What on earth could someone in legitimate business learn from a former mafia capo? Apparently, quite a bit. In Ill Make You An Offer You Cant Refuse, Michael Franzese writes about how the lessons learned from conducting mob business can be applied in todays business environment. He rightly points out the goal of both is to make money, the difference is in how it the goal will be accomplished. Franzese pits the philosophies of Machiavelli (the Mafia way) and King Solomon of Israel. The advice given is very practical. From streamlining meandering business meetings to resemble Mafia sit downs where everyone knows the agenda and follows it to guarding against losing company funds to gambling addictions. Franzeses style is very matter of fact and he makes it clear he does not advocate or condone any of the illegal or unethical behavior of his former lifestyle.With his focus now clarified, the author makes it clear the true measure of success goes well beyond the bottom line. I would recommend this book to anyone in business, considering going into business or in any leadership capacity. (I reviewed this book as a member of Thomas Nelsons Book Review Blogger Program www.brb.thomasnelson.com)

I had to choose this book for my husband to read because he is a fan of Mob movies and books. Also, I was curious as to how this book ended up in the hands of Thomas Nelson. Here is what my husband had to say about this book I like this book because of the simplicity of the business practices that were used by the Mob in running a successful business. It is like reading a book about good versus evil, where good always triumphs over the latter. Each technique is talked about and demonstrated by the Mob and how this same principle is used with successful business men today. It uses the comparisons of Machiavelli a sixteenth-century Italian philosopher and King Solomon of the Bible. As a business man myself, I have always been challenged to be profitable. This book outlines good character practices viewed as one that takes the low road and the one that takes the high road with both being successful in their world. However, in the end, crime doesn't pay - just ask Michael Franzese.

I thoroughly enjoyed this easy-to-read, up-to-date, nonfiction book, which is chock full of good business advice offered with anecdotes and quotes from Machiavelli, Solomon, as well as mobsters. Humorous Italian references ring true; mafia background information is fascinating to read.The author compares the Machiavellian philosophy of "the end justifying the means" with Solomon's advice from Proverbs, which he clearly favors. This is no ordinary self-help business book. For instance, Chapter six, "Master the Art of the Sit-Down" gives good business advice about incorporating the mob's art of conducting a sit-down while using Solomon's advice. Any one in business would do well to master this chapter.At the end of each chapter, the author sums up his major points with a "Get The Message" list.Innovative ideaThis is a NelsonFree book. Once the book is purchased, the owner can download an audio MP3 file and several types of e-book files, including EPub, MobiPocket, and PDF. For more information, click here. I tried it out. I downloaded one chapter at a time. It was quite simple and took less than two minutes. I can see that someone might download a chapter to "read" while driving to work, or download the entire book to "read" while traveling. With this innovative method, readers can read wherever they choose.

If you want to improve your leadership ability theres a lot you can learn from a former mobster.I just finished reading Ill make you an offer you cant refuse by Michael Franzese which was written as a book of business tips but had quite a lot to say about running a family as well (pun intended). In my opinion its a must read.Michael Franzese was at one time listed in the top 5 biggest mob bosses in the country by Forbes magazine so Im guessing the fact that hes selling a book and not buried in concrete means he knows what hes talking about.The obvious question? What possible similarities can there be in running the mob, and leading a family? The sometimes not so obvious answer? Leadership must possess certain qualities and adhere to certain philosophies that increase the odds of success in any family .Some examples from the book Emotional connection will get more cooperation long-term than a lead pipe beating.If youre up and working at the crack of dawn youll never get shot in your pajamas!Have a fair and impartial consigliore (adviser) not someone who will flatter you just to get ahead. Operating your family under the end justifies the means philosophy is a double edged sword that can destroy a lifetime of effort in mere minutes.Look and learn before you leap. Never put your mouth before your brain.How to master the art of the sit-down (Ive used these tips for some awesome conversations with my teenager!)Failure can sometimes be the best guarantee of future success.It shouldnt take a horses head to convince you.You gonna earn the right to lead by being a sucker and not reading this book? Fuggedaboutit! Get the book!P.S. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to review this book.

The author draws on his own personal experience and the experiences of others to comment on what works and what does not in the business world and in life. At the end of each chapter, there is a summary of sorts, entitled Get the Message wherein the author repeats the main points from that chapter in list format. Throughout the book, Franzese makes comparisons using references to, and quotes from, two historical figures with very different perspectives - Machiavelli and King Solomon. He asserts that people cannot conduct business following both of these examples, but rather they must choose one or the other. Near the end of the book, there is a series of five questions, wherein the reader can test themselves on points addressed earlier in the book, in order to determine if they tend to respond more like Machiavelli or King Solomon. I recently read this book as part of Thomas Nelsons Book Review Blogger program, and found it to be straight-forward and written in an easy-going style, at a level appropriate for most readers. While I wouldnt consider it a page-turner, it was certainly readable and applicable to all people, even those not particularly interested in business as a profession. There is a good mix of points made and corresponding examples from the mob life provided, and the connection between the two is easy to understand and does not seem forced or contrived. Its clear from the beginning that the author believes there is no success apart from working hard, but at the same time, he warns against work becoming your life. What is shared on the issues of integrity and honesty, as well as his advice on the importance of listening and thinking before speaking is beneficial for everyone. http://www.thomasnelson.dev/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785261842&title=I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse&authors=Michael-Franzesehttp://brb.thomasnelson.com/