The Sales History Podcast
Welcome to The Sales History Podcast, the show that uncovers the forgotten stories, ideas, pioneers, and moments that shaped the sales profession and what they can teach us about selling, leading, and earning trust today.
The show is hosted by three-time award-winning author of The Transparency Sale, The Transparent Sales Leader, and Four Levers Negotiating, who has earned the Certified Speaking Professional keynote speaker designation, is a go-to-market sales trainer, and a sales nerd, Todd Caponi.
The Sales History Podcast
The First National Salesforce: How Cooke’s Sales Army Saved the Union
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You’ve heard about Abraham Lincoln. You’ve heard about Ulysses S. Grant. They’re credited with putting down the rebellion during the Civil War. But there was a forgotten sales master who may have been just as important.
“If ever there should be a Salesmen’s Hall of Fame, one of the first pedestals must be reserved for Jay Cooke.” - Ads and Sales, Herbert Newton Casson, 1911
In this episode, we explore the story of the "first national sales campaign" and the story of the unsung hero who, without his go-to-market sales strategy, the United States might look completely different today.
@saleshistorian on Instagram - daily quotes, pics & comics from the past
The Transparent Sales Leader - The book on revenue leadership includes several quotes and lessons from past sales.
The Transparency Sale - the first book, (ironically) named one of the top 100 sales books of all time.
COMING IN JANUARY OF 2026 - Four Levers Negotiating - chock full of history quotes, too...pre-order now.
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