Movie Lessons: Sell like Tommy Boy

I am starting a series called Movie Lessons. Each month I will pull a key to success out of a film I’ve seen. I think if we open our minds to always be in a learning and growing mode, we can “get” something from almost every experience. I encourage you to share in the comments any lessons you’ve learned from the movie.

Over the holidays I watched Tommy Boy for the first time in a long time. During my school years it was a staple, along with Fletch, Caddyshack, Dumb and Dumber, and all 1980′s John Cusack movies. Uhh, you can see my collegiate maturity level coming through. It goes without saying I am easily entertained.

The lesson from Tommy Boy is simple. Successful selling comes from being authentic and passionate. Don’t worry about being too smooth or smart. Know your product and audience but be real. Be human. Have fun. When Tommy makes this click after the restaurant scene, the sales start to fly. People don’t like to be sold, but they sure love to buy.

http://davidhorne.me David Horne

Great story Bill. Thanks for stopping by!
http://davidhorne.me David Horne

Great story Bill. Thanks for stopping by!
Bill Pasnau

Honest hang loose sales has helped my success at work a lot! Selling cell phones as an “authorized agent” puts me in competition with the “direct reps” of the very company I’m trying to boost sales for.

Often times the direct reps can offer better more aggressive deals that I can, so when I go head to head with one of them I normally lose the sale.

A couple of weeks ago I broke that losing streak. As usual the deal I had offered a potential customer was not as good as a deal offered by another rep, so I stopped worrying about closing the deal. I became hang loose, assured the customer that I would help her with anything she needed and answer any questions she had – and I left it at that. She called me back and said she wanted to buy from me. I was confused, and asked if she realized that I wasn’t able to give her the same deal, and she said “Yes we are aware. But the other rep didn’t seem like he cared about helping us out after the sale. You did.”

It was awesome to see that the value I brought to the table was more important than the bottom line savings!

Tommy Boy will change lives!!!
Bill Pasnau

Honest hang loose sales has helped my success at work a lot! Selling cell phones as an “authorized agent” puts me in competition with the “direct reps” of the very company I’m trying to boost sales for.

Often times the direct reps can offer better more aggressive deals that I can, so when I go head to head with one of them I normally lose the sale.

A couple of weeks ago I broke that losing streak. As usual the deal I had offered a potential customer was not as good as a deal offered by another rep, so I stopped worrying about closing the deal. I became hang loose, assured the customer that I would help her with anything she needed and answer any questions she had – and I left it at that. She called me back and said she wanted to buy from me. I was confused, and asked if she realized that I wasn’t able to give her the same deal, and she said “Yes we are aware. But the other rep didn’t seem like he cared about helping us out after the sale. You did.”

It was awesome to see that the value I brought to the table was more important than the bottom line savings!

Tommy Boy will change lives!!!
http://davidhorne.me David Horne

Thanks Jeff. Any movie suggestions that you have let me know.
http://davidhorne.me David Horne

Thanks Jeff. Any movie suggestions that you have let me know.
http://davidhorne.me David Horne

absolutely. seeking to meet peoples’ needs has to be at the heart of the matter.
http://davidhorne.me David Horne

absolutely. seeking to meet peoples’ needs has to be at the heart of the matter.
http://www.jeffdolan.com Jeff Dolan

Awesome. Looking forward to your series.
http://www.jeffdolan.com Jeff Dolan

Awesome. Looking forward to your series.
http://www.ubermarketing.wordpress.com Akash Sharma

True! True! True! David, People always say that you have to be smart enough to sail through in this cut-throat world,but I think the key here is to be what you are and learning that if you really want to offer what you offer to other people.
If your answer is yes, prove it by giving them fantastic value and that is possible if and only you do stuff by heart.
Thanks for sharing another cool insight, loved the video…..
http://www.ubermarketing.wordpress.com Akash Sharma

True! True! True! David, People always say that you have to be smart enough to sail through in this cut-throat world,but I think the key here is to be what you are and learning that if you really want to offer what you offer to other people.
If your answer is yes, prove it by giving them fantastic value and that is possible if and only you do stuff by heart.
Thanks for sharing another cool insight, loved the video…..