Lessons from the Apprentice: Secrets to Success from the Boardroom to the Business World

by Producers of the Apprentice and Michael Robin

Book Overview

Part entertainment and part how-to-succeed-in-business, this unique resource will offer powerful lessons in leadership, management, salesmanshipeven chutzpahfor aspiring entrepreneurs and ambitious... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932994262
• ISBN13: 9781932994261
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Time Home Entertainment
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.0" x 11.1"
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

For those of us who didn't do business school

For me, this book is the best of the lot. I've browsed Amy and Bill's books, read Carolyn's, and Trump: The Way to the Top...skipped Donald's real estate primers because...I'm not interested in real estate. And I have to say--this "workbook" taught me A TON about business basics, and plane old personal success. I think some of us need to hear "Grab life by the horns and give it everything you've got"... and, HOW exactly to go about doing that. This book hits the spot. It's all about examples from the show, and I don't know about you, but I learn from examples best. It's not nostalgic, it's just basic business lessons...ones that I am surprised most business people don't follow. Like, for example, Why it's important--and How to be a good listener during--brainstorming sessions. "Notice the body language and look on Bill's face when Katrina came up with dumbass ideas in season 1"...Well, ok, it doesn't exactly say that, but...you know what I'm saying. I actually used this in my department and was shocked at the good it did. My CFO has no idea The Apprentice is part of the reason our production budget is slashed by a third now. As corny as it sounds, my recent promotion from mail room to management is, in part, due to this corny workbook. --I say corny because, um, there's an entire page dedicated to a color photo of George's face. That's just creepy. --Funny. But creepy. I think this book is for people who like emotional attachment to what they're doing, examples spelled out for them, and lots of pep talks. I also reccommend Carolyn 101.

A look at the first three "seasons"

It's difficult to believe that the first Apprentice "interview" was aired on January 8, 2004. Donald Trump's signature table smack, pointing finger, and "You're fired!" pronouncement seem to have been in our cultural memory far longer. And you don't have to be a fan or avid watcher of the program to be familiar with it. "Lessons" follows the format of the typical television show commemorative paperback. It's got full-color photos and two episode lists that detail the tasks, project managers, team members, rewards, fatal errors, boardroom callbacks, and firees of the first three "seasons." But of course, it offers much more than a mere superficial episode recap. The bulk of the book is organized by chapters that focus on the various aspects of business that were represented by the tasks: product development, sales techniques, leadership, time management, boardroom survival, etc. Each chapter uses Apprentice examples, both good and bad, to make a point. The pages are liberally decorated with words of advice from Donald, Carolyn Kepcher, and George Ross, as well as Marilyn DeVries, Linda Sawyer, RuthAnn Fry, Gene Simmons, George Steinbrenner, and Alan "Ace" Greenberg. The result is glitzy and not quite as in-depth as the analysis that was posted weekly on the NBC Apprentice web site during the third "season" (analysis that is shamefully missing from the current fourth "season" web page). These examples and recommendations provide interesting food for thought and a trip down memory lane for those of us who have watched every installment. Copies of this book are destined to show up at yard sales and used book sales in a few years, but "Lessons" provides moderate enjoyment in the meantime. True Trump devotees will want to hang on to and savor their copies a little longer.

Perfect recap of the first 3 seasons of the Apprentice

I got into "The Apprentice" about half-way into the first season and have been hooked ever since. There are so many dynamics going on in the show (such as short term goals, i.e. winning the assignment; relating to team members; and of course dealing with The Donald, and his side kicks George and Carolyn), that makes it compelling viewing all around. Don't underestimate the Donald's factor. For proof, check the oh-so-lame new Martha Stewart Apprentice show.... boring!!! "Lessons from the Apprentice: Secrets to Success from the Boardroom to the Business World" (176 pages) is a high-end, glossy page book that takes you back to the first 3 seasons of "The Apprentice". While the book is structured to offer "lessons", it really is a fun look back of what worked and what went horribly wrong in the teams various assignments. With 20-20 vision, many of the mistakes that the losing teams made were so obvious (Ivana dropping her pants to "sell" chocolate bars? Danny's "Triple Play" act to get people into Burger King? etc.). There are plenty of pictures and quotes from the Donald, George and Carolyn, but also from the various business executives whose company products were on the line, and in that sense, yes, the book offers lessons. In the end, though, this is an irreverent look back at the first three seasons of "The Apprentice", and a good one at that. In a way, it reminds me of the 3 (so far) Simpsons books that "dissect" the episodes. If you are a fan of "The Apprentice", you will love this book!