Donald Trump: Forget WWJD, If they kick you, kick them harder!

I like Donald Trump.
I like his shwag (that’s “swagger” to you uninitiated), I like the boldness of his ideas and expression.
I’m also careful when I read his books because I want to incorporate some of his principles into my mindset…but not everything.

I recently read Donald Trump’s collaboration with Bill Zanker, “Think Big and Kick Ass!” and I’m happy to report there are some really good nuggets in here for bootstrapping entrepreneurs:

Those 2 accounts alone are worth the time it will take you to go to your local library and get this book. The basic lesson of this book is as follows:
Think Big…Get Even!
The idea is that “the whole world is out to get you” and if you don’t make the first guy really sorry, others will come after you, and then you’ll be sorry. I can’t say anything bad about the Donald because it may very well be the situation in the world he lives in.

Apart from The Donald’s rhetoric about not being a schmuck, and getting even on every score, one of the most important bits of wisdom in this book comes in his retelling of the story of William Levitt’s (Levittown) success and subsequent financial fall.

What I found powerful about this poignant story was his spotlight on “the power of momentum”. I believe that momentum-mindedness is one of the most overlooked weapons in the arsenal of the serially-successful.

Here’s a quote on Donald Trump’s recipe for momentum:

To get momentum, you must first focus on a specific goal with passion and intensity…Start your momentum rolling by becoming very knowledgeable about your chosen field…Getting a good mentor helps create momentum, too.

I’ll add to that by saying that momentum is about focus, urgency and pace. One of the best books I’ve ever read that conveys the power of momentum is “Life is a Contact Sport” by Ken Kragen who variously managed entertainers like Kenny Rogers and Lionel Ritchie among others.

Just Kick their A$$…BUT WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

The only caveat I’d note on the advice dispensed in this book is to take the “revenge principle” with a grain of salt. Particularly for Christian entrepreneurs, I’d recommend using your wits and following your instincts before you get into partnerships and to protect yourself with good plans, agreements and contingencies.

Think through your partners motivation to want to be involved in the deal; make sure that the “What’s In It For Them?” is fully accounted for (why tempt them to cheat you?) and then establish both your business and legal protections. (Legal protections – Enforceable Contracts, agreements with well thought out clauses and terms; Business protections – as much as is possible, make sure you’re on the “customer-getting” side of the partnership, and that you’re 100% in on the “money-counting” part of the partnership).

No matter how much you protect yourself, you will invariably be disappointed or betrayed by somebody. Following Donald Trump’s “revenge” prescription for curing disappointment will leave you with ulcers and an unfulfilled life – in my humble opinion.

Till next time.
Gogo

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