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Most people probably think the dull, buttoned up business world shouldn’t make great movie fodder. The thing is, business is dramatic, exciting and influences our lives like nothing else. With Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps and the Social Network out this year, business movies are proving again that they can be just as exciting and engaging as movies centered around explosions and scantily clad women (ahem... Michael Bay... ahem).

Movies can teach every entrepreneur a lot of great lessons about how the world works as well. While most movies are just intended to be entertaining, there are some great ideas in them, and the espouse some of the most profound business truths out there. Doubtful? Here are CMAEON’s top five business lessons we learned from movies.

1. Office Space - Creativity and boredom are a terrifyingly powerful combination

Mike Judge’s 1999 movie Office Space was originally a box-office disappointment, but went on to become a cult favorite. The plot centres around Peter Gibbons, a depressed and annoyed computer programmer who exacts revenge against his poorly managed, idiotic company and accidentally steals hundreds of thousands of dollars in a revenge plot. He gets away with it because another employee burns down the office before his fraud can be uncovered. While Office Space is a low key comedy, the lessons within it are important. Keep your employees motivated and challenged to make them feel appreciated. While a bored and disaffected employee probably won’t set fire to your building or steal hundreds of thousands of dollars, they’re probably not working to their full capacity either.

2. Glengarry Glen Ross - Customers are more than leads

The 1992 adaption of David Mamet’s play of the same name follows a group of salesmen as they try to sell real estate, some sad-sack, some ruthless and all underhanded. In their incredible rush to sell, the salesmen lie to their leads, push them into deals they’re not comfortable with and generally act like terrible people. In the end, all of the deals fall through. Maybe if they had treated the customers as more than leads they would have formed meaningful relationships and actually sold something.

3. Legally Blonde - Set your goals high and reach for the top

Clever Elle Woods never lets people’s opinions of her get her down. While she originally decides to go to law school to win back an old flame, the plan to get in and become a lawyer is so over the top and outrageous that most people refuse to take her seriously. Of course, at the end of the movie Elle is a talented lawyer with a job offer at a prestigious firm, and her doubters have nothing to show for themselves. Legally blonde has taught us that if you have a goal, and you’re serious about succeeding, nothing can stand in your way. Life is about taking risks and reaching for the top, so get out there and do it!

4. It’s a Wonderful Life - Lead by example. Integrity always wins the day

This movie is so well known, we don’t need to give you the plot rundown. George Bailey lives his life with integrity, always putting the needs of others above himself. When he gets down and depressed, thanks to Clarence he truly realizes what his selfless deeds have done for his family and his community, and the people he’s built lasting relationships with rally around him for support. George shows us that being a good leader isn’t just about making decisions he leads by example and works to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved - family, community or company.

5. James Bond - Talking, networking and knowing are important

So, this isn’t so much a specific James Bond movie as it is all James Bond movies, but it’s still applicable. James Bond is a super spy because he can find out all the information he needs. Sure he gets help from Q and Ms. Moneypenny, but in every James Bond movie, he’s out talking to old acquaintances and contacts, being tipped off to new developments and meeting new people. While the average entrepreneur might not be involved in high stakes espionage, networking is important. You never know if the next person you meet could connect you to a hot lead or sales prospect.