The Trump Blog

For many months the façade of Trump Tower facing Fifth Avenue has been under wraps, while Gucci redesigned the former Asprey space into its own. As of today, the wrapping has come off and I can say that it was well worth the wait. They’ve done a spectacular job, inside and out, and when you come to NYC and visit Trump Tower, I think you’ll agree. I know Mr. Trump is pleased with the results, and the ribbon-cutting celebration will be in a few days.

In reviewing upcoming events, I’d like to mention a very worthy cause, which is Autism Speaks. They are having a major fundraising event at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach on March 30^th. Lionel Richie will perform and it’s a perfect setting for a concert as well as a fundraiser. Mr. Trump is very generous when it comes to lending his time and properties for good causes. He is the sponsor for this event, and former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw will serve as emcee.

Mr. Trump’s book with Robert Kiyosaki from October of 2006 has just appeared in paperback. If you didn’t have a chance to pick up a copy of Why We Want You To Be Rich in hardback, now is the time to read up on some very timely financial advice from these two advocates of financial education. It also comes with a DVD that features a conversation with Mr. Trump and Mr. Kiyosaki.

Considering that this is a big week politically, I was reminded of a question that was posed to Mr. Trump recently. The interviewer asked him if he were President, what would he do to improve the US image abroad and help to better negotiate with other countries. His answer was concise and insightful. He mentioned that part of successful negotiation includes knowing where the other side is coming from, which has sometimes been a blind spot in the US--people here have limited knowledge of the world and world history. He emphasized the importance of being aware of other cultures, and in making an effort to learn about them. It’s not only respectful but in the today’s world, it’s necessary.

Those are some thoughts to give heed to, regardless of your political beliefs. Knowledge is power. Open yourself up to learning about the world, and your place in it will become increasingly clear. Devote time to learning every day, and checking in with Trump University is easy enough. Don’t keep your higher education under wraps any longer than necessary, and you’ll find success might be moving in sooner than expected. A productive February to all!

So far, the New Year has been shaping up very well. The Celebrity Apprentice season started off as the #1 show on Thursday night, and word has it that it’s sharp, funny and insightful. I thought so when I saw it earlier, and realized it must be good if the hour zipped by as quickly as it did, but it’s nice to have back-up opinions that are similar. We’re looking forward to a great season, and we hope you are too. Don Jr., Ivanka and George Ross are back as Mr. Trump’s advisors.

Later this month, Mr. Trump’s new book, Never Give Up, will be released. We worked on this book over an eight-month period, compiling stories of the challenges he’s met with just about everything he’s done. We thought people would like to know about some of the obstacles he’s faced in the course of his career, which includes relocating tortoises in Florida, finding a skeleton at a development site in New York, getting stuck on a boat circling Manhattan all night, and rebuilding a golf course after a landslide in California. It helps if your name is Trump, but that doesn’t mean everything is easy, and this book will inspire you to keep going and to never give up. We will be giving you some previews on the Trump U site soon.

One thing that revs up when The Apprentice is on the air is the amount of media appearances by Mr. Trump. His schedule has been OTT - over-the-top - but he hasn’t missed a beat of his regular schedule. Next to your never give up attitude should be discipline - the discipline of keeping your focus no matter what is going on around you. That’s one thing I’ve learned from watching Mr. Trump in action - he keeps his focus intact and doesn’t neglect anything that needs his attention. That in itself is inspiring. Sometimes I think I’m busy until I look at the piles on his desk and see him sitting there patiently and intently reading everything while I slip out when my day is over. He often stays past 8:00 p.m. to catch up and every time he travels, he takes several boxes full of work with him.

Maybe you’ve seen the new ads for the Trump Hotel Collection: The Next Generation. The ads emphasize the architecture which is a good choice - every hotel is distinctive as well as spectacular. The development team, with principals Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump, has been tremendously busy and their efforts are being seen globally. The locations and hotels are fantastic and it’s exciting to watch this collection move forward in such an elegant and dynamic way.

That’s the early January report from the front office, and we hope your New Year will prove to be a great one. Keeping up with the doings at Trump University will definitely point you in the right direction for that to happen. Happy New Year!

We’ve all heard Mr. Trump discuss the importance of establishing yourself and then defending yourself. One seems to follow the other - once you become successful, it’s great, but you also become a target. I’ve been around long enough to know that Mr. Trump follows the advice he gives others - if they come after you, you have to go after them. Most of time it’s simply to set the record straight when the facts seem to escape the grasp of journalists and other people with the tools to damage your business and reputation.

