Introduction
It does not take a rocket science degree to establish that the COVID-19 pandemic changed consumer behavior forever. According to McKinsey, more than three-quarters of buyers and sellers now prefer remote interactions over face-to-face ones. Thanks to safety and convenience, digital self-serve has become more like a fundamental right.
In such a scenario, where the sales industry has changed forever, the methods of its teaching and practice have also altered. Likewise, no longer will aspiring sales professionals or leaders in that industry be told to watch some Hollywood classics like Jerry Maguire when its lessons don’t apply to the time we live in. No offense to Tom Cruise or his fans, but besides the convincing power, we want something more to inspire sales professionals today.
Maybe, this Advanced Certificate Program in Sales can help you close a deal
So, here is an updated list of 5 best sales movies that you can draw inspiration from
1. Her: Best tech sales movie to watch when you are facing a creative block
Directed by Spike Jonze, Her is a movie about a man falling in love with a highly-advanced operating system called Samantha. This OS (Samantha) is a great conversationalist, can talk to multiple people simultaneously, and even evolve with experience. A kind of technology that is still hard to achieve, Her can also be called a sales movie because:
It teaches the value of conversation and communication. Many people, especially in the sales field, have good communication skills, but the art of conversation can only be perfected with practice.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street: Best hard-sell sales movie for competitive people
No sales movies list is complete without mentioning The Wolf of Wall Street. This film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, the infamous stockbroker who engaged in corruption and fraud at Wall Street. Of the many sales lessons that the film gives (about which you can read here), let’s discuss the one that stands out.
Recognize / Create the need before making a sale. Of the many misconceptions humans in general have, we think that sales is only about the business of buying and selling for profit. But, one of the things we tend to forget about sales is that it is also about catering to someone’s needs.
Although done unethically, in the film, Belfort sells penny stocks to the wealthiest group of American society by creating a need for them to invest in such securities that promise yields in the long run.
While ‘recognizing need of the consumer’ is old-school advertising and sales stuff; now more than ever is the time for sales professionals to engage with ‘creating need’ in a market that is still recovering from the losses of the global economic meltdown.
3. Glengarry Glen Ross: Like wine, this sales movie only gets better with time
If you are from a sales background, you must have probably heard these overused one-liners like “Coffee’s for closers only.” Well, if you have, let’s give due credit to the film they have been borrowed from- Glengarry Glen Ross.
This sales movie is the Bible for all people in the sales industry and is often referred to as its Citizen Kane. Featuring veteran actors like Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, and Jack Lemmon, among others, this movie teaches:
- How much sales as a profession in general depends on motivation, either from your manager or from the fear of losing your job
- ‘Always be closing’ is still as relevant as it was 20 years ago
- Never force a deal
- Let the customer do the talking even if you are the Jordan Belfort of your firm
4. The Big Short: Unable to close a deal, watch this sales movie for some pep talk
This under-rated classic about the 2008 US housing crisis has some high-end economics explained by the likes of world-famous chef and author: Anthony Bourdain.
In fact, the reason why we mention Bourdain is because it is precisely in that sequence of the film where Ryan Gosling gives the best lesson any sales movie can ever give.
If you think what you’re selling is difficult, try selling a new investment against flourishing finance industry investments. This sales movie shows exactly how to make a sale with hard-sell techniques wrapped up in data and delivered with elegance and confidence.
Did not get our point? Don’t worry, watch this clip.
5. Moneyball: An idea can come from anywhere kind of sales movie to watch
Moneyball is a sports film adapted from a non-fiction book that shows how data helps Oakland’s Athletics Association’s manager create a good team. One of the biggest standouts of the film (besides Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill) is its sales lesson:
Moneyball uses data, more specifically sabermetrics, to analyze and judge players’ performance. This new approach is sold to the players, coaches, and team managers with data figures that support the team’s cause.
While all sales professionals today have begun using data to drive business, not many use it to hard-sell or support innovation ideas that can actually make a difference.
Not having enough sales movie motivation. Watch some on your own and let us know which one you like. Or, apply to Great Learning’s Advanced Certificate Program in Sales and make a successful move in your career.
