Customer Reviews

Sales Dogs : You Do Not Have to Be an Attack Dog to Be Successful in Sales (Rich Dad's Advisors series)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As a sales manager I am always looking for books that will not only help me but more importantly help my employees. Sales Dogs is perfect for this. I purchased it at an airport bookstore and was nearly finished with it by the time I landed at my destination. It kept me engrossed and was very easy to read. The comparison of various breeds of dogs to different sales styles was quite creative and helped keep the material lite and enjoyable while at the same time educational. This book is perfect for the young sales rep with under 5 years experiance. It will help them identify what sales style fits them best rather than trying to be something they are not. Sales Dogs also will help them understand the importance of stretching beyond their own sales style and adopting some of the positive traits of the other "breeds" of sales reps, even if it takes them outside of their comfort zone. I manage a group of 12 inside sales reps selling office equipment for a forutne 500 company. All of my reps have less than 5 years experience in sales so I will be purchasing 12 more copies of Sales Dogs. For the more experienced sales professional, this book is still very enjoyable and offers some helpful insights, however, if you've been in the sales game for a long time (and your still at it) you've probably already figured out, the hard way, what style works best for you. I only wish I had had this book when I started out, it might have saved me considerable time and frustration.

$ales Dogs has two potential applications: (1) As an introduction to the ways that people sell and (2) as a humor book for those who have been involved in selling as a career.

Since this book came in as an adjunct to the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, it also has to be evaluated in terms of how well it fits. That is where the book falls down. Although Mr. Kiyosaki is correct in describing that his rich Dad said to him, "If you want to enter the world of business, you must first learn how to sell," this book doesn't pick up enough on that perspective. It is a cross between a book for someone already in sales, and someone new to sales management. Although there is a little material in here about how people new to sales can learn, that isn't really the focus.

The strength of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series is that each book is extremely simple and focused. $ales Dogs tries to be too much like a standard book on sales.

The book's basic point is that sales people start out tending to emphasize one of five selling styles: "sheer power and fearlessness" -- the pit bull; "customer service is everything" -- the golden retriever; "incredibly well connected . . . Ultimate Marketing Dog" -- the poodle; "technical wizards" -- the chihuahua; and the "trustworthy . . . strength of personality and personal rapport" of the basset hound.

Readers are then encouraged to learn lessons from the best traits of the other styles. If you put them all together, you can be a "SuperMutt." Within all of these styles are people who prefer to shoot for the big sale, and they are Big Dogs -- meaning they want a big deal or no deal.

The book does a nice job of explaining some of the mindsets and key skills that help in sales and sales management. However, each is explained so briefly that the information will only be helpful to those who have not been exposed to these ideas before. Mastering the art of delivering powerful presentations is something that you can never learn enough about, and this is often the topic of entire books and courses. So I graded the book as a three because it was too much of a compromise between too many different types of books. As a result, it gives too little to any particularly type of reader.

I should mention that the illustrations are terrifically funny for those who want to use this as a humor book who have been involved in sales for some time. I can see these being taped all over the sales offices across America.

After you finish reading this book, think about what one thing would make you more effective in making sales. If you're not sure, go ask the last people who did and did not buy from you what they would suggest.

Build on your instinct to help . . . to get the stamina you need to persevere in your sales challenges!

NO business succeeds without salesmanship, even if it's only in writing or on a video, website, or audio cassette. Many business owners and entrepreneurs try HARD to avoid that reality, simply because they have an incorrect perception of the sales process and the people who do it. Even doctors "sell", so just learn to accept and even like it. It's no where near as bad as most people make it out to be, and it's one of the most profitable occupations in the world to be involved in.

In all honesty, I actually avoided buying this book for quite some time!

When I first saw it in the bookshops, and had a quick flick through its contents, my initial impressions were that it was hokey or childish to compare Sales People to dogs. Even though it came recommended by Robert "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Kiyosaki (as part of his new Rich Dad's Advisors series) I decided not to buy it... I did not think it could teach me anything of value.

Many months later, I had occasion to visit the Sales Dogs website and review some of the information listed there, and was most intrigued with what I read. I learned about what kind of sales person I am (for those of you who have read this book or done the test, I'm primarily an even split Retriever/Chihuahua - for those of you who wonder what I'm babbling about, visit the website and do the FREE Sales Dogs profile test - lots of fun!)

Here's the silly part: I must have been daydreaming, because for some reason, I suddenly got the idea from the website that the book Sales Dogs was actually a follow-up to the first book I'd seen in the stores, and what I read about it on the website intrigued me enough to actually go out and buy it the next day.

