Salespeople’s Favorite Sales Movie Is Not What You Think It Is

With the Academy Awards this Sunday, we thought we’d use this opportunity to take a look at salespeople’s favorite sales movies. It's common knowledge that almost every salesperson can spit out a quote from “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

• “Put that coffee down. Coffee’s for closers only.”
• “ABC ... Always be closing.”
• “The leads are weak? You’re weak.”  

But even with those indelible quotes from Alec Baldwin’s character, the David Mamet classic was not salespeople’s favorite movie about sales, according to LinkedIn’s upcoming "State of Sales" report covering the United States. In fact, “Glengarry Glen Ross” didn’t even make the top five.

Here’s how the respondents to the State of Sales survey from the sales side answered:

Sales Professionals' Favorite Sales Movies

1. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (30%) Quote: “People don’t buy stock. It gets sold to them. Don’t ever forget that.”
2. “Jerry Maguire” (17%) Quote: “Show me the money.”
3. “The Pursuit of Happyness” (14%) Quote: “Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something.”
4. “Tommy Boy” (12%) Quote: “Brothers don’t shake hands. Brothers gotta hug.”
   
5. “Moneyball” (6%) Quote: “Do you believe in this thing or not?”
6. “Boiler Room” (6%) Quote: “Honor’s in the dollar, kid.”
7. “Glengarry Glenn Ross” (6%) Quote: “You see this watch? That watch costs more than your car.”
8. “The Big Kahuna” (3%) Quote: “Sometimes you gotta chew your own leg off to get out of life’s traps.”

In LinkedIn’s upcoming "State of Sales" report, we also surveyed buyers. Here’s how the decision makers we surveyed responded:

Decision Makers' Favorite Sales Movies

1. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (25%)
2. “Jerry Maguire” (17%)
3. “Tommy Boy” (13%)
4. “The Pursuit of Happyness” (12%)
5. “Moneyball” (9%)
6. “Glengarry Glen Ross (6%)
7. “Boiler Room” (4%)
8. “The Big Kahuna” (3%)

Note the general agreement between the buyers and the sellers and their favorite sales movies. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is number one on both lists. “The Pursuit of Happyness” ranks a little higher for sellers; “Tommy Boy” is a little higher for buyers.

So bottom line: If you’re looking for a little common ground with your prospects, consider steering the conversation to their favorite sales movies. Buyers and sellers definitely have the same tastes when it comes to movies. 

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Photo: Kenneth Lu