The Accidental Salesperson: How to Take Control of Your Sales Career and Earn the Respect and Income You Deserve (Paperback)

by Chris Lytle (Author)
Key Phrases: accidental salespeople, accidental salesperson, meaningful money, Accidental Salespeople, Ten Most Wanted List, Sales Training Video (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"... a brilliant, practical dissertation on the subject of selling, written by someone who has been and is there." -- The Real Estate Professional

It is not only a motivational shot in the arm, but a unique blueprint for selling brilliantly. -- John Fayad, Competitive Edge, Nov/Dec 2000

Written with wit as well as insight, this unorthodox guide is packed with proven strategies and tools. -- John Fayad, Competitive Edge, Nov/Dec 2000

Product Description
Author Chris Lytle had modest career aspirations. He merely wanted to be the next Walter Cronkite. But instead of being offered a job in the newsroom, he was offered a job in the sales department. He took the sales job and became an "accidental salesperson."

Most people don't choose sales as a career. Sales chooses them--and they end up wondering how to make the most of a profession they were never prepared for.

They don't have to wonder anymore. In THE ACCIDENTAL SALESPERSON, Lytle gives readers the road map for excelling in sales. Lively and entertaining, this somewhat unorthodox guide is packed with thought-provoking axioms, humorous and instructive anecdotes, specific strategies, and powerful tools--everything readers need to master essential lessons in sales and professionalism.

Readers will find there are some things THE ACCIDENTAL SALESPERSON lacks--dull theories, manipulative methods, and high-pressure tactics. But with the wealth of money-generating, career-building techniques it does provide, we don't think those items will be missed.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814470831
• ISBN-13: 978-0814470831
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!!!, October 8, 2000

By A Customer

If you are considering going into sales or are new to the profession PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. Chris has drawn from his experiences in sales and life and put together a resource that will help any new sales person develope their new job into a career. I have read the book 4 times since I bought it in July. Most books written about sales are very dry and technical, but this book balances the subject quite nicely. The tips might seem simplistic, but THEY DO WORK!!!!! IF more people in sales used the skills in this book, I think sales would would be more respected as a profession. I learned to view my job a problem solver/analyst and I approach each sale that way. First I work to uncover the real need of the person that I am marketing to and then I work to tailor my products to fit that particular need. MY relationship with clients is better than anyone else that I work with because my clients trust me and feel comfortable picking up the phone to call me and discuss problems. My clients view me as a resource and I love my job. Thanks Chris!!!! Ben

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Really Works!!, January 21, 2004

By	John Cotter "John Doe" (Stony Point, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have found I have been getting much better responses from this book when working on specific prospects, and the "Endless Referrals" book when I am in a networking situation.

Forexample, I met a prospect at a social function, I listened while asking questions about him, it seemed to going great. I tried to follow-up afterwards, however, he was not taking my calls. I then used the lottery ticket method, and the next time I called he took my call. I now have an appointment with him.

Additionally, I have been getting great response from prospects that I send seeds to.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good AND quite different than what you'd expect..., April 15, 2001

By	Lawrence Salberg (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book I read almost by "accident" and it was a great book without being the usual Tony Robbins hype. Chris doesn't believe you can sell everybody (in fact he generally is content with a 40% closing ratio) but he helps you spend enormous time in preparation, something few sales instructors do much about.

The book could use a bit more information on the much talked-about, but never demonstrated, "Customer Needs Analysis", but I assume that Chris is assuming you will use your standard approach with that one. Everything else is done quite well.

I'm in insurance sales (personal and commercial) and nearly 80% of the book was directly applicable to my situation. The book focuses a bit more on "corporate" sales, so if you are in a position where you must sell your company to another company, you may find it even more useful than I did. This book targets sales people that seemingly only have 10-20 good leads to work at a time, and rely on making 1-2 sales week, instead of the hundreds of leads I work, and the 10-20 sales a week that we are expected to make. Hopefully, Chris will put out some more material for those of us with literally thousands of paying clients and give us some more insight on how to use his system with them. Until then, I'll be doing my best to integrate what I've learned in this book with insurance sales and service.