The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies our time. It was the top grossing movie of 1972, won multiple Academy Awards and catapulted the organised crime genre into the popular culture limelight.
The movie, following the story of the powerful Italian-American crime family, the Corleone’s, is a perfectly paced, character-driven drama crammed with fantastic dialogue, edge-of-your-seat scenes and an unforgettable storyline all told from the point of view of the criminals. It is a beautifully shot cinematic masterpiece featuring impeccable acting, music choices and overall look, making it truly compelling, powerful and memorable.
So what can this extraordinary movie teach us about the world of business? Read on to find out more…
Be decisive
Don Corleone is a man known for his ability to make decisions very quickly. He is a highly respected man who knows exactly what he wants and is able to execute his thoughts decisively, thus commanding respect through steadfast leadership. In his famous words, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” he makes it clear that he doesn’t mess around during negotiations.
We’re not recommending that you go about threatening or killing each another to demand respect, but by knowing what you want from your business and being unwavering in your decisions, you stand a far better chance of succeeding in the cutthroat world of business. Get straight to the point during business decisions and make compelling offers that are attractive to the opposite party.
Also, work closely with your team to ensure they are making the right choices, but at the same time choose your team wisely so that you can trust that they will make the right decisions. Avoid being hesitant; hesitation can all too easily lead to missed opportunities.
Remember that Business is Business
Know your competition and remain one step ahead of the game in order to grab opportunities as they surface and beat the competition. In the words of Michael Corleone, “it’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.” Sonny Corleone was a character known for his short temper and when he reacted impulsively and emotionally towards a photographer, this nearly killed his brother-in-law, which led to his demise.
In business, there are winners and there are losers but at the end of the day, business is business and there is no point in reacting emotionally when it comes to making decisions. When people base their business decisions on emotion, mistakes happen, so eliminate emotion and ego from the equation.
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”
Though keeping close relations with your business partners is essential, so too is it important to keep a close eye on the competition. Business is a race to ensure that your clients are continually satisfied and that your products or services are better than your competitors, but you cannot expect to beat the competition if you do not keep an eye on them. Analyse your competitors and identify their strengths and weaknesses so that you can adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.
Closing thoughts
The Godfather is a powerful, inspiring, eye-opening view into the world of mafia culture, and can teach us so much about how to succeed in the world of business. What lessons did you learn from this fascinating movie? Leave a comment on our Facebook page to let us know!
Other movies and shows covered in the series:
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