THE SCIENCE OF BUSINESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1919, Page 6

THE SCIENCE OF BUSINESS.

THE SHELDON SYSTEM. That business is a science—or should be— is becoming 'more widely acknowledged by men in every department of life to-day than ever. The. necessity for systematising the conduct of business is becoming more pressing, and will be more so during the reconstruction period following the late war. It was, therefore, satisfactory to see the very representative gathering of business men from almost every commercial house in New Plymouth at the Good Templar Hall last night to hear an address by Mr. Edward Moulton, the representative of the Sheldon system of business science. The chair was taken by Colonel C. W. Weston, D.S.O. Mr. Moulton told the story of the genesis and development of the Sheldon eystem, which, he said, was founded in 1902 by the than whose name it bears, and has since been adopted by over 3000 firms, and is studied by more than 100,000 men. In brief, the system teaches the laws of personal efficiency and business science, and is claimed to be the most successful method of preparing men for higher responsibilities in the commercial world. Efficiency, the speaker said, was the maximum of desired results with a minimum expenditure of time, money, energy, material, etc., and the Sheldon course was an organisation of the forces that made for that result. The first requisite for the successful business man was mental efficiency, backed by physical power. The system he advocated taught a man to improve his ability to think, plan, and achieve. Having'done that, the next step was to have business knowledge thoroughly organised. For this an analysis of one's work was essential, following which should come a readier means of expressing ideas through the medium of proper language. and correct methods, in such a way as to appeal to and persuade others. In coming to the question of "the other fellow" in business, the speaker stressed the need of a good understanding of human nature. As a man analysed his own work, so he should analvse his clients in business, by noting the temperament, expression, gesture, voice, etc., and so judge quickly and accurately the outstanding characteristics of any' person. The lecturer then went on to elaborate the step.s in successful salesmanship, and finally mentioned the names of a. number of prominent business men in New Zealand who bad adopted the Sheldon system, and also firms who had enrolled many of their employees for the course of lectures and lessons given. At the conclusion, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Moulton for his address, and a large number remained behind with a view to joinin" a circle for the study of the system. *