Remember, I did this thinking it was NOT the first book!

When I got home and actually read it, I realised my silly mistake, but by that stage it was too late to do anything about it. Thankfully, I LOVED the book.

Blair Singer really captures the essence of the 5 major types of Sales People out in the marketplace. He just chose to represent them by using the dog metaphor - it adds a little fun to the whole proceedings. I could see myself in the various descriptions within this book as well as some of my friends who are also involved in sales in some form or the other.

Contrary to what the VAST majority of people believe, most sales people are NOT pit bull terrier attack dogs who love to latch onto a prospective customer, and then won't let go until they've bled them dry! Thank goodness for that, otherwise I would never have succeeded as a sales person, nor would many others out there in the business world either.

I guess that's one of the things that really appealed to me about this book - that a GOOD sales person can be low key, non-pressuring, service-oriented and open to their customers needs, all while achieving sales and business success. This is GREAT news for people who view ALL sales people in the same category as the used car sales person or door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman.

In my opinion, there is NO PLACE for the SHARK sales dog (heck, they're not even a dog!) in our modern age, and the sooner we run them out of town, the better!

This book will help sales people understand their strengths, weaknesses and how to improve in all areas. In addition, sales managers and business owners will gain a valuable insight into what makes their sales people tick. After all, if you can better understand each one of them, you can better support them in the way they need to become a superstar performer (which IS the goal, I assume?).

The beauty of Sales Dogs is that it covers 5 different types of sales people, who are very different in their priorities and goals from the other - most of us are a mixture of multiple dog types. The book explains how they think, what they want, and what gets in their way of being successful.

Now that I've read the book, I'm sold on Blair Singer's excellent metaphor of Sales Dogs. It's a winner in my opinion, and this book also comes highly recommended by TheProfitCoach.

I was first captivated by the title of this book and then was drawn in
more deeply by the no-nonsense approach I read throughout.

I actually laughed outloud about some of the Myths about
Selling which are argued (humorously -- I might add) with
facts.

Ahhh, I have heard this one COUNTLESS times before:

"What does selling have to do with building businesses,
managing people, raising money and investing?"

Rich Dad's answer -- "EVERYTHING!"

I also appreciate the section on who your most important sales
contract is with... YOURSELF... as you are your own harshest
critic, your own most difficult client and your own
personal objection and rejection machine -- all wrapped up
in ONE body!

The Five Sales Dog types are outlined more fully in the book
but even in their titles you may begin to recognize yourself
AND your staff (if you are a manager.)

Pit Bull - stereotypical, aggressive sales person

Golden Retriever - bundles of love customer service is everything
BEGS for the PRIVILEGE of selling to YOU, my fav customer!

Poodle -- Intellectual and high strung with the focus on looking good....

Chihuahua -- Don't be fooled by their small stature, they have TEETH!

Basset hound -- they look like they will roll over and take anything, what
they are really doing is building long term, loyal relationships.

and then... there are the BIG DOGS.....

The Sales People who want the biggest stage, the brightest lights,
the packed crowds and the FAST TRACK DEALS. They will put them
together, get the signature and for goodness sakes, get someone
else to follow up.....

The book goes on to teach the reader how to leverage their own
Sales Dog style to make the most of the bottom line.

With this book you can learn a LOT and enjoy the lessons as
you go. Its all delivered in the Rich Dad style PLUS yes, there
is even a free audio download available.....

A sure winner -- "The Dog's Have it!"

I probably read 100 or more books each year, including a significant number of business and sales books. I enjoyed some of Robert Kiyosaki's other advisor books, but this one really [is bad].

It is full of vague analogies to whatever kind of "dog" you are -the point that you do not have to be aggressive to be in sales is also foolish and false. You can certainly bring your own personality to sales or any other profession, and you SHOULD, but all this psychobabble about "being your own dog" or whatever is just that - silly psychobabbly designed to seperate you from your money and put it in an author's pocket who really has nothing useful to say.

If you really want to learn something about selling that you can actually USE, read Zig Ziglar's "Sales 101" or Donald Moine's "Ultimate Selling Power".

This is a wonderful new book written as part of the new Rich Dad's Advisors series. Robert Kiyosaki has asked some of his closest friends to write books on their areas of expertise. Blair Singer stepped forward to contribute his take on salsemenship.

'Sales Dogs' is pretty straightfoward. It's a series of comparisons between different types of sales people and different breeds of dogs.

