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Silver Screen Similarities: Your Favorite Money Quotes, Applied to Business

business.com editorial staff
business.com editorial staff
business.com Member
Aug 24, 2015

For the times when you relate to movies more than your co-workers, here are the top movie quotes that apply to business.

Are you the type of person who enjoys a good movie? Do you like kicking back, putting your feet up, and watching the scene unfold on the big screen?

Some people watch movies to laugh. Others watch them to cry. And of course, there are those, such as business owners, who can’t help but relate every movie to their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Classic movie lines have a way of living on forever. They are repeated, time after time. They are applied to everyday life.

If you are a movie lover and business-minded professional, these quotes will be hard to shake from your mind:

The Godfather

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. - The Godfather

When this line was uttered in The Godfather in 1972, there was no way of knowing that it would become one of the top movie quotes of all time.

Salespeople can identify with this famous quote by Don Corleone. When you make an offer a prospect can’t refuse, the deal is as good as done. Enough said!

On the Waterfront

You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.

I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody!  On the waterfrontImage via Reddit

You have probably heard this quote in some form, and as an entrepreneur it should resonate. Everybody has the chance to be somebody special. You have the opportunity to take your business to new heights.

The real question is: will you be a contender in your industry or let the opportunity slide away?

The Wizard of Oz

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

Ah yes, you know the feeling. The room starts spinning, and everything is spiraling out of control and you feel that your business life will never be the same. There will be times when you are removed from your comfort zone.

When this happens, you can grab the bull by the horns, like Dorothy, or you can sit and sulk. Which path will you take?

All About Eve

Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.

All about even fasten your seatbelts it's going to be a bumpy night

Go back in time to 1950 and All About Eve was all the rage. This quote pertains to the business world in many ways. You can’t expect rainbows and butterflies all the time. You are going to face many challenges along the way, some of which will have you rethinking your career decision. All you can do is fasten your seatbelt, get ready for the ride, and take each bump one at a time.

White Heat

Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

Made It, Ma! Top of the World! White Heat

There is nothing quite like the feeling of reaching a lofty business goal. Maybe you landed a key client. Maybe you made your first million. Maybe you were acquired. When you finally make it to the top of the world, remember this famous line from White Heat.

Network

I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!

I'm as man as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore

Are you tired of being nothing more than a corporate yes man? Have you taken all the abuse you can stand?

Once you are mad as hell, and you realize that now is the time to make a change, you will find yourself on the path to bigger and better things. If things aren’t going right, get mad and make a change.

Cool Hand Luke

What we've got here is failure to communicate.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate

Uttered by both Luke, played by Paul Newman, and the warden, this movie quote is timeless. If you want to achieve success in the business world, communication is a must. Continue down the wrong path and you may find yourself in the same position as Luke (and that is not a place you want to be).

The Wizard of Oz

There's no place like home.

There's no place like home. The Wizard of Oz

Dorothy finds herself on the list once again, this time with her quote “there’s no place like home.” There is nothing wrong with dedicating yourself to business success. In fact, it takes an extreme amount of dedication to reach your goals and realize your dreams. Even so, you can’t forget about the other side of your life. The personal side. After all, there truly is no place like home.

Jerry Maguire

Show me the money!

Show Me the Money

From a business perspective, there aren’t many movie quotes that are more telling. You may not be a professional sports player or agent, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t chasing the big bucks. Go into the office every day with this quote in mind. It will get you pumped.

A Few Good Men

You can't handle the truth!

You can't handle the truth. A Few Good Men

In all facets of life, there are truths, and there are lies. Can you pinpoint the difference? More importantly, can you handle the truth? If you can’t handle the truth, good or bad, you won’t reach your full potential.

Gone With the Wind

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

frankly my dear i don't give a damn

You may not be Rhett Butler, but you can learn something from his famous quote in Gone with the Wind. Sometimes in business, you have to let yourself go. You have to say “I don’t give a damn” and let things happen on their own. It’s tough to take this stance, but it can make you a better entrepreneur in the long run.

Field of Dreams

If you build it, he will come.

If you build it, he will come. Field of Dreams

It is a misconception that simply starting a company will lead to success. Sure, you can build it, but that doesn’t mean they will come. You need to do more than build it. You need to sell it, market it, and make it your life.

Forrest Gump

My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

Life is like a box of chocolates Forrest gump

You knew it was coming, right? Forrest Gump is the “king of quotes” and this one was his best. Just like a box of chocolates, the business world is full of twists and turns. No matter how hard you try, you never know what you are going to get. The next time life throws you a curve, think of Forrest Gump sitting on that bus stop bench.

Image Credit: utwhanfoto / Getty Images
business.com editorial staff
business.com editorial staff
business.com Member
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