Pet Rock

The inventor of The Pet Rock died. His invention was Exhibit A in the argument that, given the right packaging and promotion, you can sell anything.

One might think this is a heartening story to those of us in business but unless you are searching for an overnight blend of scam and success, it is demoralizing. "Sell the sizzle, not the steak" is a sales mantra and it makes sense but there is another part to the message. There was in fact a steak. You weren't just selling sizzle.

But some days, it appears, you can.