A couple of weeks ago an article came out in The Wall Street Journal that was definitely of the “cup half empty” variety versus the “cup half full” philosophy. The writer was reviewing the situation of real estate developments with Mr. Trump and The Trump Organization, in which he mentions two small projects in Florida and the big building going up in Chicago, the Trump International Hotel & Tower. The title of the article was “Stalled Condo Projects Tarnish Trump’s Name,” published November 16. Regarding Chicago, the article says that the building has 30% left to sell. There are two years left to go until completion, which means that an unfinished building is 70% sold, an enviable position to be in. How things are stated can definitely present an obvious skew.

The two Florida projects that were mentioned because they were having problems are licensing deals. Mr. Trump is not the developer. But the writer focused on those two projects instead of the particularly significant facts that are amazing considering the state of real estate and financing today. So what Mr. Trump did was to write a letter to The Wall Street Journal that listed the facts, which they published, and when you compare the article to the letter, it becomes very obvious that he was presented in an inaccurate light.

For example, Mr. Trump asks why certain large projects are not included in the article - or why the apartment in his Trump World Tower that sold last week for $34 million wasn’t mentioned. His tower in Waikiki was 100% sold out, with $729 million in sales in less than five hours, which is a record. His tower in Las Vegas is already sold out with sales over $1 billion, and the SoHo tower has received over 4,500 applications for just 400 units. These facts were ignored.

Another good point Mr. Trump brought to their attention, and which was printed, is best said exactly as he wrote it:

In spite of the many daily trade publications, including yours, that are constantly referring to this as one of the worst credit crunches in years, and in an environment when no developers are getting financing for their jobs, we have successfully secured financing within the last three months for our Trump International Hotel & Tower in Toronto, Trump SoHo and Trump International Hotel & Tower in Panama. Those facts are a testament to the strength of the Trump name and brand within the financial community.

The Wall Street Journal was responsive and professional in their handling of this situation, and the facts were brought to the reader. It took time and effort on Mr. Trump’s part, but it was the right thing to do. That’s something to remember that when you have a name and brand to protect. It’s called setting the record straight, pure and simple. So keep the facts in mind whenever you are attacked. Sometimes they are the only weapons you’ll need.

Note from the editor: This post contains links to letters and articles in the Wall Street Journal.  Please be advised that before you can open and read them, you may be asked to register on that site or to subscribe to The Wall Street Journal online.  The Wall Street Journal is not affiliated with Trump University.

As predicted, this was going to be a busy month, and it has started that way. The Apprentice filming is in full swing, and that means early mornings and late nights for Mr. Trump, as well as for Ivanka and Don Jr. Mr. Trump is accustomed to an over-the-top schedule, and the office has proceeded seamlessly despite this added activity. Having the Mark Burnett team back is almost like getting back to normal in some ways, which says a lot for their expertise. Not too many places can absorb a television show being in process with hardly a ripple felt by anyone, but the Trump/Burnett connection has always clicked.

One day last week was stacked with so many people and meetings that a landing pattern formed just outside Mr. Trump’s office. Employees who need to see him will usually come to the front office, then sort of hang out and survey the competition. Who’s in his office now? Will it be a long meeting? Then, who’s next? Is he on the phone now? Who has a priority issue? Who was here first? Who will be permitted a crash landing? (Those with a deadline, for example.)

This congestion can lend itself to catch-up time for people from different floors, for briefing others on what is happening in their territory. I’m fortunate in that I’m close to his office, so I have the advantage of darting in when the coast is clear. But I learn a lot of things I wouldn’t otherwise know when these patterns emerge.

For example, the big, new state-of-the-art conference room opened on the floor below awhile ago, but I still hadn’t seen it. This floor is the work of Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric, and it’s elegant, sophisticated and very efficient - very much a reflection of their personalities in fact. After hearing the buzz about the conference room while hovering by their father’s door, I made a point to go down and see it. Not surprisingly, it’s fantastic.

Thinking of the patience and timing involved while dealing with the landing pattern outside of Mr. Trump’s office gave me the idea for this blog. Sometimes people call us and ask for a “weather report” before they venture to the front office, meaning is it fair weather, or would it be better to wait awhile? It can be tough going here sometimes, considering everything that is going on. It’s a form of doing your homework before plunging in. Everyone has important issues, but it’s the wise thing to test the waters first.

The same is true for your own endeavors - take the time to develop the patience for a strategy that respects your time as well as the time of those around you. It’s a form of efficiency that is effective for everyone, and appreciated by everyone, especially very busy people - and who isn’t busy these days? It’s a business technique that I’ve learned from watching Mr. Trump in action. He is extremely efficient and has a respect for time - and timing - that is remarkable. It may be an innate ability for him, but it’s something I think we can all learn to some extent. It’s a great business lesson - and it comes down to paying attention.

