The Greatest Salesman by Og Mandino

Background of the Author

Og Mandino (born as Augustine Mandino II in Framingham, Massachusetts, died in Antrim, New

Hampshire) was a famous Author from USA, who lived between December 12, 1923 and September 3,
1996. He became 72 years old.

-Augustine "Og" Mandino II was a writer born in Italy and lived in the USA, he wrote the bestselling book
The Greatest Salesman in the World.

-He was a "guru" of industry sales. He presided over the magazine Success Unlimited until 1976 when, at
age 52, "shocked the industry by giving the presidency to devote himself full time to writing and
lecturing" (from the afterword of the book The Choice, Bantam Books, 1984, a novel translated in Brazil
as The Right Choice).

-Og as a former alcoholic who almost came to suicide, became a millionaire by publishing The Greatest
Salesman in the World. It became one of the most inspiring authors and successful segment called self-
help books mainly focused on sales. Her books have sold over 50 million copies and been translated into
twenty-five languages. Og Mandino is part of the "National Speakers Association Hall Of Fame".

Background of the Book

Pages: 111 pages

When was the greatest salesman in the world written?

-The Greatest Salesman in the World is a book, written by Og Mandino, that serves as a guide to a

philosophy of salesmanship, and success, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life
of abundance. The book was first published in 1968, and re-issued in 1983 by Bantam.

Content presentation of the information found in the book

Overview
This self-help classic from best-selling author Og Mandino has been around since 1968, and yet a
surprising number of people in my generation and younger have not read it or even heard about The
Greatest Salesman in the World. It’s a tiny book with some powerful principles, written in a
compelling, clear style that makes for a quick read followed by a lot of reflection.

However, if you read it thinking it’s going to be a manual for how to become your company’s top
salesperson, you’ll be hugely disappointed. The Greatest Salesman in the World is more about how to
empower yourself to be successful. It teaches you to be an entrepreneur, a boot-strapper, and how to
motivate yourself to be successful.

The Parable

The book is actually a very readable parable about a young man named Hafid in ancient Jerusalem in
Biblical times. The young man learns from a very wealthy and successful trader — a man who has a
chain of stores and many employees — and wants to know his secrets of success. Well, the trader is
dying and the boy is like a son to the man, so he shares his secrets by telling the story of how he learned
the secrets to success.

When the trader was a young man himself, he was given 10 scrolls by an old rich man, with the mandate
to guard them with his life but to pass them on before he died. And thus, by passing these secret scrolls
to the young man, the secrets to success are preserved for another generation.

The 10 Scrolls

One by one, the old man reveals the 10 scrolls to the young man. The first scroll (“the scroll marked
one”) is titled “Today I begin a new life” and contains instructions for forming the habit that will lead to
the successful adoption of the principles contained in the following scrolls. The young man is to read
from the first scroll once in the morning, once after his midday meal, and once before he goes to bed,
and then do the same for each subsequent scroll, one per month.

The first scroll is an empowering scroll, telling him he has the power to change his life by changing his
thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, actions and habits. So far, so good.

But the second scroll is entitled “I will greet this day with love in my heart.” And you ask yourself: “What
does this have to do with salesmanship?” Again, if you’re looking for how to be a better salesman, this
will probably disappoint you. What the second scroll exemplifies is the positive philosophy contained in
this book (and all of Mandino’s subsequent books) — a positivity that I believe can truly change your life
if you commit yourself to it.

The other eight scrolls are also great advice, but the scroll marked three is my favorite — “I will persist
until I succeed”. Check this out:

In the Orient young bulls are tested for the fight arena in a certain manner. Each is brought to the ring
and allowed to attack a picador who pricks them with a lance. The bravery of each bull is then rated with
care according to the number of times he demonstrates his willingness to charge in spite of the sting of
the blade. Henceforth will I recognize that each day I am tested by life in like manner. If I persist, if I
continue to try,if I continue to charge forward, I will succeed.

I will persist until I succeed

Learning Insights

-In this fable, 10 ancient scrolls offer sage philosophical advice that can also help you sell better. The first
says you can grow if you harness your ambition.

-Shower love on the people in your life, including your business prospects.

-Never give up, and you will ultimately make the sale.

-You are unique and can accomplish unique things.

-This could be your last day on Earth, so don’t waste a minute.

-All things are possible when you control your moods and emotions.

-Learn to laugh at life and at yourself.

-Offer your gifts to others to “increase yourself a hundredfold.”

-Act now. Don’t dither over sales or life decisions.

-Never pray for wealth, luck or sales success. Instead, pray for wise guidance.