01.
Movie: Ray
The Mess Around Scene
This movie chronicles the life of the musician Ray Charles. This powerful scene highlights a key struggle many entrepreneurs deal with (getting stuck) before making it. Prior to this scene, Ray is a gifted musician that makes a living copying other artists. Ahmet (a music executive) opens Ray's mind to think differently about music and taps into his creative genius with the song Mess Around. This was the turning point in the movie for Ray becoming a superstar.
Key Quote
"You either sound original or you got nothing." - Production Team
Key Skill
Giving Feedback:
If you're going to provide feedback, make sure to provide a solution that will help improve the situation.
02.
Movie: The Founder
The New American Church Scene
This movie chronicles the history of McDonald's. In this scene, Ray Kroc does an outstanding job communicating the vision of what McDonald's can be.
Key Quote
"McDonald’s can be the new American church, feeding bodies and feeding soles and it ain’t just open on Sundays, boys." - Ray Kroc
Key Skill
Setting a Vision:
When communicating a vision to others, they must be able to see themselves in it and big enough to make them excited.
03.
Movie: The Pursuit Of Happyness
The Job Interview Scene
This movie chronicles the life of the Entrepreneur Chris Gardner in the early 1980s. This powerful scene highlights how utilizing your wits during a bad interview can turn things around. Remember, your business first impression could be the difference between fast-tracking your career or watching it stand still for years.
Key Quote
"Chris, what would you say if a guy walked into an interview without a shirt on and I hired him, what would you say?" - Martin Frohm
Key Skill
Interviewing:
A skilled communicator understands preparation and listening are the keys to any successful job interview. Injecting some self-defecating humor can instantly make you stand out and help you land the job instantly.
04.
Movie: The Social Network
The Initial Meeting with Sean Parker Scene
This movie loosely chronicles the history of Facebook. In this scene, Sean Parker exudes extreme confidence throughout their initial meeting and makes a memorable first impression.
Key Quote
"A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool? A billion dollars." - Sean Parker
Key Skill
Confidence:
When preparation meets excitement, a skilled communicator will appear confident in any conversation.
05.
Movie: In Good Company
The Making an Ad Sale Scene
This fictional movie highlights the issues that can arise when a young star in a company is promoted too quickly. In this scene, Dan Forman builds rapport seamlessly with Eugene Kalb to make the sale
Key Quote
"...how about your grandkids?" - Dan Foreman
Key Skill
Small Talk:
A skilled communicator uses small talk to learn more about the client and establish rapport faster.
6.
Movie: Moneyball
The Asking All the Wrong Questions Scene
This movie chronicles how the 2002 Oakland A's used statistics to build a winning team. In this scene, Peter Brand breaks down his philosophy for building a winning baseball team differently.
Key Quote
"Baseball thinking is medieval. They are asking all the wrong questions." - Peter Brand
Key Skill
Simplicity:
A skilled communicator can take a complex subject and break it down so everyone in the room can understand it.
Not all communicators are created equal.
These next scenes highlight gifted communicators who lie, scam, and take advantage of others. What skills can we learn from con artists and criminals?
07.
Movie: Boiler Room
The Reco Scene
This movie chronicles the recruitment process for the investment firm Stratton Oakmont. This is the same firm in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. This scene highlights the importance of scripting a conversation when selling over the phone. In under 5 minutes, the doctor buys 2000 shares of an unknown stock over the phone from a complete stranger.
Key Quote
"Tell me something, you're a doctor. Have you ever heard of a drug called Fenamul?" - Seth Davis
Key Skill
Grabbing Their Attention:
A skilled communicator understands calling a stranger over the phone to sell something is just an interruption. They also understand when calling a stranger to tell them new information can create an instant friend wanting to know more.
08.
Movie: The Wolf of Wallstreet
The Aerotyne Scene
This movie chronicles the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort. In this scene, Jordan does a masterful job of selling a junk stock over the phone to a complete stranger in just a few minutes.
Key Quote
"…next generation of radar detectors that have both huge military and civilian applications." - Jordan Belfort
Key Skill
Painting a Picture:
A skilled communicator knows how to paint a picture through words to sell their idea.
09.
Movie: Scarface
The Initial Meeting with Alejandro Sosa Scene
This fictional movie chronicles the rise and fall of Tony Montana. In this scene, Tony meets Sosa and negotiates a drug buy from Bolivian to the United States.
Key Quote
"So why don't we split the risk?" - Tony Montana
Key Skill
Negotiating:
A skilled negotiator knows how to overcome objections and provide solutions that meet everyone's needs.
10.
Movie: Tin Men
The Life Magazine Scene
This fictional movie sheds some light into the shady door to door sales industry. In this scene, the two salesmen use Life Magazine to sell the homeowner aluminum siding.
Key Takeaways
"We're with Life Magazine, we'll be out of here in just a few minutes." - John Mahoney
Key Skill
Credibility:
A skilled communicator uses credibility to build trust and make themselves an expert on the subject.