Archive View (July 2005)

Commanding Officer, NYPD Hostage Negotiation TeamDonald Trump's business wisdom has definite correlations to police work, especially the highly specialized field of hostage negotiation. Aphorisms of his that resonate with those of us on the hostage negotiation team are: Go with your gutWork with people you likeSet the standardThink positively Go against the tideMr. Trump's sayings represent a call to action, but they're also ideals. The problem in applying these guidelines occurs when we introduce the interpersonal element. For example, people generally go into negotiations with a preconceived notion of how they would like them to turn out. Often, they find that more...

Director of Communications, Trump UniversityDonald Trump is the colossus of the New York City skyline. He stands astride the buildings that bear his name--his signature branded on the cityscape. Mr. Trump is doing all right, and he's not afraid to tell you so. But there's something else going on, something that distinguishes him from every other billionaire, and sets him apart from the hordes of business drones. It's showmanship. That's been Donald Trump's ace in the hole for years--his Trump card, as it were. It's not just some quirk or personal signature; it really is part of his strategy for success, more...

President, Trump UniversityTrump University was conceived as a business that would be totally responsive to its customers, treating each one according to his or her needs. This idea of one-to-one marketing is part of the company's overarching concept and forms the basis of its operating philosophy: our success is defined by our customers' success. Since launching in late May it has become evident to everyone--our customers, our employees, and me--that this is no idle boast. We have, in fact, implemented a number of tactics and procedures that convincingly show we are adapting to our customers' ever-changing needs. To be customer-driven, a more...

Donald Trump has long had a high profile, but only recently, with the popularity of The Apprentice, has he assumed the dimensions of a folk hero. To his audience, he is a potent symbol of the American dream, a towering icon of success. "Ask Mr. Trump," a feature on the Trump University website, reveals the various segments of America and the world in which his message of success resonates deeply. Every week, hundreds of people send questions to the site. Aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world solicit his advice on how to get ahead, how to be successful, what makes more...

Chairman, Trump Universitytrump n: 1. a. A suit in card games that outranks all other suits for the duration of a hand. b. A card of such a suit. c. A trump card. 2. A key resource to be used at an opportune moment. 3. Informal A reliable or admirable person.On July 12 I will be breaking ground on the Trump International Hotel & Tower. Starting a new building is always a big deal, but this one is particularly special. It represents my first real estate foray into Las Vegas, and it's the fulfillment of a dream. Also, this event announces more...

Chairman, Trump UniversityI'd be lying if I said I don't think about my legacy. The values I hold true and the buildings I've put up are intended to carry beyond the here and now; I want them to survive well past my own time on earth. I'm particularly interested in my legacy as an educator, which is part of the reason I started Trump University. I relish the idea that this venture will help to shape future generations of entrepreneurs and business managers. I believe the knowledge and experience I've acquired after many years in business are applicable beyond my own more...