Carolyn 101: Business Lessons from The Apprentice's Straight Shooter

by Carolyn Kepcher, Donald J. Trump (Foreword), Stephen Fenichell (Contributor)

One of Donald Trump's trusted advisers shares her hard-won wisdom and business advice for young professional women, explaining how to get ahead in the cutthroat world of modern-day business, how to deal with a difficult boss, how to maintain a healthy balance between work and one's personal life, and more.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Memoir, Womens

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm drawing from reactions I wrote down years before Trump became a political figure, so there's no need to set politics aside to write this review. I wrote: "Pretty much sucked. Carolyn's worshipful attitude toward Trump dominates the book and makes one wonder how direct a participant he was in the writing process."

An interesting irony: Kepcher commented about people who can't last in the Trump org because they become "so drunk on the prestige of working for Trump, that they forget to work." Shortly after that, she was fired.

[Gabriela Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think she was a faithfull employee at Trump Organization at the time she wrote the book, she spent a lot of pages in the book praising the Organization and also admiring Donald Trump. As far as I know she was let go from the Trump Organization not far after the book was published, so it would be interesting to know if it was worth it to wrote a book about Trump instead of her own.
By the end of the book, the last chapters, are interesting.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Mrs. Kepcher's career is inspiring, the book is OK.

[Amy Salamon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does it count as having ‘read’ the book if I listened to it on CD instead?

I really enjoyed the first season of The Apprentice (and Carolyn as well), so I thought this would be a enjoyable way to pass my commute home from work. That was until I discovered that Carolyn is about as snobby and entitled as Donald Trump is. Most of the first CD and scattered throughout, she raves about how wonderful he is and how he’s the best boss ever, yada, yada, yada. Can’t stand that guy.

Maybe part of my aversion is that I don’t live or work in the kind of polished, fast, high-pressure environment that she does. I’m pretty laid-back when it comes to work and I don’t deal with numbers, hitting sales figures, etc. Maybe I need to take a hint and be less like this; more ‘businesslike,’ as it is.

Somehow, I made it through. Her tips about getting a raise and interviewing were sound and I may revisit those later. And I was glad to hear her condemn women who use sex appeal to get what they want in the business world (sales, in this case, and not THOSE kind of sales). Although I was surprised, when referring to the women on the show, she was willing to let those tactics slide for some time, saying that they should use the resources they have at their disposal.

So I’m glad I didn’t actually spend money on this book and if I wasn’t listening to it during commute time (when I wasn’t doing anything anyway), I would have lamented those five hours of my life I can’t get back.

P.S. I also hate business books of just about any shape or size. I almost hate books that are full of people spewing their personal advice.

[Walter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quite possibly one of the best business book I have ever read. It was recommended to me by step daughter who has made it required reading for any who comes to work at her company. The material is very straight forward and simple to grasp, however it tells the story of what will make a successful employee, leader, and team member in business today.

It is also a biography which tells the story of a woman who's drive and people smarts allowed her to grow and thrive in the Donald Trump organization without the much cherished MBA, which so often in today's business world is valued more than street smart, strong work ethic, and the understanding the customer comes before earnings per share, 10% annual growth and the office with view.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very easy read -- a straightforward and practical guide to getting a job and doing it well, using Carolyn's own experiences with rising through the Trump Organization. Don't let the Trump association put you off, though, if you're not a fan. (I'm not.) She writes about him, but only to provide examples. I liked the balance of practical advice and narrative and the content is good, if not just reiterating common sense. (Which we all need sometimes!)

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago when I was into Donald Trump's show "The Apprentice" (my mom gave the book to me). It was a nice read, the business aspect didn't interest me so much as reading about how Carolyn managed work and family. She wrote about returning to work when her first born was only 3 weeks old! Yikes! This book isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Interestingly Donald Trump fired Carolyn shortly after I read the book.

[Sridhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that offers all the advice in a nutshell. Even if you are not interested in reading through her illustrations, the one liners that she offers are extremely useful. Seeing her as a tough no-nonsense lady on the Apprentice and the kind of management advice that she gives, the management advice that she gives is very sensible. Especially if you are looking for a high management position, she has the right steps to build the savviness in you and how to be a good leader.

[Kate Walshie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you don't like these kind of business books, I highly reccommend it because of Carolyn's "lessons". She started off as a waitress and eventually became extremely successful. Great motivation and 'How To' impovement keys for the business world. You can most likely get this for a few bucks at New England Mobile Book Fair.

[Mark Tilchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters, I am always impressed when a business person see an opportunity, and pursues it with passion. Such is the case of Ms. Kepcher using her fame on the apprentice. Her advice is indeed basic business 101, which she presents well for the entry level business person or student. A s an experienced business person I enjoyed it as a nice refresher .

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her business lessons are practical and sensible. But I believe it also involves a bit of luck and a confident personality if one wishes to be as successful as Ms Kepcher. I am not in the corporate field and I have always thought I'll do poorly in sales because being outgoing is not in my personality, but will still keep in mind her sound advice.

[James Pritchert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Carolyn seems to be an accidental celebrity and a well prepared and planned business woman. I liked how she used her experiences to teach the business principles that have governed her career. I can recommend this to anyone in the business world. It's not just for women, this is solid business training at its best.

[Elisha Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like an autobiography about how she was able to capture the heart Of Mr Trump and has succeeded with his help and believe. What she has learn over the decade of working in his organisation and who she has become and what she has learnt. It will help if you already like her to understand where she came from and her direction. I like that she is a 'straight shooter'.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone who has no one to give you advice on anything, this would be a good book to start with. Not that she has all the answers, but sheds some light on what to do when you have absolutely no clue.

[Angela Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when "The Apprentice" was first on TV... and really enjoyed it; Carolyn Kepcher did a great job talking about the whole picture - her career and her private life, and how she integrated both.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a better book than I thought. Watched the apprentice back when it first came on and reading her book now I know why Trump hired her to work for him. The job alone at one of his golf courses is a great story. The show the Apprentice was much better then.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommend any business professional that has a drive to succeed, read this!

[VaughanPL]

Click here to find it in the catalogue.

[Landry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inside look at the business mind and strategy of one of the most powerful women in business. Highly recommended for managers and business owners.

[Wendgard11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has a style I like

[Eloisa Espia · Rating 4 out of 5]

very educational..

[Lori Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A should-read book on executive ability in managing your career.