“If you can sell. you’ll never be unemployed”

Sales is a very important part of business and the ability to sell is an important asset to have. “If you can sell, you’ll never be unemployed” or “if you can sell, you’ll always have a job” are popular sayings. “If you can sell, you’ll always have a job in sports” was written by basketball executive and motivational speaker Pat Williams in 1999.
 
NBA Dallas Mavericks owner and business entrepreneur Mark Cuban has frequently used the saying. “If you can sell, you can get a job – anywhere, anytime,” Cuban wrote on his blog on February 2, 2005. “If you can sell, you’ll never be unemployed” is a Cuban quote that was frequently cited in 2014.
 
   
Wikipedia: Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban (born July 31, 1958) is an American businessman, investor, and owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theatres, and Magnolia Pictures, and the chairman of the HDTV cable network AXS TV. He is also a “shark” investor on the television series Shark Tank. In 2011, Cuban wrote an e-book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, in which he chronicles his life experiences in business and sports.
 
Google Books
Ahead of the Game:
The Pat Williams Story
By Pat Williams
Grand Rapids, MI: F.H. Revell
1999
Pg. 73:
“If you can sell, you’ll always have a job in sports.”
 
That was one of many times I took note of what Bill Durney told me — sometimes I took mental notes, but I also filled a notebook with ideas, principles, and sage advice he gave me.
         
Blog Maverick (The Mark Cuban Weblog)
Need a Job?
Posted on February 2, 2005
(...)
2. If you can sell, you can get a job – anywhere, anytime
When I was growing up I was told over and over again, if you can sell, you can always get a job. Of course, I was told that after a friend of my moms’ told me when I was in highschool, that I should also have a trade to fall back on. He tried to teach me how to lay carpet. My first, last and only experience was working for him and watching him shake his head and rip out whatI had done…. But I digress
 
I don’t remember who told me that selling was a job for a lifetime, but they were right.
 
If you can sell, you can find a job in sports. I will take a high school dropout who is caring, involved and can sell overan MBA in sports management almost everytime.
 
Google Books
Raising Black Boys
By Jawanza Kunjufu
Chicago, IL: African American Images
2007
Pg. 216:
If you can sell, you will never be unemployed.
 
Duquesne University
DU Sports Marketing Program Creates Win for Students, Alumni and Athletics
March 12th, 2007
(...)
“This is something student can put on their resumes,” said Dr. Ron Dick, who teaches the course. “If you can sell in the sports industry, you’ll always have a job.”
   
JavaRanch
william gates
posted 3/21/2007 12:07 PM
(...)
If you can sell anything, you’ll probably always have a job, regardless of what field you are in.
 
Google Books
Advanced Theory and Practice in Sport Marketing
By Eric Schwarz and Jason D. Hunter
San Diego, CA; Butterworth-Heinemann
2008
Pg. 175:
And remember, “If you can sell, you will always have a job.”
   
Ben’s Blog
Book Review – How To Win At The Sport of Business by Mark Cuban
November 25, 2011 By Ben Nesvig
(...)
The biggest “YES!” moment of the book came when he ranted about schools not teaching sales. It blows my mind that I didn’t learn ANYTHING about sales in college. Nothing. Not one footnote in one class about how to sell yourself and your skills. Yet, like Cuban states in the book, if you want to never be unemployed become good at sales. If you can sell, you can work anywhere.
 
Google Books
$ell Your Little Heart Out!
By Alan L. Alford
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2012
Pg. 131:
If you can sell, you will always have a job.
 
built in chicago
25 Awesome Mark Cuban Quotes From #BSIcuban
Marvin Russell on Mar 6th, 2014
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20. “If you can sell, you’ll never be unemployed”
~ Mark Cuban
 
Twitter
Tim Kopp
‏@tbkopp
If you can sell, you’ll never be unemployed. Truth .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
7:34 PM - 6 Mar 2014
 
Twitter
Jeffrey Manu
‏@jeffreymanu
If you can sell, you should not be unemployed. If you are unemployed, you should learn to sell. http://tmblr.co/ZWMVxx19eXopy
10:59 AM - 9 Mar 2014
 
Insurance Journal
Should Agency Owners Find or Develop Salespeople?
By Chris Burand | November 3, 2014
(...)
Good salespeople are a precious resource in every industry. This is why the old adage, “If you can sell, you’ll never find yourself unemployed for long,” is so true. A shortage of good producers always seems to exist. In fact, many acquisitions are driven by the seller’s inability to find enough good producers to grow their agency. When they sell, they are effectively giving up.