This is Mona

One of my role models in business is Ivanka Trump. Her book “The Trump Card” is a valuable resource that provides personal accounts and insights from a variety of business environments and occasions. I call it a resource because its the kind of book you can revert back to for reminders and inspiration. Most of her guiding principles are fundamental, smart and down to earth. In fact I just practised what she preaches about “Reaching Out” and “Put it in Writing”. Ivanka makes notes of people who are making moves relevant to her business, or who inspire her by shaking things up in their career. Ivanka’s thinking is that if she is inspired by someone, she’ll do well to let them know about it. She does this on the theory that you never know how people will respond, but chances are it might lead to a positive connection. I’m a firm believer of this. Earlier this afternoon as I turned the final page of her book, I did what I normally do when I finish a good book or read an interesting article, I tweeted its praise. This time I wanted to put more thought into it and include Ivanka’s twitter handle so that I could send it in a form of a personalized note. Realize, I did not write it with the expectation that she would respond.  After all, i’m pretty sure someone of that kind of celebrity probably gets an innumerable amount of tweet mentions. A few hours later opportunity had it with a response from her! Yes, one would say that when someone (me) provides accolades to another (her) on Twitter, especially someone with a product (her book), its a form of Marketing (for her) that deserves a thank you or a response (to me). However, Ivanka’s book actually provided value to me. My tweet about how great her book is probably provided value on a small scale to her. Its a mutually beneficial transaction.