Sales skills are some of the most important for life, business, career; they apply in all aspects. Be careful when approaching a sales career, because it's easy to get bogged down in the social structure of a typical sales office; but learning how to sell can make you rich. In the links below one is a playlist of sales training by master salesman Jordan Belfort and the other is a scene from Glengarry Glen Ross that teaches a lot about sales (and life.) There's some language, F' words; so don't click if offended by foul language.
Glengary Glen Ross iconic scene Jordan Belfort Sales School playlistSee You at the Top by Zig Ziglar
How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins
How to Sell Anything to Anybody by Joe Girard
If you have sales skills, you can thrive in direct sales roles like a car salesman, stockbroker, realtor, jet leasing agent; etc. Beyond that, sales expertise enhances marketing ability, helps secure investors, persuades customers, attracts romantic partners, and increases your chances of landing a job. Strong sales skills also empower you to excel in fundraising, negotiate better deals, influence decision-making, and navigate social dynamics with confidence. At its core, sales is the art of persuasion, whether you're closing a business deal, rallying support for an idea, or strengthening personal relationships. Mastering it unlocks opportunities in every area of life, from career success to personal fulfillment.
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Here's the top 10 list of Jordan Peterson's 12 rules for life:
Stand up straight with your shoulders back.
Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.
Make friends with people who want the best for you.
Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.
Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.
Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.
Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).
Tell the truth, or at least, don't lie.
Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you dont.
Be precise in your speech.
The closing process in sales involves several key steps to ensure a successful deal. First, trial closing is used throughout the conversation to gauge the prospect's readiness to buy by asking low-pressure questions like, "Does this sound like what you're looking for?" If concerns arise, the next step is to isolate objections by identifying the real roadblocks and confirming they are the only barriers left, e.g., "If we could address this pricing concern, would you be ready to move forward?" Once objections are addressed, the salesperson creates urgency by highlighting limited availability, special pricing, or other compelling reasons to act now. Finally, the final close is executed by directly asking for the sale, using an assumptive approach ("Would you like it delivered Tuesday or Wednesday?") or a direct approach ("Let's get the paperwork started."). Effective closing balances persistence with rapport, ensuring the prospect feels confident in their decision.
This next clip discusses a Yale university study on how people respond to orders, viewer discretion advised (shocking material.)