A former bin man has launched his first book detailing 100 winning sales techniques which have seen the company he works for experience 18 per cent sales growth year-on-year.
Oisín Browne, author of The Binman’s Guide to Selling, started out as a second helper on The City Bin Co’s early morning bin collection route in Galway back in 1998. Rising up through the ranks over the past 15 years, he has seen the company grow from a handful of employees with one truck, two customers, and four bins in Galway, to more than 100 staff in Ireland and ambitious plans for Europe.
Now a shareholder in the company and social media lead in the sales and marketing team, Browne’s book charts the lessons learned over the years in bite-sized tips to help guide the budding entrepreneur or salesman, or anyone seeking inspiration to get into a winning mindset.
“Working on the truck was akin to the classroom,” Mr Browne said. “Starting at any time between 3am and 6am in the morning and working in all conditions, I learned the importance of time management and teamwork. I was exercising every day and keeping myself fit without even knowing it. Eight hours a day running after a big truck and picking up rubbish tends to do that. This taught me that when your body is fit your mind is more focused. These small actions were shaping the foundation for my career in business and sales.”
The Binman’s Guide to Selling is not just about the waste industry, though. The collection of selling suggestions which apply across every sector has received international praise from Libby Gill (business coach and branding brain behind the Dr Phil Show in the US ), and Marshall Goldsmith (million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There ).
“The book contains something for everyone – from students, to business and sales management teams, to the curious person studying at the university of life,” Mr Browne added. “I credit the lessons learned with giving me confidence and self-belief that converts ‘potentials’ into ‘wins’, regardless of their nature. It’s all about positive outlook, getting in the right frame of mind and keeping things simple, first and foremost.”
An accessible and informative read, The Binman’s Guide to Selling’s key chapters include ‘Don’t Drop Your Trousers!’, ‘The Secret Language of Selling’, and ‘Break The Year Down To The Day’. Littered with colourful, real-life, anecdotes and accompanying tips, the book also contains interviews with top-selling teams, business owners, and consultants, including Fyffes, Maxol, and RTÉ Radio.
Launching the book, entrepreneur and former Dragon’s Den panellist Seán Gallagher said: “The Binman’s Guide to Selling is more than just an account of how to succeed in business. Where many business motivation books merely recycle old formulae, Browne, though a series of evidence-based pointers, effortlessly dispels myths and steers readers on a direct course to personal success. You will sit up, take notice, and feel empowered to put what you’ve read into practice immediately. This is a business guide, lifestyle tool, and humorous read all in one.”
The Binman’s Guide to Selling is available at Amazon.com, Eason, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Galway and all good book shops nationwide. For more information, visit www.binmansguide.com
