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THE SOUTHWESTERN COMPANY

THE STUDENT MANAGER CREED
Spend the whole session going over the student manager creed. Write down what you
agree on: 1) always be honest with each other; 2) try to be positive. make two copies of
the creed, sign both copies and have the first year person keep one.
(Note: This session, whether with a close friend or a new acquaintance, is intended to define the BUS!NESS RELAT!ON-
SH!P between you. !t should be prefaced by saying, "This meeting will give you a clear idea of what you can count
on from me, and let me share some things I'd like to be able to count on from you. My responsibility is to
help you have a good summer, and I really believe this is important to that objective. Let's take about 45
minutes to an hour to really go through it, and we can talk each item out as we visit.")
A. There are four things you can count on from me. Why don't you jot these down and let's
talk about each one:
1. !'ll always level with you. What does that mean to you?
2. !'ll NEvER ask you to do anything !'m not willing to do. For example, if you're working
12
1
/2
hours a day, you can count on me to work 13
1
/2
hours a day. Why do you think !
do that?
3. !'ll always believe in you and in what you can become. ! know that sounds corny, but it
will mean a lot to you during those times you don't even believe in yourself!
+. !'ll always be positive around you and other members of the team.
B. On the other hand, there are five things !'d like to be able to count on from you. THE
REASON ! WOULD !S BECAUSE !F YOU'LL DO THESE TH!NGS, YOU'LL HAvE A GREAT
SUNNER.
1. That you'll study hard in Sales School. Why do you think that would be important?
2. That you'll listen to my suggestions this summer. You know a lot more than ! do about
some things, but having been out there, ! definitely know this business!
3. That you'll do your best to really work hard. The most successful people in our pro
gram put in 12
1
/2
to 13
1
/2
hours per day; that's /5 to 80 hours per week. That's what it
really takes to show the books a lot of times; if you'll work, youjust can't lose.
+. That you'll always level with me. How do you feel about that?
5. That you'll stay positive around the other members of the team. That doesn't mean
you'll never get discouraged, just that you'll talk out any problems with someone
who can help you - me. Does that make sense?
C. How do these sound to you? They may sound a little funny now, but ! think this summer
they'll mean a lot more to you.
D. NY NUNBER ONE GOAL !S TO HELP YOU HAvE A GREAT SUNNER!
THE SOUTHWESTERN COMPANY