Book Review: Way of the Wolf

Way of the Wolf is all about Jordan Belfort’s Straight Line selling method. You may remember him as the central character in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Jordan spends a good amount of the time in the opening apologizing and explaining that the selling method is only for ethical use. Ok, sure, whatever dude. It makes sense for him to be contrite given that he lied to his customers and broke several laws.

But the thing is, most of you are not good at sales. And I’ve read a lot of books on sales. Of all of them I’ve ever read, this is perhaps the most direct, concise, and easy to follow formula for selling.

In Jordan’s Straight Line selling method, you take your lead to the sale by following a direct path. When you feel like you’re veering off the path, you course correct to get back on it. Having sold my own services, I saw his description resonate with what I’ve found but had never articulated. Just seeing the pieces for what they are helped me reanalyze some of my own sales tactics. And I’ve already applied his principles on my own calls.

That being said, remember that books written about sales are for sales people. Although I recommend this book for its stellar content on how to become better at sales, there's also plenty you can skip if it doesn’t feel relevant. Many of you complain that business books have so many stories. I see this as a good thing: it makes it easier to skip to the info nuggets.

If any of you have read this book, let me know what you think in the comments below.