The Godfather Model For Online Businesses
Ever since it’s debut the Godfather movies have stood out as one of the most iconic trilogies in film history. Even if you aren’t a huge fan, it’s easy to admire the series for its cinematic qualities and pop culture status. And while we certainly can’t condone all the actions of the protagonist Don Vito Corleone, he is ironically a perfect example of the successful entrepreneur.
10 Quotes for Your Success
Let’s take a closer look at the movie trilogy and how it presents itself as a marketable guide. In this article I would like to outline some of the approaches The Godfather can teach us about how to run an online business in the here and now of digital eCommerce. Most of the following quotes you may know or recognize, but each one contains a nugget of wisdom.
1. “Great men are not born great, they grow great.”
The word “men” here is a bit of a misnomer, but the central thesis has a lot of merit: when it comes down to it, we’re all human, and we’re all susceptible to making mistakes and stumbling now and again. It’s important to be realistic about your business expectations, and not to expect superhuman results.
But there’s another important lesson here, and that is that everyone was once a beginner. One of the wisest pieces of business advice have ever heard was that success takes time and you should be prepared for that. Be patient and you’ll eventually be able to reap the benefits of hard work…
2. “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”
In our business life, just as in our personal life, little is solved by getting unnecessarily emotional. This can be difficult when the stakes are high and you’ve made decisions that put all your eggs in one basket — especially when the slightest change or breeze can spell disaster.
Never lose your own personal context: a business is, in the end, just a business. While success should always be our focus, it’s not a huge deal if you manage kick up your revenue in the next quarter, just as it’s not a huge deal if you feel the need to slow down a bit and review your strategies.
3. “He’s thinking of going to the mattresses.”
At the same time, staying vigilant is vital to a healthy business. You need to be prepared to fight for what’s important when the time comes. Whether you’re dealing with foreign investors or difficult clients, or the conflict is coming from within your own ranks, the philosophy of quick and productive resolution should always be at the forefront of an employee’s mind when the toe the company line.
4. “Michael, we are bigger than U. S. Steel.”
Perhaps my favorite quote, the meaning is pretty explicit: you can never think big enough. The price tag actually DOES have an impact on the perceived value of the goods and you should always see yourself as being among the big players and act accordingly. Your marketing should reflect your intentions, and as a result your campaigns need to focus on branding in a way that makes them seem clever and imposing to competitors.
5. “I want you to see what he’s got under his fingernails.”
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
Both these quotes are getting at the same things, and that’s understanding who and what you’re up against. What do your competitors eat for breakfast? Where do they go on holidays? Who are they? You should know them better than they know themselves and this means getting down to the nitty gritty and researching to find out what your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses are. This will help you to define your own advantages against them and your position in the market — the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be, and a huge component of this “diplomacy game” involves letting competitors know who you are.
6. “Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is almost the equal of family.”
Build loyalty. Never ever forget that it is your customers who matter the most. They pay for your products/services and you want them on your side, not just as a way to develop a client base but also because of their value as “social proof”. The more they share your own products, content, and brand, the more they do the work of attracting new customers for you and the relationship you build with them is vital to the future and success of any eCommerce company.
At the same time, loyalty programs are no longer enough — make that little extra effort to let your customers know they’re special by sending them little gifts on their birthday.
7. “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
Just like the Godfather himself, it’s important to be compelling. Make your sales strategy bulletproof and approach your target group with irresistible offers. Show them the human side of your business model and always engage them — nobody can tell you what your customers want except themselves. When you get the hang of the personal connection, the rest is a piece of cak.. sorry, cannoli. Once you’ve hooked a customer this way, they’ll be your friend forever.
8. “Our ships must all sail in the same direction.”
Always have a vision that will define you and your company. This one is important not just for your customers (you sell them the story), but also for your employees and investors who will be gratified to see their own value and your value to them. Most importantly, a solid and decisive vision helps to keep all elements of your business — from production to shipping — sailing in the same direction.
9. “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
Pretty simple, and you probably knew this one was coming. At the end of the day, we still have to slap on some elbow grease and get the job done. The dirty work is just a part of the job and even though it might necessary to go to the mattresses sometimes, the perseverance is what pays off in the long run. Enjoy your cannoli.
10. “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”
And finally, your online store isn’t the whole universe, is it? Try to get out of it every once in a while and look around. And while you should never forget your “work family”, having a solid divide between your career and your personal life is a no brainer. As we’ve already been told, a business is just a business, and missing out on the rest of life doesn’t cut it — don’t be afraid to know when to go home or ask for help.
Whatever else The Godfather Trilogy represents, it does give us the basis for some important life and work decisions, from knowing our limits and capitalizing on the loyalty we engender in others — be it fellow colleagues, a boss, or customers — to understanding the importance of showing strength and persevering. And while you can thankfully never have to worry about waking up with a horse head in bed, if movies have taught us anything it’s that real-life in the business world can be a lot stranger than fiction!