That’s pretty simple, if not easy, and it’s something we can all do, or aspire to do. So give that some thought and maybe someday people will be hovering outside of your door. Just make sure they understand the landing pattern!

October promises to be an eventful month here at Trump Tower. On October 16^th, Mr. Trump’s new book, Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life will launch nationwide. This book was written with Bill Zanker, the dynamic founder of The Learning Annex, who credits Mr. Trump with showing him how to think big--and  the success he has had with The Learning Annex is evidence that it works. Mr. Trump has been a speaker with The Learning Annex for several years and he regularly draws 50,000 people to his wealth expo speeches.

Back in 2004, Mr. Trump and Robert Kiyosaki met while they were both featured speakers at The Learning Annex. Their book Why We Want You To Be Rich was launched last year at this time, and the paperback version will be released in January of 2008. You may have noticed Mr. Kiyosaki’s blogs on Trump University Online--they are always worth your time, so give them your full attention.

This week we are welcoming back to Trump Tower the Mark Burnett crew for The Apprentice. Ivanka and Don Jr. will again be featured, along with Mr. Trump, and we are happy that a new season of boardroom drama will be coming your way in 2008.

Eric Trump held his inaugural Eric Trump Foundation golf invitational at Trump National Golf Club in Westchester last month, which benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Eric Trump Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children battling life-threatening medical conditions. A few of the sponsors included JetBlue Airways, BMW, Nikegolf and the Robb Report. The day was a resounding success and we’re looking forward to more great work from Eric’s foundation.

October is also the month when the Doodle for Hunger auction takes place at Tavern on the Green in New York City. This has become a big event, and each year Mr. Trump does a doodle and signs it, along with a lot of other people including Sting, Valentino, Al Pacino, Woody Allen, and Barbra Streisand, and then these mini masterpieces are auctioned off at a party. Good fun for everyone, and the hungry of New York are given a helping hand by the Capuchin Food Pantries. I usually stop by and the energy and goodwill of the participants and the Capuchin crew is something to look forward to every fall.

Mr. Trump went to Scotland recently, where his Trump International Golf Links/Scotland is underway. This will be an incredible destination for golfers, as it is on 1400 acres with over three miles of oceanfront and will include two 18 hole links golf courses. Mr. Trump’s mother was from Scotland, and considering Mr. Trump’s passion for golf and Scotland’s heritage in golf history, it was a great idea from the get go. However, being thorough by nature, Mr. Trump looked at sites in Europe for five years before deciding on the right place, which was the Menie Estate and Menie House, less than 15 miles from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. George Sorial of the Trump Organization is managing the project, and it’s fitting that George’s mother was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis, where Mr. Trump’s mother grew up.

Fall seems to be falling into place at Trump Tower, and I hope yours will be equally productive. Until next time, work hard and don’t forget to think big. It works!

It wasn’t too long ago that I was telling you about the early days when The Apprentice was shot here in Trump Tower and around New York. I was saying that we missed the team when they left, which was true. The good news is that they’re coming back--The Apprentice will be shooting here starting in October. That means a lot of extra activity but it also means good energy. We’re looking forward to having them back.

September always seems like a New Year to me, probably because that’s when the new school year started. It’s a great feeling, and I hope you feel a bit the same way as students of Trump University. It’s a good time to get those goals in order and to focus seriously on what you’re hoping to accomplish. Hope is important, but putting it into action is what will separate you from the dreaming masses.

That’s one thing I’ve noticed about Mr. Trump that serves as a daily reminder to me. He doesn’t stop. It doesn’t matter how much he’s accomplished in one day, he’ll still be at it at 6 p.m., checking out his properties, making and taking calls, going through piles of mail and documents, and getting all the details in order. I will say that is something that impressed me from day one and still manages to impress me. It has improved my own discipline and power of focus too.

I mention this to you because having an example to follow is a good way to learn. You may not have Mr. Trump around, but in relaying this information to you, I hope it will be an inspiration. Last week after a late and very demanding day, I heard him pick up and the phone and call someone in California about the trees on his property in Palos Verdes at The Trump National Golf Club. He spoke to several people about the trees, and went into great detail about them. I turned to a colleague who heard these conversations as well, and we both said at the same time, “He never stops!” He still manages to surprise us.

