Summary of Triggers: 30 Sales Tools You Can Use to Control the Mind of Your Prospect to Motivate, Influence, and Persuade, by Joseph Sugarman
Unlock the secrets of persuasion with Joseph Sugarman's 'Triggers.' Explore 30 tools to influence and motivate prospects in sales.
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Ah, Triggers! A veritable treasure trove for aspiring salespeople and anyone who secretly wants to become a Jedi mind trick master. Joseph Sugarman, the maestro of persuasion, has gifted us this gem filled with 30 sales tools designed to help control your prospect's mind. Basically, it's like a cheat sheet for anyone trying to win that oh-so-elusive sale or get someone to say "yes" to literally anything - like that last piece of pizza at a party!
Let's dive right into this smorgasbord of psychological insights that'll make you feel like you've entered the Hogwarts of salesmanship. The book kicks off by painting a clear picture of how the human brain works when it comes to decision-making. Spoiler alert: we're not as logical as we think! Sugarman explains that emotions are the puppeteers of our choices, which means if you want to push someone's buttons (in a sales-friendly way), you'll need to get cozy with their emotional triggers.
Moving along, each of the 30 tools has its own dedicated spotlight, making it easy for you to pick your favorites like you're at a candy store. For instance, one key tool is about harnessing the power of curiosity. Ever seen a movie trailer that doesn't spoil the whole thing but instead leaves you hanging? That's the goal. Create intrigue around your offer and people will flock to you like moths to a flame. Another gem includes the fear of loss, which basically argues that people will sprint faster to save a dollar than they will to earn one. So, throw in a limited time offer and watch them lose their cool!
Sugarman's style is refreshingly candid - assuming you love a good cocktail of humor and straightforward advice mixed together with a sprinkle of sales motivation. He doesn't shy away from sharing his own stories, which is delightful, as we get to see how he has navigated the wild waters of sales over decades. It's like having a wise (and funny) uncle who wants to impart some life-changing knowledge while also making you chuckle.
A major theme running through the book is the importance of understanding your prospect's mindset. Sugarman emphasizes empathy and connection more than any sleazy tactic. Imagine being at a party where you genuinely engage with someone instead of just pitching them your dream vacation in Hawaii while wearing a Hawaiian shirt. It's all about building relationships, people!
Now, for those worried about spoilers, rest assured: this isn't Game of Thrones where someone definitely dies every other chapter. Instead, you'll be treated to a grand lineup of psychological techniques that help you craft your sales approach, understand your prospects better, and influence them like the sales guru you aspire to be.
So, if you're ready to play mind games (the good kind) and be the life of the sales party, dive into Sugarman's Triggers. You won't just learn how to influence and persuade; you'll uncover the secrets of human behavior that can turn a "no" into a "why not?" just like that! Happy selling!
Maddie Page
Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.