The 10 Films You MUST Watch If You Work In Sales!

By: Daniel Disney

There is nothing more 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 fueled money making sales superstars, these films have it all. If you are working in sales I would recommend watching each one of these as if they were a training video, you never know what you might pick up and they might just give you the boost you need to go get those sales!

10) 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. His place in the world, and finally comes to terms with what's wrong with his career and life. Full of brilliant sales quotes and sales action, it's a must watch for sales people out there.

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) Wall Street

A classic film that has that retro sales feel to it. Gordon Gekko is a corporate star who a young Bud Fox aspires to be. Gordon takes Bud under his wing showing that he must do anything to get to the top (which included illegal trading). My favorite sales quote, "Greed is Good!".

7) 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.

6) The Pursuit Of Happiness

One of my personal favorites, this is the film the really 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 marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. After seeing a stock broker pull up in a fancy car, he pushes himself to unbelievable limits to become one and provide for his family.

5) The Wolf Of Wall Street

A favorite for many sales people, The Wolf Of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life 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.

4) Lord Of War

This isn't a sales movie as such, however, Lord of War has a lot of sales references in it. Nicolas Cage does an 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.

3) 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.

2) 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 hard lessons before they finally learn to make the sales stick.

1) Glengarry Glen Ross

The most famous sales movie of them all, and yet I can guarantee so many sales people out there will never have seen it! Most will know about A.B.C - Always Be Closing, well this is where that came from. It’s real estate, it’s phones, it’s knock-down-drag-out sales. It’s awesome! My favorite quote along with A.B.C, "Coffee is for closers"!

So there you go, the 10 films you really must watch if you work in sales. Whilst not your typical sales training video, and I'm sure there is plenty in those films you shouldn't try at home, they are doing what you do, selling. Watch, enjoy and come to work the next day with the energy you need to go for the sale.

What's your favorite sales movie??