Clement Stone RIP

Well, I didn't know he was still alive, but
Clement Stone died at 100 on Sept. 3, 2002.
You can check http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/nation/1560974 for more info.

Oliver


Clement Stone died at 100

Back in the early '70's I started a Burglar & Fire Alarm biz (Securotronics Corp) from my home in Evanston, Ill.

I kept seeing photos of Clem Stone in the papers (he was the founder of Combined Insurance Co and later, Success Magazine and...a great philanthropist) In every photo there was a BIG cigar in his hand or mouth.

I thought that IF I could get an alarm installed in Mr Stone's home...he'd be a great center of influence.

An idea popped in the ol brainium;
"I wonder where he gets his cigars? I'll bet they are VERY special....and I'll bet he orders them special. If I could get some of his cigars I could offer those as a "door opener" to get to give my alarm presentation and estimate."

So...I went to the street his insurance biz was on and noticed a small "Cigar Store" a few doors down from his office. (In those days they were called "Cigar or Tobacco" stores)

I went in and asked the clerk if Mr Stone bought cigars here. The guy said he did and he had just placed an order for his SPECIAL HAVANAS. I asked what those cigars cost ($50 a decanter of 25... TWO BUX A GAR....in THOSE DAYS)

Thinking quickly....I asked if I could add a decanter to that order and could I pay an extra $50 for the tobacconist to DELAY calling Mr Stone that his order was in....for ONE day. I wanted to use the decanter I bought as a GIFT for Mr Stone.

The tobacconist agreed. A week or so later, the tobacconist called me on a Friday morn and told me the cigars were in and he would wait to call Mr Stone until Monday morn.

I rushed over...picked up my decanter...paid the $50 "delay" fee and the next morning (Sat) at 10am I was knocking on Mr Stone's lakefront mansion.

The huge metal and glass door opened and here's this small woman in a black & white maid's outfit. I handed her the decanter and told her, "Hi! These are for Mr Stone for FIVE minutes of his time. Tell him if it goes beyond 5 min it's because HE has asked me to stay. Would you relay that to him, please?"

She took the decanter and CLOSED the door. I thought, "Oh well, I've wasted $100 on frivilous things before."

Just as I was getting ready to take a step off the porch I hear a high-pitched voice (he had a very high-pitched voice) inside saying..."You, out there...open the door....come in here!"

I opened the door and there was Mr Stone, standing at the top of this staircase in his silk smoking jacket, holding my decanter of cigars AND one was lit in his hand.

"C'mon up young man...let's see what you have!"

As the leader of a small army insurance salespeople, he was VERY interested in MY way of prospecting and WHERE did I get the idea of offering a gift of his favorite cigars for a few minutes of his time and WHAT motivated me...so... I spent the next hour or so talking about ME.

He then asked me to go around with his secretary and come up with a "security plan"...which I did and not only did Mr Stone buy my system but he became my BEST referral. In fact, because of him I was able to get into some of the best homes on the NorthShore of Chicago and my alarm biz prospered greatly.

So...thanks for mentioning one of the truly GREAT human beings ever to come down the pike.

Don Alm

> Well, I didn't know he was still alive, but
> Clement Stone died at 100 on Sept. 3, 2002.
> You can check
> http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/nation/1560974
> for more info.

> Oliver




Some of my Unique, money-making programs.

What a great story! Thanks for sharing.




1-2-3's of Internet Marketing - Get the Attention You Deserve

Back in the late 70s, one of Clement Stone's people contacted me about the possibility of buying one of my business operations. -- I told him I wasn't really interested in selling - but - what the hey, I'm always open to an offer.

After a few more telephone calls, it was arranged for me to meet with Stone in Nashville, where he was speaking.

When I arrived a guy by the name of Pat Boone took the message to Stone that I had arrived.

Over the next hour or so, Stone & I discussed his wanting to buy my company. -- I didn't want to sell. He didn't want to take NO for an answer.

We had concluded our discussion ... not to Stone's liking ... when a young reporter asked if she could take a picture of Stone & me together. -- We both consented, then, she made an almost fatal mistake.

First ... let me explain ... at that time, I too wore a pencil line black mustache.

After taking the picture she said, "Did you know you two look like father & son." -- It tickled me but Stone didn't think it was funny & told her so.

Over the years, we became fast friends & the picture of me & him still hangs on my office wall.

May he rest in eternal peace ... he was an inspiration to us all.

Jim

Mr Stone invited me to come down to one of his morning sales meetings with his Insurance Co sales staff.

The topic that day was "prospecting".

He had me tell the story of how I "prospected" HIM for my alarm business.

At that meeting I watched in awe as this group of salespeople went thru a "Positive - Get-Yourself UP- rah-rah" session I have never again experienced.

They were SHOUTING and jumping up and down, repeating the salesleaders phrases...."I AM GREAT! I AM THE BEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD! I FEEL WONDERFUL! I AM A CLOSER! I CAN SELL ANYTHING TO ANYONE!"....etc.

Man-o-man....when those people left that room they were PSYCHED! Nobody could tell THEM "No!"

I tried to imitate some of that meeting with my own group of sales people but Clem Stone's group were the masters.

There IS something to the idea that..."what your mind can conceive and believe...you can ACHIEVE!"

MANY....MANY times in my direct sales career when I was starting to sell a new product or service OR, even on days I just did NOT feel like meeting people and trying to sell them....I would "talk to myself"...."Self! You WILL SELL today! You WILL feel GOOD about yourself! You WILL give a great presentation! You WILL get the order!"... etc

Then...I would "shake off the blues" and be ON TOP again....full of gusto and spirit.

Ain't life grand?

I sure enjoy selling stuff.

Don Alm

> Back in the late 70s, one of Clement Stone's
> people contacted me about the possibility of
> buying one of my business operations. -- I
> told him I wasn't really interested in
> selling - but - what the hey, I'm always
> open to an offer.

> After a few more telephone calls, it was
> arranged for me to meet with Stone in
> Nashville, where he was speaking.

> When I arrived a guy by the name of Pat
> Boone took the message to Stone that I had
> arrived.

> Over the next hour or so, Stone & I
> discussed his wanting to buy my company. --
> I didn't want to sell. He didn't want to
> take NO for an answer.

> We had concluded our discussion ... not to
> Stone's liking ... when a young reporter
> asked if she could take a picture of Stone
> & me together. -- We both consented,
> then, she made an almost fatal mistake.

> First ... let me explain ... at that time, I
> too wore a pencil line black mustache.

> After taking the picture she said, "Did
> you know you two look like father &
> son." -- It tickled me but Stone didn't
> think it was funny & told her so.

> Over the years, we became fast friends &
> the picture of me & him still hangs on
> my office wall.

> May he rest in eternal peace ... he was an
> inspiration to us all.

> Jim




Some of my Unique, money-making programs.

...I catch these amazing posts from you both, Don and Jim.

I'm always harping (OK - reminding) my subscribers that you should look to those who are where you want to be - and then I come across these posts that show BOTH sides of the coin!

Your stories have showed us how minds 'tuned' to success at both the top and not-so-top of the ladder work.

Clement Stone obviously wasn't happy with his 'lot' - and remained open to any new ideas that he could apply to his business.

And of course Don - you certainly cannot be accused of not 'thinking outside of the box' (I've been lurking for long time! lol)

I think we all can take comfort for the fact that, even though the 'net is a brand new medium - originality combined with action is a timeless path to success.

Thanks for your inspiration!

To Our Success!

Gary


The Secret of Talking Without Words...