The Greatest Salesman in the World Book Summary - The Greatest Salesman in the World Book explained in key points
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The Greatest Salesman in the World summary

Og Mandino

Unconventional secrets to becoming the best salesperson you can be

3.8 (265 ratings)
11 mins

Brief summary

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino is a motivational book that teaches the importance of persistence and self-confidence in achieving success. It follows the story of a salesman who learns the ten ancient scrolls of wisdom to become the greatest salesman in the world.

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    The Greatest Salesman in the World
    Summary of 5 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 5

    To learn and thus succeed, you have to form good habits that will become your positive foundation.

    How can you make sure that everything you do is the best you can do?

    Whether being in the best physical shape, being the most efficient worker or selling the most products, the secret to doing things effectively is in fostering excellent habits.

    The majority of our daily lives are packed with bad habits, things we do almost without thinking yet that keep us unproductive and essentially unhappy.

    For example, you may lie in bed for too long in the mornings. This might make you late, as you hit the alarm clock for the fourth time and then, end up racing to get to work on time. Yet even though you know it makes you stressed and unhappy, you laze around every morning!

    To stamp out bad habits, you need to replace them with good ones.

    Good habits are created by repeating them daily, until they become part of your life.

    For example, if you want to get out of bed earlier in the morning, you should set an alarm and get up straight away, eat a healthy breakfast and maybe do a little exercise.

    Although it might be tough at first, eventually you’ll automatically start your day in this healthier way. What’s more, not only will you have formed a healthy habit, but also you’ll have beaten that bad habit forever.

    This also sets the foundation for being an effective salesperson. In the next blinks, we’ll look more closely at changes you can make to improve your life and in turn, your sales abilities.

    To get the most out of this program, turn the ideas in these blinks into good habits by reading them every day. You’ll find yourself automatically thinking about them, and adopting them into your life.

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    Key ideas in The Greatest Salesman in the World

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    What is The Greatest Salesman in the World about?

    In The Greatest Salesman in the World, you’ll learn the unconventional secrets to becoming the best salesperson you can be. It turns out that the path to reaching sales targets doesn’t actually involve studying salesbooks or copying the methods of others. Rather, it’s about developing healthy habits and becoming a better person overall.

    The Greatest Salesman in the World Review

    The Greatest Salesman in the World (1968) is a transformative book that offers valuable lessons on success and personal growth. Here's why this book is worth a read:

    • With its inspiring story of a struggling salesman named Hafid, it provides relatable insights into overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.
    • The book presents a set of ten success scrolls that offer practical advice and guidance for anyone wanting to excel in sales or any other endeavor.
    • Through its deep exploration of human emotions and desires, the book captures the reader's attention, making it not only informative but also captivating.

    Best quote from The Greatest Salesman in the World

    My actions are ruled by appetite, passion, prejudice, greed, love, fear, environment and habit; and the worst of these tyrants is habit.

    —Og Mandino
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    Who should read The Greatest Salesman in the World?

    • Salespeople who want to further develop their professional life
    • Anyone who wants to live a more fulfilled and productive life
    • Anyone fed up with traditional books on marketing and selling

    About the Author

    Augustine "Og" Mandino II was a bestselling American author and the president of Success Unlimited magazine who passed away in 1996. He is an inductee of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. This book, The Greatest Salesman in the World, has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

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    The Greatest Salesman in the World FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Greatest Salesman in the World?

    The main message of The Greatest Salesman in the World is about unlocking the secrets to success and finding fulfillment in life and work.

    How long does it take to read The Greatest Salesman in the World?

    The reading time for The Greatest Salesman in the World varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Greatest Salesman in the World a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Greatest Salesman in the World is worth reading as it offers valuable insights into the principles of success and personal growth. It is a book that can inspire and motivate readers to achieve their goals.

    Who is the author of The Greatest Salesman in the World?

    The author of The Greatest Salesman in the World is Og Mandino.

    What to read after The Greatest Salesman in the World?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Greatest Salesman in the World, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy
    • Sales EQ by Jeb Blount
    • The Sell by Fredrik Eklund
    • New Sales. Simplified. by Mike Weinberg
    • The Science of Selling by David Hoffeld
    • Flipnosis by Kevin Dutton
    • 80/20 Sales and Marketing by Perry Marshall
    • The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
    • The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson
    • The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason