'Inspiring' Sales Films 🎬

I’ve been getting up on the wrong side of the bed these past couple of days. Not a metaphor, in anticipation of the arrival of Baby B we’ve had to re-gig some stuff at Chateau Burnett. Babies apparently aren’t supposed to sleep next to windows so to accommodate the wee cot the better half and I have swapped sides. This doesn’t change too much in terms of my morning routine, bar a few seconds of disorientation first thing. One thing that hasn't changed is my ritualistic habit of listening to my Work Playlist on my commute into the city. A little disappointed. I’ve had a link to it on my website for the past 6 months and not a soul has commented. It’s that little boost of motivation I require, ascending the posh escalators in the PWC concurring that I too must get rich or die trying. With the market still craving hunters as opposed to gatherers I thought I would provide some nuggets of motivation in the form of my second preferred art medium; film. As a lot of these flicks are over 30 seconds long with no dancing or the option to put pixelated sunglasses on the cast, it may alienate the TikTok generation but YOU are the target audience for this! A lot of these films are jumping off points for a lot of seasoned recruiters. As a precursor, you shouldn’t want to emulate these characters entirely but, their desire to get a deal over the line should strike a chord.

Jerry Maguire (1996) – https://youtu.be/KUd3gwaf0KQ?si=F0YyucwmeRVK3ylh

Arguably the daddy, with relatable commandments like “Show me the money!” “Help me, help you” and “Who’s coming with me!?” TC plays a high-flying sports agent who finds himself getting sh*t canned, in a scramble he must get his clients on side. For the younger Gen, think Michael Scott Paper Company. His sole client is the flamboyant Cuba Gooding Jr. who rides him, hard. This is on-brand for us recruiters mainly because it’s a sales film that deals with people and not stocks or houses etc. Cameron Crowe of Almost Famous, We Bought a Zoo and Aloha fame smashes it here, solid soundtrack and a super cute kid that only the mid-nineties could produce. A sales film with a heart, not a common theme in this thread.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) - https://youtu.be/iszwuX1AK6A?si=nFspfZLmJInOClMb

No surprises here. It’s the reference point for when you forgo all sense of morals and integrity in the pursuit of the ol Yankee dollar. I’m not going to describe it as you all know what happens. The guy makes heaps of money, goes to prison because of it, and ends up giving a chat at the Auckland Event Centre. We all must’ve done the Leo meme from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at that bit! Fast cars, beautiful women, massive yachts. It’s definitely aspirational but not how you want to conduct yourself. Draw what you can from it but the lesson in this sales film is what not to do. Fun Fact, such was Jonah Hill’s desire to work with Marty he negotiated a salary of only $60,000, no small potatoes but considering Leo got $10m it's pretty commendable.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) – https://youtu.be/a_3oYY-aPV4?si=RD_1IlNw-Mioi1_A

From a time when a film starring an all-male Caucasian cast would get greenlit. I’ll tread lightly as Kevin Spacey lights up the screen in this and I’m trying to align myself with whoever will cancel me slower. So many great scenes. ABC (Always Be Closing) was popularized by this film/play delivered by the enigmatic and motivational sales trainer played by Alec Baldwin. “Coffee is for closers” is another personal favourite of mine as is “That watch costs more than your car”. For anyone who is in need of a big month after some average performances, I’d suggest giving this a watch. It’s not one for the comradery of sales folk as they are pretty much all against each other. AB must’ve loved playing this role! This kind of sales training might not work in our market, but it is the best example of a kick up the arse I’ve seen.

Boiler Room (2000) – https://youtu.be/kgCLG4gCAvI?si=kKnA_TXpAaeEVGKj

Starring Phoebe’s brother, ol mate from Fast & Furious XXIV, and J-Lo’s fella it’s not as critically acclaimed as the aforementioned hits but still should be recognized. If you’ve heard the term Boiler Room before, this is why. The definition is actually “a room or office in which many operators engage in high-pressure telephone sales, especially of risky, or worthless investments.” Again, with all these fraudsters their misdeeds catch up with them. It does take a lot from other films of the same genre and considering Jordan Belfort was close to making a mil a week, it’s almost scoff-worthy to aim for $1m in your first 3 years. It’s probably a good one to watch if you’re new to the game and as all these films do, serves as a reminder to act ethically.

Some honourable mentions, the first half of Blow and that scene in I Love You Man, where Paul Rudd slaps the colleague who’s pushing for a split. We have a no dickheads policy over in NZ and people with egos don’t last long. I don’t even hear of a lot of sociopathic top billers anymore. There would be at least one per agency back in the day. You can’t be a cowboy in this market, you get found out, and quick. The thematic lesson taught from most sales-type films is if you colour outside of the lines, legally or morally, you’ll get found out. But the drive, the hustle, the desire to earn F-you money is something that should be taken on board. Just do it in a way that is sustainable and allows you to sleep at night.