The Southwestern Company Internship Difference Blog
In the February 2010 Direct Selling News “Top Desk” column, Southwestern Company President, Dan Moore, addresses a new idea with very old roots.
It has to do with the introduction of entrepreneurialism to young people. According to Dan, this is something that has been happening at Southwestern Company for a long time – 142 years to be exact.
One day, while listening in the car to National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, there was an interview with Charles Handy, founder of the London Business School and a management consultant, of whom Dan has followed for some time.
Mr. Handy maintains we should start thinking about jobs in a whole new light and introduce the concepts of entrepreneurialism to young people early on. In this article, Dan points out Mr. Handy’s “new light” when broken down is actually the driving force behind direct selling companies – and at least in Southwestern’s case, has been for along time.
Through direct sales, Dan has had the opportunity to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with over 70,000 college students. He says “it is a privilege to be in direct selling and working with the greatest young people in the world.” He continues by saying, “it is exciting to teach enduring principles to young people, knowing they will add their own unique talents and flavorings to them as they grow their business within Southwestern’s direct selling program.”
In the article, Dan talks about lessons learned from his student manager and concepts he picked up from Spencer Hays. With 36 summers under his belt in direct selling, Dan Moore has had the privilege of learning from and working directly with two Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame members (Spencer Hays & Jerry Heffel) and hundreds of other DSA staff members and other member company representatives who have unselfishly shared their time and influence, not only with him, but with young college students as well.
Digesting the fact that the benefits of direct sales goes beyond simply selling and teached young people life skills is what we are all about… and it’s not new, either.
To go to Southwestern Company media website for article, click here.
To go to Direct Selling News online posting of article, click here.
Trey: it is interesting that entrepreneurism is such a hot and growing topic on college campuses, while we’ve been at it for so long. It’s time to merge our efforts with academia!
Great post, Trey! I think a lot of students want to be entrepreneur’s but just don’t know how or where to start!! It is wonderful that we are able to get these young adults standing on their own two feet so that once in the “real world” they can hit the ground running!