Hi Michael,

You know, by coincidence, I just managed to get Donald Trump's "The Art of the Deal" yesterday! I was leafing through it in the car, then came home to see your post!

I've only read a few pages so far, but it really looks like a great book for entrepreneurs.... :)

> Yep. As Donald Trump says... Don't think you
> can do everything yourself. Get and use help
> when you need it.

> It's interesting to note he also says...
> stay close to home. What got you to the top
> is what keeps you there and it saves on
> travelling time.

> Another way to put it would also be to say
> to stick with what you know, and where you
> know.

Yes.... Business isn't always easy, so it's best to give yourself the best chance of success that you can.... :)

> And all three did just that...

> The auctioneer held an auction. The TV
> presenter produced a show. The promoter
> promoted. And they did it on familiar ground
> - home ground advantage.

Yes.... Very true.... :)

> As I've not seen the show I can't comment on
> the planing part per se. However, I bet he
> didn't write a plan as much as create a
> checklist of things. A checklist which
> covered the downside so the upside would
> take care of itself.

> Was his note pad one of those small ones
> that can fit in your shirt pocket?

No, actually it was a full-sized notepad.... Unfortunately, we didn't see any close-ups of exactly what he was writing, so I don't really know what he had written there....!

Probably at least some of it would have been a list of people to call to organize these events, and he was writing while he was on the phone so he was probably jotting down the details of how it was going as he went along....

> Hmmm... maybe I should call the guy I know
> who organizes the Brisbane Rock Estedford
> every year... :o)

Heheh.... :) Well, my brother Thomas (as he posted here) is looking into organizing an underage dance party.... I speak with my brother regularly (we live in different cities), and he's been speaking with some of his friends who have experience in this area....

As for me, I have something in mind I can do in Sydney too, though it's not really an event but something else....

A couple days ago I spoke to a company which specializes in promotional products. The essential idea -- if it comes to fruition -- is to provide a kind of product in a specific situation for sale (I can't give more details right now). I may also be able to get sponsorship too (I haven't looked into that part yet).... I'm waiting for the quote from the promotional products company, then I'll get an idea of the feasibility....

However, I was wondering if any of these ideas are transportable online? Could you have an online "event" which people would pay to "attend"? I'm not sure.... It's something to think about....

What do people pay for online? They are willing to buy products (both "real-world" products which they get in the mail, and also "virtual" downloadable ones).... They are willing to join private membership web sites if the benefits are great enough. But are they willing to pay to "attend" online events? I haven't heard of that yet....

Okay.... I'm going to be reading more of Donald Trump's book over the next few days.... Thanks for mentioning the book, Michael!

Dien Rice