Agent

Vol. 1
No. 6

April
1925

Why My Job as Agent
Is Important

By J. A. ROUSH
AGENT, CUCHARA JUNCTION

WHILE not intending to improve on the two articles written by Mr. Reed and Mr. Bird, appearing in the February issue, in which they have so aptly said "Station handling is a subject upon which much may be written," it may also be truly said that the subject cannot be fully covered by any one article or writer, for the fact is that the duties of an agent are, practically speaking, innumerable, to say nothing of other activities not enumerated as "duties" to which the agent should give his personal attention, a few of which I will endeavor to enumerate and at the same time avoid, as far as possible, touching upon subjects already covered.

GETTING BUSINESS

It does not necessarily mean to get a man's business that this should be foremost in your conversation, but I would say first, to cultivate his true friendship by so conducting yourself that he will be proud to number you among his friends and, by so doing, his business will turn your way, in most cases, with little or no solicitation; however, do not lose sight of the fact that tactful solicitation is conducive to more and better business, neither should the agent lose sight of the fact that the small shipper of today may be the large shipper of tomorrow.

Cultivate friendship and become personally interested in the progress of your entire community and its affairs, join and attend your Commercial Club, and friends thus made become your best advertisers and business getters.

HOLDING BUSINESS

Getting business is, of course, an essential duty, but to hold and handle the business after you have secured it is of equal importance and the fact should not be overlooked that satisfied shippers are an asset, while a dissatisfied shipper is a liability and it therefore behooves us to satisfy all shippers, large or small, and thereby secure for the D. & R. G. W. Railroad, and incidentally for ourselves, unexcelled free advertising and consequently more business.

The public in general is prone to form its opinion of a railroad by the character and conduct of its local employes and especially its agents and office forces and we should all. therefore, exert ourselves at all times, to make the most favorable impressions possible.

Because a shipper has received his freight in good condition and has been given a receipt for his money, it does not necessarily follow that he is satisfied, because he naturally feels that he is paying for something more than the mere transportation of his freight, and that is courtesy, and unless we deliver a liberal portion of this along with each transaction we cannot expect our patrons to give us the necessary free advertising and their future business.

In the transaction of business with the public or with your fellow employes do not allow each inward emotion to rise to the surface when things do not go as you think they should, but "Keep Smiling" and you will soon learn that your difficulties are mostly imaginary and your work will become a pleasure instead of a burden.

I enjoyed the two articles from Mr. Reed and Mr. Bird, and believe we should have more of these articles from such men who can write. Besides being interesting, such articles are helpful.