Michael Franzese does a great job of keeping this book of only 149 pages light in reading but filled with several gems that can be used regardless of what business you are in. Michael draws upon the wisdom of Solomon as well, and as he does that you just know it is going to be good. Michael talks about in his book (and I must say that I agree as well) how many mob executives who succeed in the business of organized crime would have been equally successful in the boardrooms and business offices of corporate America. Michael spends some time making it clear that he is not for crime, he actually says: “..Crime at any level has no place in our socisety, and I know better than most. It’s destructive, immoral, and harmful to innocent people. And don’t fool yourself: You cannot get away with criminal activity in this country. Not in the long run.”
There were a few areas and advice or insights that stuck out to me such as:
1. Give up the thought of a magic formula that will guarantee your success. There are no shortcuts to success. All the infomercials that promise to give you the 10 steps to wealth beyond your dreams are false advertising. When some claim to give you their top secrets to their fame and success, do you really think that let’s say Trump would give away his secrets? Or Bill Gates?
2. Having a clear focus plan for your business is crucial-one based on a simple organizing principle and purpose…Have measurable, specific outcomes, and determine the route you must take to get there.
3. “Cut to the Chase”. Eliminate the clutter.
And there were many more as well. But as you can see from above any of that advice minus his personal stories of how it relates to mob bosses, this could and should be followed by anyone in any business. And as it leaves you with some parting advice, I want to use part of that advice to close this off as well.
” Don’t allow you business to infringe upon the quality of your life-yours or your family’s. The continuous pursuit of wealth and prestige always adds a sour taste to life….There is no secret. There are no gaurantees. You know the drill. Get a plan and work a plan around it. Get the right sort of people to help you execute your plan. Play smart and play it ethically. The rest is up to God and the market (and don’t confusing those two).
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