to get around this skepticism.
Narrator: The advertising man's answer. But his job is only to create the desire. What about the salesman? The man on the firing line who must get the actual order? What is his solution? Before I present you with that, let us listen — listen to a man unable to meet this challenge.
Salesman: Madam, all I want is five minutes of your time. I am going to prove to you that my company manufactures a product that you absolutely cannot afford to be without. I know an intelligent woman like yourself will appreciate instantly the tremendous advantage of my company's product. I don't care what your experience has been; it makes no difference.
Narrator: The clock ticks on, marking time in a new age of selling. We have seen how strategic questioning is an intricate part of this age — a radar system for precision sales. But more is needed. The best worded, most precise presentation is to no avail unless it be believed by the prospective buyer. And here we come to the big challenge of this age. The present-day consumer is cynical, skeptical, disbelieving. Getting him to accept, to believe, is the major obstacle confronting today's salesman. To overcome this situation, we must first know what has brought it about.
Philip White: Mental conditioning has brought this about. I am Doctor Philip White, clinical psychologist. See this cage with the dog in it? Watch what happens when I ring the bell. (*Buzzer sounds, dog barks*) Observe the dog — notice the saliva, the signs of hunger. Over a long period, each time we rang the bell, we fed the dog. After a while, the dog subconsciously associated the sound of the bell with food. This dog is conditioned. People can also become conditioned. Today's consumer has been conditioned to associate selling with skepticism. The reason is evident: today, as never before, the consumer is bombarded from all directions with radio and television commercials, newspaper, magazine ads, as well as by countless numbers of salesmen, all with the perfect reason as to why their product should be bought. If the consumer listens and believes, he'll find himself buying everything! In self-defense, he conditions himself to be skeptical of anyone who tries to sell him. Thus, when the consumer comes in contact with the salesman (*Buzzer sounds*), the bell rings and his skepticism automatically comes to the surface.
Narrator: There is the challenge, and the reasons behind it. How do we cope with it? First, let's see how the adman of today is meeting it on his level. This is Madison Avenue, New York City — advertising center of the world. Behind those impressive doors is an army of men skilled in the science of motivation.
Account executive: I'm an account executive. It used to be when you could sell with words alone — good, strong, hard-sell copy. Ha ha, not anymore. Today's public is too cynical. They're too skeptical. Now, we sell by associating a product with things of enjoyment such as the spray of ocean, or a cool forest glen. We convey feelings of quality with certain moods of music, instead of with words. We've got to sell today's consumers without their even knowing they're being sold. It's the only way to get around this skepticism.
Narrator: The advertising man's answer. But his job is only to create the desire. What about the salesman? The man on the firing line who must get the actual order? What is his solution? Before I present you with that, let us listen — listen to a man unable to meet this challenge.
Salesman: Madam, all I want is five minutes of your time. I am going to prove to you that my company manufactures a product that you absolutely cannot afford to be without. I know an intelligent woman like yourself will appreciate instantly the tremendous advantage of my company's product. I don't care what your experience has been; it makes no difference.