What It Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up: A Modern Woman's Guide to Success in Business

by Amy Henry, Donald J. Trump (Foreword)

In What It Takes , Amy Henry, a formidable business woman and national star from the original season of The Apprentice , shares her experiences, skills, and in-your-face advice for moving up in today's workplace. Throughout her impressive ten-year business career, Amy has learned how women can succeed by using the strategies men use every day, and by thinking of femininity as an asset, not a liability.

* No crying in the boardroom-use the right emotions at work
* Negotiate for what you're worth-get the compensation you deserve.
* Speak assertively-confidence isn't arrogance.
* Dating at work-know the consequences
* Ask forgiveness, not permission-take a risk

Hip, honest, and controversial, What It Takes is the ultimate guide to the reality of today's business world from the new model for today's young business women.

Genres: Business

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2004

Reviews

[Becky Cheung]

Okay, I have to admit that I am a fan of The Apprentice by Donald Trump. Now, the national star from The Apprentice shares her experiences, skills, and in-your-face advice for moving up in today's workplace and I pick the book up out of curiosity.

As she comes from the mostly in male-dominated industries, she shares what she has learned how women can succeed by using the strategies men use every day in businesses.

Overall, I think this book have a bit of a cheer-leading effect on me -- all of us need a bit of encouragement from time to time but there is one thing she said I found it true though -- she pointed out about how most women believe that if they just work hard and get great results someone will notice. ( But in reality most of the time, it may not be true - the company will take your work happily and those who ask and network will get the promotion. )

Basically this book is a reminder of the need to speak up and stand up for yourself, to network, to learn not to take things personally, to separate friendship at work and how to work with someone you do not like.

This is ideal for someone who is interested to join the corporate world or relatively new to it.

[Rebecca]

I got a signed copy after I heard her speak at a businesswomen's dinner -- it was interesting, and she has a few good mantra-like phrases to incorporate into your 'business-think'. She has plenty of personal business experiences, all with the appropriate lesson attached, and some were truly instructive. Some plain eye-opening (especially for a man who thinks that women aren't really being held down in business!) While I appreciate her drive and ability to triumph in some situations, I walked away thinking I'm glad I don't have to be so aggressive to find a job I like.

[Lori Grant]

An optional-read book on career management and development.

[Rachel B.]

I liked how brassy Amy's perspective is. She cuts to the quick and has a fresh voice. That said, it wasn't exceptionally memorable.