Retail Shoe Salesmanship

"Retail Shoe Salesmanship" by George F. Hamilton is a guide designed to teach retail shoe salesmen about sales, written in the early 1900's. The book is more than a how-to guide, as it's part of a bigger training program that focuses on one’s behavior, how one thinks, and responsibility as keys to being a successful salesman. The book pushes the idea that good salesmanship requires thinking skills and building relationships. Early on, the book describes the goals and organized structure of the training for salesmen. The text stresses that good sales skills involve growing as a person and figuring out what customers want. Hamilton highlights the importance of being mentally ready, excited, and helpful as basic parts of being a good salesman. Throughout the beginning chapters, Hamilton prepares the reader to explore different parts of retail sales, including why health is important, the values involved in talking to customers, and the need for a strong moral base in a salesman’s character.