- Title: Cutting Edge: Birth Of A Salesman
- Date: 21st October 1996
- Summary: SELLING ISN'T A JOB - IT'S A RELIGION, COMPLETE WITH ITS OWN SAINTS, PROPHETS AND MARTYRS. THIS EVANGELICAL MESSAGE IS REVEALED IN CLAUDIA NYE'S STYLISH FILM WHICH FOLLOWS THE FORTUNES OF TEN RAW NOVICES, DRAWN FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS, AS THEY SET OUT FOR THEIR FIRST YEAR ON THE ROAD. BEFORE THESE NEW MISSIONARIES CAN BE UNLEASHED ON THE WORLD, VIGOROUS TRAINING NEEDS TO BE UNDERTAKEN. THIS CONSISTS OF LEARNING THE SALES PATTER, HANDLING THE MERCHANDISE CORRECTLY AND LISTENING TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS WHO EXPLAIN THAT, WHILE ALMOST ANYONE CAN BE A SALESMAN FOR A WHILE, TO TRULY BECOME ONE TAKES STAMINA, COMMITMENT, MOTIVATION, FAITH - AND A LOT OF FAST TALKING. THE TRAINEES LISTEN, AGOG. STATISTICALLY, ONLY ONE IN TEN OF THEM WILL SUCCEED BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR. IT'S A CRUEL WORLD OUT THERE, AND THOSE WHO FAIL TO ACHIEVE THE MINIMUM SALES TARGET WILL BE RUTHLESSLY "TERMINATED".
- Description:Documentary film about the training of ten new recruits as salesmen at the British branch of the German company, Vorwerk. This includes learning the sales patter, handling the merchandise correctly and listening to motivational speakers who explain that, to become a salesman takes stamina, commitment, motivation, faith and a lot of fast talking.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Mosaic Pictures LTD
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:21/10/1996
- Rights:On Request
- Decade: 1990s