Best sales/ success book you have read

"You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar" by David Sandler

 

What are you selling? The problem with books is they are teaching theory, in many instances in the sales process theory doesn't work, the closes that may have worked 20 years ago are no longer relevant, I honestly believe what you are selling relates directly to how you should sell it. Explain what you are selling and I should be able to give you some advice, btw I own a sales & marketing co!

 

any book by Og Mandido but my favorite is Think and Grow Rich by Dale Caregie. JJ

 

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and Secrets of Closing the sale by Zig Ziglar. They seem a bit dated and cheesy when you read them but they give you the simple foundations on how to be successful in sales, business, and life.

 

Selling's really an individual kind of thing. I don't think a book can teach you how to properly interact with people. I've been through the Dale Carnegie stuff (even won some awards there), but I found it to be really manipulative. I think people are smarter than that, see it coming and resent it.

The truth is, selling is 80% of THEM doing the talking. When I shut up, great things seem to happen.

RMX

 

Customers for life - Carl Sewell

 

kind of off topic, but: jim cramer's real money, some great stock expertise in there.

 

Agreed. Unless you sell to idiots (and hey, there are a bunch of idiots out there!).

On the other hand I do enjoy salesmen who have standard play books when making deals. I enjoy driving them crazy by forcing them to actually be a SALESman rather than act out a script.

 

The Sandler book teaches a different way. I agree you can't learn everything from a book, but it can help point you in the right direction.

Matt

 

I would suggest subscribing here and then you will have access to the business section of the forum where you can get some very good advice.

 

I've been in sales on and off all my life. With the exception of a decade-long musical career which required me to do absolutely NOTHING, I've pretty much been a salesman. A reluctant one, but a salesman nonetheless.

I hate manipulative selling. I think there may be long term repercussions for that kind of behavior. I've discovered as I've grown a bit older that if I just shut my big mouth and let them talk, I get 1) the chance to think about where they're coming from and carry on a meaningful conversation and 2) get more business. I do commercial real estate, so the benefits are enormous and I've learned to shut up for my own benefit.

I've also learned to SHUT UP during negotiations, too. I'll count to three before I answer someone. Typically I don't have to do much talking because people HATE that silence. It's almost like a weapon.

RMX

 

INFLUENCE by Robert Cialdini.

He is a social psychologist who has come up with the 6 factors of influence. His findings have proven successful sales tactics on making people act in accordance to what you want.

Even if you don't use this book for sales, being able to use it in your personal life is nice as well.

 

Magic of Thinking Big by David Swartz... Not sure on the spelling of name. JJ

 

Closing is all about natural talent! Gotta live it, can't find it in a book!

*edit* The only guy closing this deal is the one getting the $29.99 for the book! D'OH!

 

Yes true however most people do not have the comm skills to close and they need the inspirational, instructional, intelectual education some of these books provide to expand that skill. I hope to meet you on sunday by the way. JJ

 

Closing requires balls. Communication skills come from repeating the pitch and overcoming objections....hence the "Gotta Live it" comment.

 

I used to cater in a BBQ lunch every Friday and we'd all sit and watch "The scene" from Glengarry Glen Ross while feasting on bones!

To hell with books!

 

How many aspiring LA actors were on that catering crew? Make them watch it, too?

 

Always the win-win!

 

Ah, you must have had some of the aspiring actresses from the... um... valley studios, perhaps.

 

Hey, someone had to clean up under the desk!

 

There was something to clean up?

 

I assure you, if anything ever got on my Persian rug they were not invited back!

 

Put that Coffee down. Coffee s for closers...