The Greatest Movie About Sales - The Pursuit of Happyness

Movies such as "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" are revered by many sales professionals. You might be familiar with the soundbites, "Always Be Closing" and "coffee is for closers". You may even be confused by the echoes of tribal-like chest beating coming from within the boardroom every time there is a sales team meeting.

If you are in sales, or you find it hard to understand the special bread that we are, this is for you.

My name is Shane Sher, I'm proud of my career in sales and this is my take on why "Pursuit of Happyness" is the greatest sales movie, ever.

The 2006 film "The Pursuit of Happyness" tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling single father who becomes a successful stockbroker. While the movie is primarily known for its heartwarming portrayal of Gardner's uphill battle to provide for his son, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the motivation and determination required to succeed in the world of sales.

Gardner's journey begins as a struggling salesman, selling bone density scanners door-to-door. Despite facing constant rejection, he never gives up on his goal of becoming a stockbroker. He continues to push through the difficult times, using his son as a source of motivation and inspiration.

Throughout the movie, Gardner embodies the traits that are essential for success in sales: persistence, resilience, and a positive attitude. Even when things seem hopeless, he refuses to let his circumstances defeat him. He never gives up on his dream, and instead, he uses every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Gardner also demonstrates the importance of building relationships. As he begins to learn the ins and outs of the stock market, he forms connections with key players in the industry, including his eventual employer, Jay Twistle. He realizes that networking and building relationships is crucial to success in the competitive world of sales.

It's important to note that other movies such as "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" often portray a cut-throat and unethical approach to sales, which is not an accurate representation of the industry. These films often depict, sometimes even celebrates salespeople as ruthless and manipulative, but the reality is that successful sales professionals prioritize building trust and cultivating opportunities that are mutually beneficial.

If you are in sales for long enough, you will be faced with decisions that can benefit yourself at the expense of someone else. The wrong decision is often camouflaged as a white lie, creative selling or playing ignorant, but when you decide to choose the short-term reward, you embark on the fastest route to a failed career in sales. Gardner doesn't deviate, stays true to himself and at the end of a much longer journey, he is able to take solace in the way in which he faced adversity and tough decisions.

The Pursuit of Happyness is not just a movie about a man's struggle to provide for his family, it is also a story of a man's relentless pursuit of his dreams. It serves as an inspiration to anyone who is facing obstacles in their professional or personal life. Therefore, I am positive that it is the greatest movie about sales.

So the next time you speak with a sales person, ask yourself: "Like me, are they also in pursuit of happiness?"