The ever-unfolding Trump empire includes a launch this month of Ivanka Trump’s new signature line of jewelry. She has a beautiful boutique at Madison Avenue and 62^nd Street in case you visit the city. It’s worth a visit. I stopped by last night and it’s fantastic. You can see that certain things run in the family--Ivanka is directly involved in 33 real estate projects around the globe and yet she manages to start her own line of jewelry anyway!

Also on the horizon is the opening of the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago. The hotel is due to open this December, and the entire building is slated to be finished by spring of 2009. This has been a tremendous job, and Don Jr. has been on it from the start. It’s a gorgeous building.

We had a special event on September 11^th in Trump Tower. Mr. Trump and The Trump Organization hosts The September Concert each year, which was founded on the first anniversary of 9/11 with the message of peace through music. The goal is to bring people together, to reaffirm a hope for peace and to celebrate life--and that’s exactly what it does. This concert now appears in 40 international cities, and in 60 U.S. cities, including over 110 concerts in New York City. Eric Trump introduces the event and the performers, and Mr. Trump, Don Jr., and Ivanka are present along with members of The Trump Organization as well as the public. This has been a very successful concept and it’s a great example of how an idea--or a dream--can become reality. The Trump Organization congratulates the founder, Haruko Smith, and the Vice Chairman, Veronica Kelly, for their dedicated work. They are terrific examples of putting hope into action, and the results speak volumes about their energy and focus.

Speaking of energy, I guess we’ll be revving up for The Apprentice team’s arrival next month. I’ll keep you posted on what promises to be another great season. Stay tuned!

I am often asked what it’s like to be in Mr. Trump’s office during a meeting. The first word that comes to my mind is “energizing.” There’s no way one can be in a meeting with Mr. Trump without feeling a bit of a buzz, whether it be adrenalin or something else. It’s also true that there’s no way you can leave a meeting without feeling the residue of that buzz.

I remember a very intense meeting a few years ago with one of Mr. Trump’s editors from Random House, which had proceeded at the rather typical--to us--breakneck speed. When the editor came out, he turned to me and said, “I need oxygen!” And he wasn’t kidding. He was completely drained but cognizant enough to make an insightful remark about what we’d just experienced. This editor had worked with Mr. Trump for years, but he said the speed he encountered here still took him by surprise.

I could relate, especially to the surprise aspect of his comment. A few years ago I had been asked to sit in on a meeting, a meeting about a project that I knew very little about, and one with which I wasn’t directly involved.  I assumed that I would be the silent ghost who was just there to observe, so I was paying attention, but not very close attention. I’ll admit I was daydreaming a bit and looking out the window at the park. After about five minutes, Mr. Trump suddenly asked me what I thought about something they were talking about. Fortunately I knew enough to muddle my way through an answer, but it was sheer luck that I got through one fairly--but barely--intelligent sentence as a response to his question. But it taught me a lesson--pay attention! I never “checked out” again during a meeting in his office, no matter how distant it seemed to my interests.

One thing people who meet with Mr. Trump will comment about is that he includes everyone in the meeting. He will ask direct questions to anyone in the room, whether they are the head honcho that is visiting or part of the entourage. He is interested in their comments, but I also think he likes to see who is tuned in and who isn’t. He tests people and is curious about their reactions. He also covers a lot of territory quickly, so you have to be alert as well as fast.

When I had been at the Trump Organization for just a few months, I was told Mr. Trump needed a letter done, and that he needed it in fifteen minutes. I thought it was a joke, because it was a very important letter, one that would certainly merit longer than a fifteen minute preparation time. I laughed a bit to his assistant, saying, “He’s joking, right?” She said absolutely not, that he was leaving in fifteen minutes and he’d have to have the letter by then. My laughter suddenly subsided, being replaced quickly by adrenalin and panic, but I got the letter done.

Then I noticed after about a half an hour that he hadn’t left his office, so I mentioned to his assistant that he was going to be late. She told me he wasn’t going anywhere--he had wanted to see how I fast I was! Was I mad? Yes! I felt like a sucker. But then I realized I learned a good lesson for myself--I knew I could be fast if necessity required it. It also gave me self-confidence, knowing I could produce under pressure.  A good lesson, and funny in retrospect, if not at the moment.

That’s one example of why I think Mr. Trump was a natural for Mark Burnett’s concept of The Apprentice.  He’s a bit of a teacher, even in his daily work. There are many other examples of this side of his nature, which I had noticed--and endured--so I was pleased when it was put out for the public to see for themselves when the television show hit the airwaves. No one leaves his office the same way they entered it. So a word to the wise to anyone who comes for a visit: Pay attention! It will serve you well.