I get asked to read and review a lot of books. I’m not always able to, but love to sharpen my sword, learn new info, and help out an author when I can. If anyone appreciates the power and influence of book reviews, it’s me!
Months ago I received a box in the mail from Dan Waldschmidt. It came unannounced, and it was different than anything I’d received in a long time. First lesson for salespeople: be different to get a prospect’s attention. Along with Dan’s not-yet-released book were some slick handouts, a workbook, handwritten note personalized to me, and an expensive set of vintage style boxing gloves. Are you intrigued yet? You think the packaging made an impact? Was there any way I wasn’t going to review this book when that much energy, creativity and love were put into the request? Second sales lesson: passion and creativity count – a lot.
EDGY Conversations delivers on its promise and packaging. It’s so good, so different, so powerful, so helpful that I’ve decided not even to attempt to offer a summary here. There are dozens and dozens of reviews posted for this incredible book (for good reason). Do a quick search online and you can spend an afternoon reading perspectives on Waldschmidt’s four years of work creating this masterpiece.
I will, however, offer WHY I think this is must read:
The book delivers on its promise. The subtitle “How Ordinary People Can Achieve Outrageous Success” is spot on. No false promise or under-delivery here from the author.
Instead of offering some cool new idea promising the reader an easy path to success, riches and world domination, Waldschmidt tells the truth and backs it up with evidence from more than 100 examples of real people. This quote of Dan excerpted from a review on Yahoo Finance spoke to my heart and aligns well with my observations of many struggling salespeople today: “It seems like my generation has traded the hard-work mentality of our forefathers and tried to philosophize a solution around ‘7-step business programs’ and inbound social-media sales initiatives that ultimately do not work…” Amen, Brother Waldschmidt. Preach it!
The opening story that begins on page four will take your breath away, pin you back in your seat, likely cause you to engage with an author in a way you haven’t in a long time. I won’t say anymore about that story because I can’t do it justice. After reading it, you tell me if that’s the case.
You need this book because it’s great. Everything about it is great: The look. The graphics. The layout. The writing style. The length. Even the paper it’s printed on. And it’s not just great; it’s different. And you know what all of us could use, particularly those of us who sell for a living? A lesson in being great and different. There is so much “sameness” today — Everyone running around sounding the same, using the same hackneyed expressions (I just wanted to reach out and…), same sales voice, webinars, presentation style, CRM, and on, and on, and on.
I highly recommend this book. Go here to learn more, watch a quick video clip or buy the book.
Dan Waldschmidt is an international business strategist, speaker, author and extreme athlete. His consulting firm, Waldschmidt Partners International, solves complex marketing and business strategy problems for savvy companies all over the world. Dow Jones calls his Edgy Conversations blog one of the top sales sites on the internet. He’s been profiled in Business Week, INC Magazine, BBC, Fox News, The Today Show, and Business Insider, has been the featured guest on dozens of radio programs, has published hundreds of articles on progressive business strategy, and has spoken at Fortune 50 companies, universities and conferences.
