Entrepreneurial Wisdom from Gangster Movies
Author: Joe Maddalone"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
The Godfather, ClemenzaDon't lose sight of what is actually important to your survival and what is not. So many of us get caught up in the clutter of various advertising scenarios and side projects that we can easily forget how we started and who our bread and butter customers really are. I recently reviewed the last few years of accounts and came to the realization that one of my most neglected avenues of income had added up to equal the payments of my largest client. Needless to say I have reinvested efforts into it and am beginning to see real results
"I'm a spoke on a wheel. I am, and so are you."
Donnie Brasco, LeftySomewhere I once read that in five years you will be the people you associate with, the books you read and the music you listen to. This sounds a bit harsh, but I have to admit that I have ssen it firsthand and it's solid advice.
Surround yourself with the people you admire. Collaborate and invite critique. Seek out those who challenge and inspire you.
"Every dog has his day"
Scarface, Tony MontanaGetting dismayed is natural, it's really those who keep an eye on the prize that prevail. Fundamentally, you cant lose if you don't play, but can't win either. Keep doing what it is that you love, keep trying new things and your day will come.
"I look at this town, and I don't like what I see."
Copland,Sheriff Freddy HeflinMany, many of the most successful businesses around, especially all these web startups are founded on the idea of fixing an existing problem or adding a functionality that was needed. See a problem fix it. Just look at 37Signals, who knew that TaDaLists would turn into Basecamp, Hirise, etc.
Darren Rowse, who lives in "The House that Google Built" started only two years ago - sounds crazy doesn't it?
"I'm going to give you an opportunity: get out of this."
Suicide Kings, Charlie BarretKnow your exit. Know your exit. Know your exit.
"Back home, they put me in jail for what I'm doing. Here, they give me awards."
Casino, Sam RothsteinI am not saying break the rules, but be certain to push them all the way to their limits. No one ever got rich by not pushing the boundaries of either customers or industry. This is absolutely true of todays online businesses. Look at the most successful eBayers... thousands and thousands of items listed, Bloggers with hundreds of sites, Google isn't just sitting back and raking it in they are constantly pushing the boundaries of what they can get away with. You should to.
"...you were a little out of line yourself."
Goodfellas, Jimmy ConwayA wrong is a wrong is a wrong, don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong. As long as you learn from your wrong decisions they are valuable decisions
"You don't need proof when you have instinct."
Reservoir Dogs, JoeMaybe a bit of both is really needed, but so many seem to fall into the pattern of playing it safe when what is needed is a little bit of courage
Despite what people may thing the Internet is still very much like the Wild Wild West
Got one?
I am certain I left out a ton of great lines from gangster movies that could be added here, perhaps you know one?
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4/22/2008 3:46:32 PM Say hello to my little friend, comment testing.