Think business is logical? Think again. Through thirty years of commercial war stories, Grant Stanley exposes the myths that cost organisations millions. From sales trainers who can't sell to KPIs that reward failure, this witty, evidence-driven book reveals why trust, common sense and understanding people consistently outperform scripts, buzzwords and corporate theatre. You'll laugh, wince and probably recognise your own workplace.
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Maker
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Most business advice sounds convincing—until you compare it with what actually happens. Drawing on more than thirty years of experience in sales, marketing, management and consultancy, Grant Stanley challenges many of the accepted truths that businesses rarely question.
Through humorous, thought-provoking and often surprising real-life stories from organisations including BT, American Express, Holland & Barrett, G4S and the UK Government, he exposes the myths surrounding sales training, CRM systems, KPIs, marketing, procurement and leadership.
Rather than offering another methodology or miracle formula, Everything They Told You About Sales Is Wrong reveals why commercial success is usually built on trust, judgement, curiosity and common sense rather than scripts, processes and corporate theatre.
Entertaining, evidence-driven and refreshingly honest, this is a book for business owners, managers, marketers, consultants and sales professionals who want to understand how business really works—not how training courses claim it should.
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Curious what this looks like as an audiobook - wondering if the dry humour and references land the same way when you're not flipping pages. Also, is there any companion workbook or just the book itself?
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Maker
@ufukamac8zz Unfortunately there is no comapnion workbook. I don't offer 3 pillars, 5 magic secrets, or 7 golden circles. There is no magical new frameworks, it is just a stark warning that sometimes the things we assume will work, because they are said with confidence, DON'T! Always ask for evidence! Thankfully it reads like I talk and the 'War Stories' included are just a fraction of the things I've witnessed. I have a dry/sarcastic British sense of humour lol
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Would love to see a quick reference card or cheat sheet at the back that distills the main myths vs. truths, something I could hand to a new hire on day one. Even just one page of the core principles would make the book stick way better in practice.
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Maker
@civitoglu6428 feel free to buy the book and make your own lol! That's the beauty of this book; we all have our own war stories that are applicable to your industry. Make your cheat sheet personal to YOUR business.
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Love that this isn't another "10 hacks to close more deals" book. The chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell is painfully accurate, I've sat through that exact TED talk pitch deck.
finally a sales book that doesn't read like a corporate pamphlet, the chapter on KPIs actually made me rethink how we track my team and the war stories are painfully funny
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Maker
@halimepw1r I appreciate the feedback. Enjoy the book
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Grant pulls no punches here — the chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell had me laughing out loud and wincing at the same time. Finally a business book that trusts the reader to think.
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Picked it up on a whim and the chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell hit a little too close to home. The tone is sharp without being preachy, and it reads fast.
Curious what this looks like as an audiobook - wondering if the dry humour and references land the same way when you're not flipping pages. Also, is there any companion workbook or just the book itself?
@ufukamac8zz Unfortunately there is no comapnion workbook. I don't offer 3 pillars, 5 magic secrets, or 7 golden circles. There is no magical new frameworks, it is just a stark warning that sometimes the things we assume will work, because they are said with confidence, DON'T! Always ask for evidence! Thankfully it reads like I talk and the 'War Stories' included are just a fraction of the things I've witnessed. I have a dry/sarcastic British sense of humour lol
Would love to see a quick reference card or cheat sheet at the back that distills the main myths vs. truths, something I could hand to a new hire on day one. Even just one page of the core principles would make the book stick way better in practice.
@civitoglu6428 feel free to buy the book and make your own lol! That's the beauty of this book; we all have our own war stories that are applicable to your industry. Make your cheat sheet personal to YOUR business.
Love that this isn't another "10 hacks to close more deals" book. The chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell is painfully accurate, I've sat through that exact TED talk pitch deck.
@aydnza23 Unfortunately, we ALL have lol.
finally a sales book that doesn't read like a corporate pamphlet, the chapter on KPIs actually made me rethink how we track my team and the war stories are painfully funny
@halimepw1r I appreciate the feedback. Enjoy the book
Grant pulls no punches here — the chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell had me laughing out loud and wincing at the same time. Finally a business book that trusts the reader to think.
Picked it up on a whim and the chapter on sales trainers who can't actually sell hit a little too close to home. The tone is sharp without being preachy, and it reads fast.