The 10 (+1) Films You should watch if you work in Sales

There is nothing more enjoyable and motivating than a good film, and when working in sales you need all the motivation and inspiration you can get.

From famous sales quotes, to adrenaline fuelled money making sales superstars, the film business has an odd take on the life of a salesman, sometimes it’s a cautionary tale – fly too close to the sun and you’ll get your wings clipped, others show how tough life can be. From smooth talkers to chancers, law breakers to downright frauds there are some superb characters in sales movies.

So here is a watch list for you – designed for your entertainment to be clear these are not on-line learning modules but you might just pick up some tips on being bold and asking for more or perhaps handy phrase. You may even finally grasp why you colleagues or clients say some of the odd phrases they do…show me the money

11) Two For The Money

This film isn't as well known as some of the others, but Matthew McConaughey does a great performance as a sports betting tip salesman. Working for Al Pacino, his character soon feels the pressure of living the high life.

10) The Pursuit Of Happiness

Be warned this film may inspire you to work hard, to work harder than anyone else can or does. Based on a true story about a man named Christopher Gardner, Gardner has invested heavily in a device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He feels like he has made these devices. However, they do not sell as they are only marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. After seeing a stockbroker pull up in a fancy car, he pushes himself to unbelievable limits to become one and provide for his family.

9) Boiler Room

This film is often compared to Wall Street, following the life of a small-time stock broker trying to make it big. There are some great scenes for sales people including a lesson on how to sell…

8) Lord Of War/ War Dogs

These aren’t sales movies as such, however, both show examples of people prepared to seize any opportunity and wring every last drop out of it, no matter what the morality or the danger involved. Lord of War has a lot of sales references in it. Nicolas Cage does a great job portraying an on the edge gun runner who travels the world taking advantage of the conflicts and struggles of countries and people of the world. War Dogs is based on a true story – crazy to think there is an eBay for arms and that one small deal led to pentagon presentations and repacking bullets in Albania.

7) Tommy Boy

Tommy Boy is a movie about the world’s most unlikely brake pad salesman. After the death of Tommy Boy Sr, the family business is in need of some major sales. In desperation, Tommy Boy is sent on the road to make the annual sales trip. Tommy Boy and his road companion Richard Hayden learn a lot of hilarious and hard lessons before they finally learn to make the sales stick. You’ll never view on a on board flight safety demo in the same way…

6) The Secret Of My Success.

Its Michael J Fox’s other film – often overlooked but its has some great chancer moments in it as he lives the American dream leaping from the mail room to the corner office. Fox has two identities leading to some classic Shakespearean mistaken identity moments. When I go back to Kansas I’m going in my own jet…

5) Death Of A Salesman

Salesman Willy Loman is in a crisis. He's about to lose his job, he can't pay his bills, and his sons Biff and Happy don't respect him and can't seem to live up to their potential. He wonders what went wrong and how he can make things up to his family. Great acting, great actors, and a definite must see for sales people.

4) Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire, played by Tom Cruise, is a successful sports agent. He has the biggest clients, the respect, a beautiful fiancée, he has it all. Until one night he questions his purpose and his place in the world. Full of brilliant sales quotes, a great soundtrack and some superb sales action, it's a must watch.

3) The Wolf Of Wall Street

A favorite of many sales people, The Wolf Of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, tracking from his rise from a jobless chancer, to becoming a wealthy stockbroker living the high life. Like all good tales, we then track his desperation to stay at the top to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. Full of fast paced selling, this highlights the energy needed to become super successful in sales.

2) Wall Street

A classic film that now has that retro sales feel to it. Gordon Gekko is the corporate god who the young Bud Fox desperately aspires to be. He works hard to make the connection and Gordon sensing his hunger, takes Bud under his wing showing that he must do anything to get to the top (which included illegal trading). One thing to watch is how success changes Bud’s interactions with co-workers. No matter what happens, don’t be that guy.

1) Glengarry Glen Ross

Always Be Closing - the most famous sales movie of them all, and yet many sales people out there who know it will never have seen it! Most will know about A.B.C - Always Be Closing, well this is where that quote came from. It’s real estate, it’s phones, it’s knock-down-drag-out sales. "Coffee is for closers" and as for the steak knives….

So there you go, the 10, well 10+1, well actually 12 films you really must watch if you work in sales. Whilst not your typical sales training videos by any means, there is plenty in these films you shouldn't try at home let alone at work, they are doing what you do, selling. Watch, enjoy and come to work the next day with the energy you need to build pipeline, make new contacts and drive sales.