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In the
News...
Click the title below to
read articles about Thomas Ray Crowel from various publications:
Crowel's
Sweet Success
by JENNIFER MACK,
Pilot-News Staff Writer
LAKE LATONKA -- Tom Crowel is a dreamer. From
humble beginnings he started and built wealth through his fascination with sales.
With the backdrop of Lake Latonka pictured in the sliding
glass door of his color coordinated, Ethan Allen decorated living room, it's easy
to see that Crowel strives for the best in himself and others as he tells story after story of his
business, his family and his life. Always willing to learn more and relate his knowledge, Crowel
has never been satisfied with less than the best.
In 1965, he established Crowel Agency, Inc., which deals with
property and casualty insurance. Since then, Crowel has
developed Capco, a financing company, Crowel Training Center, an accredited training
school for sales people and a chain of car washes called Spot Not.
To share his secrets of
success, which he believes aren't such a secret, Crowel has written a book entitled
Simple Selling: Common Sense That Guarantees Your Success. The
proceeds of the book go to help Hoosier Boys' Town, a development center for
underprivileged youth. "I feel life's been very fortunate to me so I thought if I could write
a book and share my knowledge, I'd give the money away." Crowel said concerning
why he wrote the book.
Originally
from Hammond,
Crowel started selling door to door when he was 20 years old and has since worked his way up.
According to Crowel, he enjoyed door to door sales because it was a gamble with never knowing what
type of person would answer the door. "I'm fascinated with the
unexpected," Crowel noted.
He also feels that sales is comparable to the "high" a performer might feel in response to the applause he or she receives after a successful performance.
After quitting high school as a junior, Crowel attended Purdue University at age 38 and received a
degree in clinical psychology. He also attended the University of Chicago for graduate work.
"Psychology is no different than selling," Crowel said of why he decided to major in psychology.
"You just learn the labels," when learning psychology as opposed to sales.
"Psychology is about people, and selling is about people," he noted.
Though he loves sales, Crowel admits the business has a bad reputation for dishonesty. In the book he stresses the point that sales people need to be hones, and notes sales people got the reputation from the old day swindlers saying, "Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right up!"
"Sales people over the years have been dishonest and there are still some of those people out there," Crowel said. "If they're going to do it right, they have to be honest.
There's a big difference between conning and selling."
Other topics included in Crowel's book include appearance, motivation, the ability to listen and much more. Though the book is written specifically for sales people,
Simple Selling can be related to virtually any profession because most of the points Crowel makes apply to any type of work. The book is a quick and easy read and never dawdles for too long. Crowel makes his point and moves on to the next topic.
According to Crowel, there are three traits a sales representative must have in order to succeed, though he says he won't say. He would rather one know how he operates his business through reading
Simple Selling. He would rather become a friend while conversing instead of talking shop.
According to Crowel, the book is a good office companion and can be ordered by calling 877-999-THOMAS, with the $14.95 directly benefiting Hoosier Boys'
Town.
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For
More Than Beginners
Local
Businessman Signs Books for Area Charity
by MARGE KULLERSTAND,
Times Staff Writer
Lake County businessman Thomas Ray Crowel
wanted to write a book that might help other people to be as successful as he is in sales.
He started in sales when he was 10, selling door-to-door hobby horses he made in his
basement and has gone on to found the Crowel Agency Inc., a successful insurance agency made locally famous by the advertising character Lantern Man.
"I wanted something that would take the darkness out of the insurance business, and since our main office in Highland is surrounded by lanterns, it just seemed natural to create Lantern Man, the little super-hero who flies around shedding light on problems," Crowel said.
Tom is trying to shed some light on sales approaches with his book,
Simple Selling. It is written in an outline form with a summary at the end of each chapter and is a good reference
book for almost any business or organization. He hoped by keeping the book simple, it would serve as both a guide to first-time sellers in any business, as well as a guide for the experienced salesperson who wants to refresh a sales approach. Crowel believes his book is a "primer for the rookie and a diary for the pro."
He also wanted to write this book to give something back to the community. He is donating all the profits from
Simple Selling to Hoosier Boys' Town, which will be celebrating its 50th
anniversary this year.
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Area
Businessman writes Book on Buying, Selling
by HENRY LANGE,
News-Dispatch Staff Writer
The Crowel Companies of
Northwest Indiana -- insurance, finance, training and automatic car wash locations -- have become a symbol of
success, with entrepreneurship at the core and a founder who has decided to share his knowledge.