Have you ever seen the movie 'Glengary Glen Ross'?? I kept thinking of those characters as I read this book. There's the fierce Pit Bull (Alec Baldwin) who moves in quickly for the kill. There's the old fashioned, loveable Bassett Hound (Jack Lemmon)... who gently walks up to you and nudges your leg and then there's the ultra smooth talking, highly polished french poodle (Al Pachino).

I loved this book. It makes some really great comparisions between man's best friend.. and man's (occasional) worst enemy. If you are in the pursuit of financial literacy, I highly recommend this one, with any or all of the other 'rich dad' books.

Sales Dogs is an inspiring read. The title is intriguing to start with, giving a hint that it is not going to be a run-of-the-mill sales motivational book. Coming from Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad's Advisor" stable was a recommendation in itself and pointed to it being an alternative view on what makes the sales person - or sales dog - in us all. From the onset Blair Singer's drawing of parallels between sales people and various breeds dogs is both poignant and droll, with some observations simply laugh-out-loud funny. What's true in the book is the fact that there is a sales dog - or cross-breed in all of us, whether we are sales people or not. "Selling" is part of being human and embracing that - and the possibilities in life that this creates - is really brought to life in Blair's book. Oh, and there's some great cartoons too.

I am in marketing and while there is always a healthy "love-hate" relationship between sales and marketing, better understanding of what makes a salesperson - what breed they are - and how to work with them makes working together more productive and joyful. I have found that I am much more understanding of sales people since reading the book and take delight in trying to identify their "breed". Moreover, the book has inspired me to "be in touch with my inner dog" and be true to my salesman tendencies. I can recommend this book to anyone looking for an amusing, slightly off-beat look at the human interaction side of the art of selling, whether you are in sales as a profession or not.

Go find out what breed you - or the people around you are. You may be in for a surprise!...

I'm truly shocked. I rarely see a book as a waste of money but in this circumstance I should have played the lottery. Blair Singer, "Sales Communications Specialist," makes a pitiful attempt to present common sense in such a way to reap the rewards from ... like me. The dog analogies are never-ending and overly relied upon. You cannot read a page that does not mention whining, whimpering, or slobbering. There is very little organization--a topic will jump from "dog to dog," wildly trying to tie together bits of traits and characteristics that could be explained in one well-thought and organized sentence. This is not written by a professional, successful salesperson for professional, successful salespeople. This is a Dummies book stuffed in a big chew-toy.

We all know about our own individual characteristics. We know there are times to get to the point and ask for the sale and other times require certain rapport. We all know that we may be lacking certain traits and that by adapting and learning those traits we will be more successful. This book may be great for those people frightened of entering or being new to sales. Perhaps all the talk about canines will give you a nice, warm and fuzzy feeling so you may overcome your fears. In an ever-advancing world of sales, I want an edge. I already know I can succeed without being an agressive corporate shark. I wanted to read more psychology, more techniques, more insight--even refreshing widely known ideas (which the book does to some small extent.) I'm disappointed that I instead wasted my time reading a book that tells me that I can succeed by adapting myself--by barking loudly and courting a leg now and again.

Kiosaki has a talent for story telling many of his advisors don't. This book from the advisor series is a big exception. But there's another reason I really liked it. I don't enjoy the idea of aggressive cold calls to someone who doesn't want to talk to me. This book shows how you can make this type of attititude an asset. In other words it explains why you don't always need to be aggresive to close the deal.

"Sales Dogs" is a part of the "Rich Dad Advisors" series on sales and selling techniques. I was interested to read this book as Robert Kiyosaki encourages sales a whole lot.

"Sales Dogs" is a good introductory book. It breaks people up into different categories or "breeds" based on each person's strengths. I liked this approach because it's tailored towards each person strengths instead of taking the "1 size fits all" approach. I also really liked that it showed how you can be a successful salesperson without being a "pit bull".

"Sales Dogs" is typical "Rich Dad" material meaning it is written for the beginner. This makes the book easy to read but it isn't full of a lot of substance. Also, the dog analogy is just taken WAY too far! Here's an excerpt.... "Don't steal food off the table or counters or out of the refrigerator. Be honest and operate with integrity in all matters. Full disclosure in all cases." WTF??? Going from stealing food from the counter to integrity is quite a jump! I want to read about sales.... not try and interpret every dog analogy ever made!!!

If you are new to sales, then this book is probably for you. If you have any experience whatsoever, you probably won't find much use for this book. 3 out of 5 stars.