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alexb5784 · 11-15-2006, 10:53 PM

I don't attend seminars that have anything to do with Robert Kiyosaki or Donald Trump. Kiyosaki is always changing his story about his 'Rich Dad'. Last time I heard he claimed he had 3. And he can't legally prove that he owns all the real estate he says he owns. And he can't prove that he owns all this stock he claims to own in public companies. And he's associated with Amway and has been writing "Quit School- Get Rich Quick" books since the 1980's. Go figure.

I think Kiyosaki's books are fine if a person wants to acknowledge that they're headed towards certain financial ruin and need to clean their acts up, but that's just about it. His books are motivators, but not "how-to" guides. Also he paints the picture that becoming wealthy is easy, that anyone can start AND run a successful business and that real estate is the only way to build wealth. This is not completely true. Anyone can start a business but making that business profitable is very hard work. Kiyosaki fails to mention this and therefore people are mislead. He wants to get people to buy his books and daydream about riches...and that's exactly what happens. They dream all day about being millionaires, stay broke and do nothing but buy his books. He's the only one getting rich!

I used to like Trump, but today it seems he is doing anything for money. After watching his reality tv show and watching these MBA type people do stupid stuff to get a job, I started to wonder. Also he just teamed up with Kiyosaki and published a book called Why We Want You To Be Rich. Come on! Do people really think The Donald is going to share specific advice on how he made his billions? I'm sure that you can learn a little bit of something from this book, but it's probably very basic. You can find the same information in a more credible source like The Richest Man in Babylon.

The truth is that building wealth is a hard and long process, unless of course you become some dot.com millionaire. But even then, people spend a lot of time designing the product that either has a market or one is being created for it (I've worked with two tech start-ups, so I know what I'm talking about), they're good at marketing & selling the product/service, and when enough momentum is built, ONLY then are investors attracted to the project. AND even then, the investors check out the management to see if these people know how to responsibly run the start-up. It takes time and people have to trust you if they plan on giving you money to grow your company. Having an idea is not enough. You have to have the idea, the people and some sort of assurance that you can make your business idea/plan/project work.

Kiyosaki fails to tell you all this and I think it's a shame to hide the truth from people. But he will tell you to quit your job because your boss sucks, that you are broke, that you have to start a business to be wealthy, invest in real estate, blah blah blah. He's full of crap and he's The Pied Piper For The Financially Clueless.

Trump's one good book is The Art of The Deal. It contains great business advice on the attitude needed to succeed. He won't tell you how to become rich though. But who cares! You can become rich anyway you want!
Just do what you love and find a way to serve as many people as possible.

As far Anthony Robbins is concerned, I don't know much. I'll read one of his books and get back to you.

- Alex

11-15-2006, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
alexb5784 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 664	My opinion I don't attend seminars that have anything to do with Robert Kiyosaki or Donald Trump. Kiyosaki is always changing his story about his 'Rich Dad'. Last time I heard he claimed he had 3. And he can't legally prove that he owns all the real estate he says he owns. And he can't prove that he owns all this stock he claims to own in public companies. And he's associated with Amway and has been writing "Quit School- Get Rich Quick" books since the 1980's. Go figure. I think Kiyosaki's books are fine if a person wants to acknowledge that they're headed towards certain financial ruin and need to clean their acts up, but that's just about it. His books are motivators, but not "how-to" guides. Also he paints the picture that becoming wealthy is easy, that anyone can start AND run a successful business and that real estate is the only way to build wealth. This is not completely true. Anyone can start a business but making that business profitable is very hard work. Kiyosaki fails to mention this and therefore people are mislead. He wants to get people to buy his books and daydream about riches...and that's exactly what happens. They dream all day about being millionaires, stay broke and do nothing but buy his books. He's the only one getting rich! I used to like Trump, but today it seems he is doing anything for money. After watching his reality tv show and watching these MBA type people do stupid stuff to get a job, I started to wonder. Also he just teamed up with Kiyosaki and published a book called Why We Want You To Be Rich. Come on! Do people really think The Donald is going to share specific advice on how he made his billions? I'm sure that you can learn a little bit of something from this book, but it's probably very basic. You can find the same information in a more credible source like The Richest Man in Babylon. The truth is that building wealth is a hard and long process, unless of course you become some dot.com millionaire. But even then, people spend a lot of time designing the product that either has a market or one is being created for it (I've worked with two tech start-ups, so I know what I'm talking about), they're good at marketing & selling the product/service, and when enough momentum is built, ONLY then are investors attracted to the project. AND even then, the investors check out the management to see if these people know how to responsibly run the start-up. It takes time and people have to trust you if they plan on giving you money to grow your company. Having an idea is not enough. You have to have the idea, the people and some sort of assurance that you can make your business idea/plan/project work. Kiyosaki fails to tell you all this and I think it's a shame to hide the truth from people. But he will tell you to quit your job because your boss sucks, that you are broke, that you have to start a business to be wealthy, invest in real estate, blah blah blah. He's full of crap and he's The Pied Piper For The Financially Clueless. Trump's one good book is The Art of The Deal. It contains great business advice on the attitude needed to succeed. He won't tell you how to become rich though. But who cares! You can become rich anyway you want! Just do what you love and find a way to serve as many people as possible. As far Anthony Robbins is concerned, I don't know much. I'll read one of his books and get back to you. - Alex