A wheeler-dealer

Post 73 To be professional in one’s dealings

A wheeler-dealer is an Informal term for one who bargains shrewdly or advances one's own interests by aggressive or unscrupulous behavior. There is a lack of professionalism in one’s business dealings. Hence a successful sales person always steers clear of the wheeler-dealer mentality.

Fan Li (范蠡) was an ancient Chinese advisor of ministerial rank. He later resigned, renamed himself Tao Zhugong (陶朱公) and became an icon in business management. His book on “Golden Rules of Business Success" (经商宝典) which includes Twelve Business Principles and Twelve Business Pitfalls remains relevant till today.

Tao Zhugong, a tycoon himself, was a man of principle who was against those who wheel and deal in a selfish and unscrupulous way. His first golden rule states that one must have the ability to know people’s character. A wheeler-dealer is easily detectable because he can fix anything for a price.

Tao also gave the advice that one should not give in to herd instinct which is the instinct to think and behave like the majority of people. This herd instinct is common in share markets.

A wheeler-dealer who is over zealous and canny in his business dealings may ruin his character.

14 December 2010