GoldDigger

Sales Rep

How do y'all read these boring sales books?

I am getting tapped for an upcoming leadership position (no sure if ill take it, thats a different post) so in preparation I have reached out to some sales leaders and been given a list of books as a foundation. Some of them Ive read, like Chris Voss, Gap Selling, Challenger Sale and enjoyed. But many on this list are ones I have either tried to read and was so bored and i couple I have the audible and even at 2x just couldnt do it.

I am already so tired at the end of the day. I'm a single parent, and between being a 100% at work and a 100% for my kids, there is little left at the end of the day.

How can I get all the info from these books without actually reading them or listenign to them?

📚 Resource

🏋️‍♀️ Leadership

26 comments

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Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

ChatGPT can give you summaries and breakdowns of these books. Basically use it as a build your own CliffsNotes.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Hadn’t thought about using ChatGPT for this. Good idea!

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

Results of course based on prompts you use, but this is quick example:

GoldDigger

Fire Starter

Sales Rep

Thank you!

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

I will need to try this myself. I have so many other books to read that often the sales books get left on the back burner for me.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

I’d recommend and encourage moving away from sales books if you’re being tapped for a leadership position. There’s only so many that provide applicable advice.

Burnout is real and tough. Time management is most important (outside of being Superman to your kiddo).

Possible to wake up 15-20 min sooner and crank out a few pages?

I love audible books but I retain absolutely nothing that way. I have to take notes and recap. Hopefully this helps!

GoldDigger

Fire Starter

Sales Rep

Hi, thank you so much. This really helps. I do get up at 6am to workout, but I could try to find 20 mins at night.

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

I have found podcasts to be the best for myself. I can glean more for a longer-form conversation. I like Josh Braun's material as it is psychology focus, and Becc Holland is also a stud.
I tried 30 minutes to president's club; it has great insights but it feels like the entire time I am being pitched something as the listener.

I did enjoy Never Split the Difference but goddamn it you are right; most are so utterly dull and repetitive.
Good luck!

GoldDigger

Fire Starter

Sales Rep

Ive never listened to Becc's podcast, but I will check it out. Thanks!

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

She's one of the best! I still her Outbound sequence building webinars are the gold standard.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You need to unplug at some point. Seriously, if you've read the ones you've read and have gleaned good points from them, then I'd call it a wash. You got advice from these leaders, not assignments, correct? That means it's yours to take and do what works for you; you're not being tested or graded on completing everybody's suggestions. Personally, I think you're good, and the suggestion of a podcast here or there, maybe on your commute, is the best one I can think of. Otherwise, don't worry too much about it.
Congratulations on being considered for advancement, and yes, be there for those kiddos, but don't forget to take care of yourself too. If that means not reading these boring books, then don't read them.

GoldDigger

Fire Starter

Sales Rep

Thank you, you are right, these are no assignments, just suggestions. And I definitely need to unplug... I feel like what my boss expects of me is 24/7 sometimes and its hard to say, "No I literally do not have the mental energy at the end of the day"

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I wouldn’t phrase it that way, and I suspect you don’t. Also, if you are being considered for a promotion, then you are clearly doing something right. That said, with regard to actual assignments or requests from your boss, if you’re not asking when he or she expects these to be completed, start asking. And then discuss whether or not that’s possible with your current workload. For example, my manager wanted each rep to work on some competitive intel. I knew I would have issues completing it with my workload at the time, so got an additional week by discussing the other, higher priority, things I needed to complete. Hopefully you have a good and decent manager where you can make sure that expectations are reasonable once discussed.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Most of these books suck.
As others suggested, google "Gap selling summary" and you'll likely cliffs notes versions

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

By taking notes on how to implement and if its a bad section (example being heavy relationship based selling and your role isnt) just skip that chapter.
And if its a bad book, just spark notes it and see if any other parts look good. And if nothing looks good, pick up a new one

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I don't. I skim the notes online.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Do love books, but they need a bit of time and concentration. That's the reason why I would rather listen to a sales podcast instead if I were you, while practicing any other activity or even to have more time to spend with your kids.Got you a fine list right.
https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/top-sales-podcasts

Hope it helps!

IYNFYL

Politicker

Enterprise SaaS AE

Audio books for those that use big words

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

I just read the ones that are interesting to me and some of the others stay on the shelf for reference (but in my zoom background so people know I am "well-read"

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Easy, I don't

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

Check out Todd Caponi.

kittychachas

Valued Contributor

VP/Director of Sales

Most sales books are just saying the same thing in different ways. I’d pick up books on business instead or take some additional courses. And if you’re up for it get an Executive MBA. Your experience from sales and from going into the leadership role will transition well into the EMBA program. You’ll also be much better equipped to handle the politics and responsibilities of a leadership role after the program.

On a side note, my CEO and SVP both have MBAs. My former head of product did as well, so does my national accounts manager. I recently graduated with mine too.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Check out Blinkist for book summaries. It’s actually really good and worth paying a couple bucks for.

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I love reading myself. I'd say that just prepare a few conversation topics as if you have read the book (or read 2-3 chapters) and a few pointers and people will be happy and think you are smart and blabla.

Account Executive

Chris Voss is Great. He is versed in the Camp Method (Start with No by Jim Camp) that came out of Sandler Sales. I just ordered STARTUP SALES FIELD NOTES: by Kent Mullins who teaches at HBS and MIT. Hopefully, it is as valuable as those three books. I have heard him speak and he speaks their language. I have not had the opportunity to ask him if he has been coached by any of these three, but it is a goal of mine.

Account Executive

Forgot to mention, pick one school (

Chris Voss, Gap Selling, Challenger Sale) of thought and immerse yourself. Trying to read competing schools of thought will only confuse you and steal your time. In academia, there are always two schools of competing thought and your goal is to pick the one that fits your makeup (mental, emotional) and then study the heck out of it. Become a subject matter expert in that school of thought.

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GoldDigger

How do y'all read these boring sales books?

26 comments

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