Just a few months ago, a friend of mine started a new
corporation to distribute a fingernail cosmetic.
Today this man heads one of the rapidly-growing firms of
that type in the country. His product is available in the great
department stores of the East and West, and in the North
and South.
The success secret, of course, is to be found in the man
himself. His name is Robert P. Gust and he is one of the
great salesmen of our times.
In recent years, Bob Gust has started more than 500 new
products on their way into our homes. Many of them are
household "musts" today. But when they started on their
way they were just dreams in Bob's mind.
Where has this man found the key to developing new
ideas new and useful products?
I asked Bob that question when I met him in West
Virginia recently and his answer is one of the real secrets
behind the successful careers of many men and women in
business today.
"Elmer," Bob told me, "Getting an idea is the hardest
work I do!
"I work at it from the time I awake until I fall asleep.
Usually, however, I've found this little system helps:
"To begin with either something I read or something a
friend says starts me thinking. Then, usually, I'll spend a day
or two just concentrating on the subject.
"After this period of hard drinking, I try to put the subject
completely out of mind.
"A few days pass and almost like clockwork and when
I least expect it the idea takes form and we're on the way."
Next time you want to get an idea, why don't you try Bob
Gust's system. I did. And, by golly, it seems to work!
