There are good days and bad days in everyone’s life.
For a sales professional, every day is a new day to reach out, interact, and close a deal.
Quite easy to say but in real life, it’s like walking on thin ice. The worst part is you need to act according to the response you get from the other end and it is often clouded with doubts and negative thoughts.
I have come across a lot of sales professionals in the span of my professional career and needless to say, most of them have inspired me to go the extra mile (although I’m not directly into the sales domain).
Some of them work 15-16 hours a day without complaining about the toxic work culture while some of them work less than 3-4 hours and are quite confident of moving their targets on the higher scales at the end of the month.
I often ask them, what drives them the most to outperform themselves every day?
Some say, they read a lot of books, some state it’s their passion, while some count on inspirational movies to get them going despite the roadblocks they face in everyday life. Here are some of the top sales movies that have inspired quite a few high-paying sales pros I’ve come across.
1. The Founder
Based on the true story of Ray Kroc – the man responsible for the colossal success of McDonald’s, ‘The Founder’ is a must-watch for those who have the ambition to be the ultimate decision-maker of an organization.
Although Ray Kroc’s character is often looked down upon due to his diabolical moves to achieve his ultimate goal, what is worth a takeaway is his compulsive determination to be a go-getter.
Of course, I wouldn’t recommend you to be as manipulative, but you can definitely learn how to understand sales growth strategies to get where you want to be.
Famous quote: “Nothing in this world can take the place of good old persistence. Talent won’t…”
Where to watch: Netflix
2. The Big Short
Did you know, ‘The Big Short’ refers to the trading practice of selling short? You’ll get to know it better if you watch this. An adaptation of Michael Lewis’s best-selling book, this Oscar-winning film should definitely be on your watchlist if you want to understand how to cope with financial crises better.
Although it demands your razor-sharp focus while you watch it due to multiple sub-plots, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the ins and outs of trading and investment practices.
Famous quote: “Let me put it this way. I’m standing in front of a burning house, and I’m offering you fire insurance on it.”
Where to watch: Netflix
3. The Wolf of Wall Street
If you’re a die-hard salesperson, you might have already watched this film by now. If you haven’t then anytime is a good time. Not because it is based on a true white-collar crime story but because of the hard selling scenes which are bound to make you go an extra mile in your domain.
Convicted for various felonies, Jordan Belfort bared it all in his tell-a-tale book by the same name, and irrespective of all the grey areas in his character, you won’t regret watching it from the sales point of view. Why am I saying this? Watch it to find it out.
Famous quote: “You can watch me, mock me, try to block me but you cannot stop me.”
Where to watch: Netflix
4. Guru
This list would be incomplete without the mention of ‘Guru’. Loosely based on one of the biggest industrialists of all time Dhirubhai Ambani, this biopic has a lot of takeaways for salespeople.
Firstly, age is just a number if you really have the drive to make it big. Secondly, self-confidence and motivating your team are the key factors to build something on your own. Since sales is the lifeblood of any business, this stint is a must-watch.
Famous quote: “Jab log tumhare khilaaf bolne lage, samajh lo tarakki kar rahe ho…”
(When people start speaking against you, know that you are progressing..)
Where to Watch: Netflix
5. Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year
Another great story about a guy who has always been an underachiever in academics and aspired to be a salesman after completing graduation.
His journey as a salesman started off as a trainee in a company that sells computers but his initial slip-ups made him the butt of ridicule to his colleagues and manager.
He soon realises his sales strategy doesn’t comply with traditional practices and he soon started his own sales and service agency in tandem with his existing job. Watch it to uncover his secret sauce to being a successful salesman.
Famous quote: “Risk to Spiderman ko bhi lena pasta hai…Main to phir bhi Salesman hu..” (Even Spiderman takes risk. I’m still a salesman)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
6. Band Baaja Baaraat
It’s a story about two college-goers grasping at straws to do something on their own to avoid parental pressures. Shruti (portrayed by Anushka Sharma) is an ambitious 20 something who envisions being the ‘top wedding planner of the world’.
In the quest to avoid an arranged marriage, she maps out her business plan with her ‘partner’ Bittoo who took the responsibility to execute her wedding planning ideas in low to high-profile families. Along with the sales and entrepreneurial takeaways, you also must watch it for the entertainment it guarantees.
Famous quote: Business ka first rule – Jiske saath vyaapaar usske saath kabhi na pyaar (Never fall in love with your business partner)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
7. Boiler Room
For the uninitiated, a boiler room is a call center-like setup where salespeople call a list of potential customers.
From building relationships with your leads to taking notes on each call, this salesroom drama should not be missed if you’re coping with the everyday pressure in a sales team. The famous thumb rule of ABC or ‘Always Be Closing’ is a mantra still followed by a lot of sales teams.
Famous quote: “There is no such thing as no sale call…Either you sell the client some stock or he sells you a reason he can’t. Either way, a sale is made…”
Where to Watch: Apple TV
Bonus
This piece will be incomplete without the mention of these movies:
- Door to Door
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- The Internship
- Death of a Salesman
Have we missed anything? Please let us know in the comments below.
