Sales Tales

The Hustle, Humor, and Lessons from a Life in Sales

By: Mandi Graziano

Narrated by: Mandi Graziano

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Mandi Graziano used to think “sales'' was a dirty word.

Then she made a living out of it and realized we all need sales in every aspect of our lives, not just business. Sales Tales: The Hustle, Humor, and Lessons From a Life in Sales is Graziano’s passionately told, vibrantly funny account chronicling her colorful career in sales, the skills she gained, and the lessons learned over the last 20-plus years.

Honest, entertaining, and overflowing with practical tips and strategies, Sales Tales follows the order of a typical sale: from prospecting, networking, building relationships, making presentations, closing the deal, and running a business through a crisis, or as she calls it, “disaster selling”.

Included are deep-dives into the finest nuances of the sales process, laugh-out-loud humor, and fascinating anecdotes that illuminate the importance of:

• Building lasting business relationships
• Creative and memorable selling tactics
• Time management
• Firing clients
• Understanding the value of your product or service
• Defining your Business Bedside Manner™

Woven throughout are relatable stories that bring the lessons to life and underscore the wit and wisdom in every situation—even the awkward ones.

Whether you’re a business owner who needs customers, an entrepreneur looking for investors, a sales person at any level of your career, or a parent desperately seeking negotiation tactics to convince your kids to go to bed, you need good sales skills. Sales Tales is sure to resonate within the business world and beyond.

©2021 Mandi Graziano (P)2022 Mandi Graziano

I am not in sales, and I enjoyed this book!

This was a refreshing book to listen to and just pick up easy to apply “nuggets” to your daily life to make it better.

Mandi does a great job with the narration!

Such great perspective!

As someone who wouldn’t identify as a “sales person” (but clearly is as a small business owner), I found this book to be uplifting, encouraging and insightful. Mandi’s joyful, positive and powerful approach to sales is refreshing. Not one did I enjoy all her great stories, I tucked a few sales nuggets in my pocket and have recommended this book to all my sales managers friends.

5 Stars: A Powerful Sales and Life Lesson Book

“Sales Tales" by Mandi Graziano is an exceptional read that goes beyond traditional sales literature to offer profound life lessons and practical sales strategies. Mandi's ability to intertwine vulnerability with her sales journey is both refreshing and inspiring, demonstrating that there is no shame in asking for help and evolving as a seller through authentic connections.

One of the standout elements of the book is a set of guiding principles for building and maintaining genuine relationships. The rules themselves are a revelation, offering straightforward yet powerful advice that can transform one's approach to networking and sales. Mandi's emphasis on trust, underscoring that "people buy from people they trust," is a timeless truth that she illustrates with compelling examples.

The value of making decisions creatively is another key highlight. Whether she's drawing parallels to a barbecue or a bike ride, Mandi shows how creativity and brevity can lead to successful outcomes: "Be brief, be bright, be gone" is a mantra that resonates throughout the book.

Mandi's personal stories add depth and authenticity to her advice. Her vulnerability and honesty, especially in her career examples, are remarkable. She candidly discusses how struggles can become superpowers, turning personal challenges into strengths that fuel success. The chapter on her bike ride is particularly insightful, offering a thoughtful dissertation on perseverance and perspective.

Overall, "Sales Tales" is more than just a sales manual; it's a guide to navigating both professional and personal challenges with resilience and creativity. Mandi Graziano's blend of practical advice, heartfelt storytelling, and actionable strategies make this book a must-read for anyone looking to excel in sales and beyond. Highly recommended!