(The) Donald Trump is an excellent example of American entrepreneurism in its most colorful form. Synonymous with New York real estate, beautiful women, bad hair, 90-story ego, distaste for dishonesty, and a clear killer-instinct in business world, Trump also knows how to use people to make money for him.

Yet Trump is no exception when it comes to overcoming episodes of failure or great hardship. In late 1980’s when he fell into default with his mortgage lenders his back was definitely against wall. But negotiating skills pulled him out of this slump with hardly a missed heartbeat. Love him or hate him, he certainly creates brand recognition.

His new reality show, The Apprentice, takes place in unforgiving business world of Manhattan as eight women and eight men (all entrepreneurs in their own right) are chosen out of more than 200,000 applicants to compete for ultimate prize: running one of Trump’s companies with a huge salary.

20 million viewers watched for three months while Donald Trump outlined buy-low-sell-high mindset of marketing, and each week they were divided into two teams and given their assignments. Each week one was “fired” for reasons such as choosing candor over loyalty, misconduct, or dishonesty.

As a viewer there was much to learn about what it takes to make it in business.

Dede Hall, author of The Starving Student's Cookbook had very poor sales for her books. Then one day an outrageously light bulb moment appeared. She added an inexpensive skillet with book and shrink-wrapped them. Then she took 150 of them to two stores that she thought wouldn't sell them. Yes, to her surprise, all 150 sold in two days. Dede stumbled on an outrageous idea and it worked out big time. She sold over 100,000 copies in a few months. Where did she sell them? Thought you would never ask. Price Clubs and K-marts.

Do you have a book that could be packaged with something else and create outrageous sales for yourself? It's Christmas time and no it isn't too late. But before you dart off to come up with an outrageous idea for your book, continue reading so that you can get all facts.

Another cookbook was repackaged with a scarlet ribbon and some imported cinnamon sticks and then sold at department stores in housewares and gift sections. The book couldn't sell at $5.95 but flew off shelves at $10 and went into second printing in 30 days.