Since this book came in as an adjunct to the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, it also has to be evaluated in terms of how well it fits. That is where the book falls down. Although Mr. Kiyosaki is correct in describing that his rich Dad said to him, "If you want to enter the world of business, you must first learn how to sell," this book doesn't pick up enough on that perspective. It is a cross between a book for someone already in sales, and someone new to sales management. Although there is a little material in here about how people new to sales can learn, that isn't really the focus.

The strength of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series is that each book is extremely simple and focused. $ales Dogs tries to be too much like a standard book on sales.

The book's basic point is that sales people start out tending to emphasize one of five selling styles: "sheer power and fearlessness" -- the pit bull; "customer service is everything" -- the golden retriever; "incredibly well connected . . . Ultimate Marketing Dog" -- the poodle; "technical wizards" -- the chihuahua; and the "trustworthy . . . strength of personality and personal rapport" of the basset hound.

Readers are then encouraged to learn lessons from the best traits of the other styles. If you put them all together, you can be a "SuperMutt." Within all of these styles are people who prefer to shoot for the big sale, and they are Big Dogs -- meaning they want a big deal or no deal.

The book does a nice job of explaining some of the mindsets and key skills that help in sales and sales management. However, each is explained so briefly that the information will only be helpful to those who have not been exposed to these ideas before. Mastering the art of delivering powerful presentations is something that you can never learn enough about, and this is often the topic of entire books and courses. So I graded the book as a three because it was too much of a compromise between too many different types of books. As a result, it gives too little to any particularly type of reader.

I should mention that the illustrations are terrifically funny for those who want to use this as a humor book who have been involved in sales for some time. I can see these being taped all over the sales offices across America.

After you finish reading this book, think about what one thing would make you more effective in making sales. If you're not sure, go ask the last people who did and did not buy from you what they would suggest.

Build on your instinct to help . . . to get the stamina you need to persevere in your sales challenges!

17 of 19 found the following review helpful:


A Must for ALL people involved in Sales  Nov 17, 2001 By TheProfitCoach.com
NO business succeeds without salesmanship, even if it's only in writing or on a video, website, or audio cassette. Many business owners and entrepreneurs try HARD to avoid that reality, simply because they have an incorrect perception of the sales process and the people who do it. Even doctors "sell", so just learn to accept and even like it. It's no where near as bad as most people make it out to be, and it's one of the most profitable occupations in the world to be involved in.

In all honesty, I actually avoided buying this book for quite some time!

When I first saw it in the bookshops, and had a quick flick through its contents, my initial impressions were that it was hokey or childish to compare Sales People to dogs. Even though it came recommended by Robert "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Kiyosaki (as part of his new Rich Dad's Advisors series) I decided not to buy it... I did not think it could teach me anything of value.

Many months later, I had occasion to visit the Sales Dogs website and review some of the information listed there, and was most intrigued with what I read. I learned about what kind of sales person I am (for those of you who have read this book or done the test, I'm primarily an even split Retriever/Chihuahua - for those of you who wonder what I'm babbling about, visit the website and do the FREE Sales Dogs profile test - lots of fun!)

Here's the silly part: I must have been daydreaming, because for some reason, I suddenly got the idea from the website that the book Sales Dogs was actually a follow-up to the first book I'd seen in the stores, and what I read about it on the website intrigued me enough to actually go out and buy it the next day.

Remember, I did this thinking it was NOT the first book!

When I got home and actually read it, I realised my silly mistake, but by that stage it was too late to do anything about it. Thankfully, I LOVED the book.

Blair Singer really captures the essence of the 5 major types of Sales People out in the marketplace. He just chose to represent them by using the dog metaphor - it adds a little fun to the whole proceedings. I could see myself in the various descriptions within this book as well as some of my friends who are also involved in sales in some form or the other.

Contrary to what the VAST majority of people believe, most sales people are NOT pit bull terrier attack dogs who love to latch onto a prospective customer, and then won't let go until they've bled them dry! Thank goodness for that, otherwise I would never have succeeded as a sales person, nor would many others out there in the business world either.

