Birth of a Salesman

"Sell me this ashtray!" It was an unexpected interview question. I'd never sold anything in my life but my naive answer would change me forever. It took me into the world of speciality selling where salesmen find and close their own deals. A world of weighing machines, pretend greyhounds, films of men in trilby hats and Oxford bags, of commission, clubs and crooked customers. Join me on this light hearted journey of discovery, learning the secrets of selling, the art of negotiating, of closing the deal. ¿ "Button the sale with benefits," they told me and I did as I charged blindly ahead into the land of opportunity that lay before me. ¿ "Look at the arse on that!" cried the women in the carrot packing factory. I ran, barely escaping with my dignity, my briefcase or my trousers. Others were less fortunate. ¿ Brighton, an alcohol fuelled black tie dinner with Tommy Cooper and mayhem, as I celebrate success and discover how painful midnight leg wrestling is. ¿ Learn why I was held at gunpoint on the Artillery Range, at Shoeburyness and how we stopped the phantom letterbox urine fiend of Chelmsford. ¿ This is a land of naughty film nights, sheets in windows, crowds and policemen, of Yorkshire grit, fisticuffs and angry bakers. ¿ "My God. You're an 'ard man," said the butcher averting his gaze. He didn't know he'd been staring at a glass eye. If you've ever wondered what selling is about, would like to know some of the secrets of selling and enjoy a tale this book is for you. I promise every word is true. Grab a copy and explore my strange world of sales. What are you waiting for? "Aspiring salesmen and seasoned professionals, who want to sharpen their skills, would do well to employ the advice in this book," Alan Matthews, Sales and Marketing Consultant - Barnstormer Group. "A window into a fascinating forgotten world," Bob Harvey B.A. - Sales Director, Leaven Industrial. "The soft underbelly of selling in all its glorious, hilarious truth," Alex Dunbar FIM. - T.S.C. at Greene Resources. "A worthwhile read for any budding entrepreneur," Phil Morris - Managing Director Morris Mason Associates. " A thoroughly enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down," Lee B - Amazon reviewer. "A good book and well worth the read, Graham's clearly been there and buttoned the sales with benefits," Mark Wheatley MBA. Dip. - Managing Director, Wheatley Group.