[Nick R]

Breaking New Ground: Trump’s Success Factors


“What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate,” says Trump. He has reacted to the twists and turns in his life with optimism, becoming CEO of the largest privately held company in New York, with over 22,000 employees and estimated revenues in excess of $10 billion. What did he use to get ahead?

Ferocity: “What I admire most are people who put themselves directly on the line,” says Trump. Never one to back away from a challenge, Trump was aggressive and unforgiving in making his business deals. Even if it were costly and difficult and risky, Trump would continue to fight to get the best terms he could. And, he would settle for nothing less.

Passion: “I don’t make deals for the money,” says Trump. “I’ve got enough, much more than I’ll ever need. I do it to do it.” Trump’s love affair with real estate began at an early age and never diminished. Having passion for his work is the only thing that kept Trump going despite the personal failure of divorce, bankruptcy and failed deals. To those wondering how to balance both work and pleasure, Trump says to stop wondering. Instead, he advises to “make your work more pleasurable.”

Idealism: “I wasn't satisfied just to earn a good living,” says Trump. “I was looking to make a statement.” The Trump Organization has become synonymous with luxury, lavishness, class and extravagance. It didn’t get that way by following its competitors. It got that way because Trump was not afraid to think big, to do what hadn’t been done before and in a way that many couldn’t even imagine. His ability to blur the line between fantasy and reality helped push Trump’s company into a league above the rest.

Perception: “Watch, listen, and learn,” advises Trump. Indeed, Trump’s success came about largely as a result of his own ability to observe others and thereby learn how to manipulate their actions. By convincing others they could not do without him, Trump truly refined the deal-making process into an art. It was by mastering this art that Trump was able to rise to the top of his game.

Instinct: “It pays to trust your instincts,” says Trump and in his case, it paid off remarkably well. When sellers, banks, consultants and even friends were telling him one thing, Trump knew he had to go with his gut. By having confidence in himself and the courage to follow through, Trump was able to make difficult and risky decisions when others might have simply given way to the pressure.

Trump’s instincts are now worth over $2 billion but he has no plans of retiring, saying, “Anyone who thinks my story is anywhere near over is sadly mistaken.” The Trump Organization is still expanding, with a revenue growth of 22% between 2004-05 and Trump continues to demonstrate his ability to draw a good hand, pulling out the Trump card every time.

[matt_au]

I have read all Donalds books.

They are great.

[faint]

I am an admirer of D.T. although a lot of people have mixed feelings I guess.. A lot of my friends dont like him for his personality and ways but I admire him for his directness and bravery when it comes to business.
Certainly a man who knows how to run things.

[Josephian]

Originally Posted by matt_au

I have read all Donalds books.

They are great.

whats the best one?

[Chatlet]

I am reading right now one of Trump's books "Thinking big and kick ass". I like his very articulate way of expressing his ideas.
Quotes:

• As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, think big.

• If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.

• Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you're generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.

[faint]

strong quotes from a strong man..my busy working schedule currently doesnt allow time to read but im planning on getting a couple of his books and taking my time reading them

[LiveWise]

He has a book out that he co-wrote with another sucessful businessman that I have been wanting to read. I just haven't got it...yet. The title is something like "Why We Want You To Be Rich." There are many books out there on trying to help a person become wealthier--over 100,000 of them. I find that if they make the New York Best Seller list, they are probably worth reading.

[faint]

there's a lot of those type of books that are a little short of scams, but I trust Donald Trump because he doesnt tell u what to do like all these other ones and ebooks on ebay and stuff but rather motivates you and shares his ideas.

[Fred333]

I have enjoyed reading his books. They have some good knowledge in them.

[RLorenzen]

I am a big fan of Donald Trump. I have read all of his books and have been to a few of his buildings. Donald Trump's book "Surviving At The Top" is what first got me interested in business. I took my first business classes at Trump University. He also recently gave me a signed copy of Trump Magazine.

[tecneek]

yup, he is a genius in what he does, nobody can deny that!

[byzantium]

The book Why We Want You To Be Rich is written with wealth guru Robert Kiyosaki. I read it and it has some valuable insights (Trump talks about his parents and formative experiences and says that when collecting rent you should step to the side of the door so you won't get shot-Fred Trump owned some tough buildings, fortunately his son doesn't) but it also has a long section dealing with woe is me stuff on how Social Security is failing and the government is bankrupt.

Kiyosaki seems to be preying on the fears of boomers quite a lot, writing book after book on how the government is failing and won't be around to support people in retirement. For people our age (I'm 32) it's like DUH! but apparently this sort of thing really keeps 60 year olds up at night, and sells books. The fear thing tends to turn a lot of younger people off though. (Kiyosaki was born in 1947, and Trump is about the same age.) You can't really scare people into action, there has to be more than just fear.

To us, we know that SS is toast, so we plan accordingly. The boomers were too busy smoking weed and working corporate to consider that the system was unsustainable, so now they're panicking, and wondering what they'll do. I'm not saying change is impossible when you're 60, but you can't go from corner office to entrepreneur that easily when you've been working corporate for 30 years. Anyway, I found that much of the rest of the book was a worthwhile read, and it seems to have less of Trump tooting his horn than the all-Trump books.

As for what I think about Trump, I admire his fearlessness, although his ostentatious lifestyle just isn't me. But Trump is his own brand, and the way he lives is really more of a marketing ploy than anything-the average guy would love to live like that, so he pays attention to what Trump says and does, which is exactly what Trump wants. Of the adult kids (excluding Barron, who is one year old), I think Ivanka is most like Donald-she thrives on fame. The sons seem more low key. I think she will get the empire when it's time, although Donald will likely attempt to work as long as he's able. I figure he's got another 20 years before his memory will get so bad that he has to step into an emeritus role and allow Ivanka to take over.

[Cognition]

Donald Trump and the founder of the Learning Annex, Bill Zanker, co-authored a new book entitled, "Think Big and Kick Ass".

More information about the new release here.

[BusinessAdviser]

For what it's worth, all of Donald Trump's books that I've gotten my hands on have been good reads. I recommend them highly.

[Cognition]

"Donald Trump. When you hear that name, do you think blow-hard, cad, an annoying man whose wealth makes him hard to ignore? Me, too. Certainly, the word munificent doesn't come to mind. Therefore, the report of his generosity toward a Hollywood waiter took me by surprise. It appears that Mr. Trump, when not humiliating apprentices, is capable of some very nice actions, such as tipping like a king."

More of this article, here.