Thomas Ray Crowel, president and chief executive officer of Crowel Companies, has
written a book on buying and selling. The proceeds are earmarked for Boys' Town.
With insurance as the primary business, Crowel established his group of companies in 1964 in
Highland. He employs a full-time staff of 25, which includes 18 licensed insurance agents.
Simple Selling, Common Sense That Guarantees Your
Success is the title of his new book, described as "a primer for the
rookie and a diary for the pro."
Simple Selling offers readers a blueprint
for success in both buying and selling, with advice Crowel gathered over 30 years as a
successful entrepreneur. Crowel said that there are no secrets to success, "All it takes is hard work and the
ability to learn from your mistakes."
Topics include: learning how to benefit from rejection, keeping motivated -- even
when the chips are down, earning success through proven prospecting methods, and
closing the deal to everyone's satisfaction.
Crowel began selling at age 10, marketing hobby horses made in the basement of his
family home. Ten years later, he began his adult selling career that led to the founding
of his insurance company, a finance company, an insurance training center and
a franchise car wash. Along with his insurance office branch in Dunes Plaza, a
Crowel-owned Spot-Not car wash operates at 5711 Franklin St.
Crowel graduated from Purdue University at age 40, and continued his graduate work
at the University of Chicago. He has continued to serve on numerous government and civic boards, but selling
has remained his number one interest, something he does with his two sons and
partners, Thomas and Robert Crowel.
"I decided to keep my book simple for two reasons," Crowel said. "First, we, at times,
overlook the important things in life. For example, remembering a name but forgetting what that name is about." He
advises to never underestimate the need for a business card. "Second," he said, "We all should refresh
ourselves of what we already know so we can keep on track."
"Therefore," he added, "for the already successful
and seasoned salesperson, my intentions are not to attempt to show a different approach to selling,
but rather to share with you, what you are already aware of."
"For the beginner, or those needing a helping hand at selling," Crowel said, "my modest advice is
to treat your customer as they would like to be treated."
"The business of selling has been very good to me," Crowel said in an interview last week. He said he has taken the advice of mentors and
bosses who also were successful and included it in his own business philosophy.
Crowel said the writing process took about two years -- and publication is an education in itself
because of the give-and-take relationship with editors.
"I submitted the manuscript to different business
leaders in Northwest Indiana, and received a very positive response," Crowel said. He said the book
is something to keep in the briefcase as a motivator, because it has valuable tips on selling.
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The
Dirty Tricks Salespeople Use to Rob You Blind
by PAUL BANNISTER It takes a salesman to expose the dirty little tricks salespeople use to take you to the cleaners. So we called one -- and in this ENQUIRER exclusive, lifelong salesman Thomas Crowel blows the lid off his colleagues' crooked ways -- and shows you how to outwit them. "If you know what techniques the salesman's using, you can counter them, saving yourself money and getting better deals," Crowel told The ENQUIRER. In his book
Dirty Little Tricks Crowel reveals the dirtiest tricks you'll face. They include: The Flyer Lure: Merchandise pictured in the flyer is not always what you get. "A complete computer package may be pictured in the flyer, but the fine print will tell you that the monitor, keyboard and printer are sold separately -- costing you hundreds of dollars more." The Was/Now Trick: A product with a $14 sticker just barely covering an $18 sticker.
"You think you're getting a bargain, but the lower price is the true one. Check with other stores for the real deal." Extra Service cons: During oil changes, technicians often pressure you to buy extra services. "Check with your dealership," says Crowel. "That 'dirty' fuel injection system they're offering to clean might be O.K. Some vehicles have a 'check engine' light that comes on if the injectors need attention. Just knowing that can save $80." Don't be floored: Floor mats for a new vehicle are extra, sometimes as much as $200. "Many times, if you ask, the dealer will throw in the mats at NO charge. Don't ask and you'll pay for 'an extra'. " Be "nosy": "Ladies have been known to buy dresses, use them and return them," warns Crowel -- so SNIFF before you buy. "If the dress smells like smoke, or doesn't smell new, it's probably been used and returned -- and might be damaged too." Don't let your dentist put the "bite" on you: Many people go for porcelain fillings, because they look better than silver. "What the dentist doesn't tell you is porcelain fillings make the tooth more sensitive to heat and cold, because they're not as good an insulator as silver. And what does having sensitive teeth make you do more often? Yes, see the dentist." Nobody likes to be taken for a ride, says Crowel. Knowing the dirty sales tricks in advance can help put you in the driver's seat. read
the article on the National Enquirer web site
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