August 16, 2010

Some Advice from Advertising Legend Albert Lasker

ALBERT LASKER WAS ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING INDUSTRY AND ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING BUSINESSMEN IN OUR HISTORY. MR. LASKER WAS THE INNOVATOR OF MANY THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED IN ADVERTISING AS WE KNOW IT TODAY IN THE EARLY 1900’S, AT LORD & THOMAS, HIS AGENCY WHICH WAS THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD AT THE TIME. HE WAS ASKED TO HIRE TO HIS DAUGHTER, MARY LASKER, AND HE AGREED RELUCTANTLY AT A MODEST SALARY OF $30.00 A WEEK. HE DECIDED THAT THE BEST ACTION WAS TO KEEP HIS DISTANCE FROM HIS NEWEST EMPLOYEE. HE DID, HOWEVER, LEAVE A NOTE ON HER DESK ON HER FIRST DAY AT WORK, OCTOBER 29, 1935 AND HERE IS THE LETTER:


“MY DARLING MARY, WELCOME TO LORD & THOMAS. I HOPE WE HAVE A LONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TOGETHER—IF WE DO, WE WILL BOTH GET MUCH JOY FROM IT.


BOTH AS FATHER AND EMPLOYER I GIVE YOU THIS ADVICE—TRY TO LEARN FROM EVERYONE (HIGH AND LOW), TRY TO BE OF SERVICE TO EVERY ONE (HIGH AND LOW). HE FINALLY LEADS WHO FIRST LEARNS TO SERVE. AND REMEMBER—WE SPEND OUR LIVES LEARNING. ABOVE ALL, BE YOURSELF—YOUR BEST SELF. ALWAYS THINK OF THE OTHER FELLOW’S VIEWPOINT AND TRY TO GET HIM TO THINK OF YOURS. LEARN TO WALK BEFORE YOU RUN. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF—AND BELIEVING, STRIVE TO LEARN EVERY DAY AND GROW CREATIVELY EVERY MINUTE SO THAT YOU WILL JUSTIFY YOUR BELIEF.

ALL MY LOVE, FATHER”

No comments:

Post a Comment