God is a Salesman
by Mark Stevens
Published by Center Street
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cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame
The publisher puts this book in the sales and customer service categories. I would have also placed it in the Christian nonfiction category. What author Stevens says is that in the age of science and reason, people still believe in a God that loves them and cares for them. Some would say this is not rational.
So why do people believe – because God is a salesman and has sold us on that concept. Now, that sounds scary. We have been “sold”!? Except that what Stevens explains in the book is a way of selling that is based on trust, truth, integrity, having the best interest of the customer in mind, etc. So, it starts to sound less like selling and more like serving.
Throughout the book Stevens explains how God has “sold” himself (in the Judeo-Christian tradition) to mankind – and then parallels how this can be applied to others types of selling. Near the beginning of the book he provides a table that contrasts the traditional way with the Master’s way. It includes things like:
Traditional Way
Meet expectations
Satisfy customers
Give customers what they expect
Master’s Way
Exceeds expectations
Thrill them
Surprise them with gestures of thoughtfulness
Basically what Stevens says is that God the Salesman wants a lifetime relationship with people that love Him and that too often companies are looking for the minimum they can do to make a sale and perhaps make another sale later.
Someone who wants to improve sales and customer service will find much in this book to learn from. Someone who wants a fresh look at how the God of the Bible treats His people will find that as well.
Armchair Interviews says: A business book with a Christian foundation.