I guess that's one of the things that really appealed to me about this book - that a GOOD sales person can be low key, non-pressuring, service-oriented and open to their customers needs, all while achieving sales and business success. This is GREAT news for people who view ALL sales people in the same category as the used car sales person or door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman.

In my opinion, there is NO PLACE for the SHARK sales dog (heck, they're not even a dog!) in our modern age, and the sooner we run them out of town, the better!

This book will help sales people understand their strengths, weaknesses and how to improve in all areas. In addition, sales managers and business owners will gain a valuable insight into what makes their sales people tick. After all, if you can better understand each one of them, you can better support them in the way they need to become a superstar performer (which IS the goal, I assume?).

The beauty of Sales Dogs is that it covers 5 different types of sales people, who are very different in their priorities and goals from the other - most of us are a mixture of multiple dog types. The book explains how they think, what they want, and what gets in their way of being successful.

Now that I've read the book, I'm sold on Blair Singer's excellent metaphor of Sales Dogs. It's a winner in my opinion, and this book also comes highly recommended by TheProfitCoach.

20 of 23 found the following review helpful:


The Dog's Have It!  Mar 15, 2004 By Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owner - www.passionactivator.com"
I was first captivated by the title of this book and then was drawn in
more deeply by the no-nonsense approach I read throughout.

I actually laughed outloud about some of the Myths about
Selling which are argued (humorously -- I might add) with
facts.

Ahhh, I have heard this one COUNTLESS times before:

"What does selling have to do with building businesses,
managing people, raising money and investing?"

Rich Dad's answer -- "EVERYTHING!"

I also appreciate the section on who your most important sales
contract is with... YOURSELF... as you are your own harshest
critic, your own most difficult client and your own
personal objection and rejection machine -- all wrapped up
in ONE body!

The Five Sales Dog types are outlined more fully in the book
but even in their titles you may begin to recognize yourself
AND your staff (if you are a manager.)

Pit Bull - stereotypical, aggressive sales person

Golden Retriever - bundles of love customer service is everything
BEGS for the PRIVILEGE of selling to YOU, my fav customer!

Poodle -- Intellectual and high strung with the focus on looking good....

Chihuahua -- Don't be fooled by their small stature, they have TEETH!

Basset hound -- they look like they will roll over and take anything, what
they are really doing is building long term, loyal relationships.

and then... there are the BIG DOGS.....

The Sales People who want the biggest stage, the brightest lights,
the packed crowds and the FAST TRACK DEALS. They will put them
together, get the signature and for goodness sakes, get someone
else to follow up.....

The book goes on to teach the reader how to leverage their own
Sales Dog style to make the most of the bottom line.

With this book you can learn a LOT and enjoy the lessons as
you go. Its all delivered in the Rich Dad style PLUS yes, there
is even a free audio download available.....

A sure winner -- "The Dog's Have it!"

28 of 34 found the following review helpful:


To sell, must you bark or bite...?  Jun 13, 2001 By John P. Stamper "A Searcher"
This is a wonderful new book written as part of the new Rich Dad's Advisors series. Robert Kiyosaki has asked some of his closest friends to write books on their areas of expertise. Blair Singer stepped forward to contribute his take on salsemenship.

'Sales Dogs' is pretty straightfoward. It's a series of comparisons between different types of sales people and different breeds of dogs.

Have you ever seen the movie 'Glengary Glen Ross'?? I kept thinking of those characters as I read this book. There's the fierce Pit Bull (Alec Baldwin) who moves in quickly for the kill. There's the old fashioned, loveable Bassett Hound (Jack Lemmon)... who gently walks up to you and nudges your leg and then there's the ultra smooth talking, highly polished french poodle (Al Pachino).

I loved this book. It makes some really great comparisions between man's best friend.. and man's (occasional) worst enemy. If you are in the pursuit of financial literacy, I highly recommend this one, with any or all of the other 'rich dad' books.

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