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The Trump Card: Playing To Win In Work And Life (2009)

by Ivanka Trump(Favorite Author)

3.58 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1439140014 (ISBN13: 9781439140017)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Touchstone (Simon & Schuster)

review 1: At the end of the day, I liked this book and got something out of it, but I'll give you a forwarning about it: It feels like you're having lunch with your rich, smart, bitchy friend. She blah-blah-blahs for 4 pages about how she has this privilege and that privilege, but you still have to have good work ethics like ____ and FINALLY gives you one tiny helpful point that will actually increase your life. Every time you're about ready to give up on her, she finally gets to the point.
review 2: I must admit, I have judged Ivanka from afar as a spoiled little princess who had everything handed to her on a silver platter. The only reason I picked the book up in the first place is that there are entirely too few books on business that have been written by women. I f... moreigured I'd read a few pages and see whether it was worth it to keep reading or not...I was blown away by how hard she's worked for everything she's got! Yes, it's true that being born into the Trump family came with certain priveleges, it also had it's own challenges. It meant she had to work that much harder to prove herself. One example would be the childhood lemonade stand. Most kids raid their parents freezer and cupboards and keep all the profits. The Trump kids had to purchase the supplies themselves from their parents, figure out a marketing strategy, and account for expenses versus costs. Her parents always had high expectations regarding grades, but also in the workplace too which Ivanka was exposed to all her life.Talk about someone who has it all together!!!! She is extremely responsible, making sure to arrive EARLY wherever she goes. The clothes are ready, the transportation schedule worked out or *PRACTICED* in advance, in fact, preparations begin the following night when she chooses NOT to go out drinking or partying so she'll be able to be up early and ready for business the following day. Staying up too late would be unacceptable within the high standards she sets for herself. She is the first to arrive at work, and generally the last to leave the office in the evening. She doesn't walk into ANY meeting unprepared, even researching potential new hires on FaceBook, and perusing their pictures. Is that person someone who would represent the Trump brand well? Are there wild bashes and drinking parties? Inappropriate behavior, talk, or comments? Prior to any meeting with another company or leaders whether it's a potential business deal or a negotiation, Ivanka will walk into that meeting with enough research done to know what the market closed at the night before. She'll know the company's motto and objectives. She will have Googled everything she could about the leaders and the history of the company. I was VERY impressed with her. Not afraid to shake things up, she will stand up for herself whenever she needs to.One of my favorite things she shared, is that whenever she hears of something amazing, like a real estate agent or someone in business accomplishing something remarkable, she'll send a hand written note on Trump stationary letting them know she read about this or that in the New York Times, and was very impressed with their accomplishments, and lets them know that she's following their career. She does the same basic thing with people in all fields, celebrities, government leaders, etc... I thought that was an incredible idea for networking and developing connections, especially in a world where hand written notes have become very rare.There are several tips for better interviews, navigating the office, how to have better working relationships in the office, networking, and for more productivity. She doesn't advocate multi tasking and collects Blackberry's in a box so that as a group, their energy can be focused toward productivity and solutions in meetings. There were many excellent tips and I looked at several things in a different way after hearing her point of view.One thing I also didn't expect from this book was also a new respect for Donald Trump as a person, father, and businessman. Ivanka as a child had spoiled little schoolmates from school who demanded things from their parents. Ivanka, taking a cue from her playmate, asked for her father's credit card to purchase a new swimsuit. Her father told her no, she already had a swimsuit that would do just fine. She said, but dad, my friend is getting a new swimsuit from HER dad! Donald Trump looked at the friend and said to the little friend that she really didn't need a new swimsuit either. He has accomplished incredible things in life, is incredibly disciplined, and has instilled an incredible hard work ethic in his children. If we could rate 1/2 stars, I would have given this book a 3.5 for interesting content and business tips. less

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