Trump University Entrepreneurship 101: How to Turn Your Idea into a Money Machine, Second Edition

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Design Your

Money Machine

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very entrepreneur makes mistakes, and I am no exception. Some of my

false starts can be traced to my lack of focus on all aspects of the Money

Machine that I was creating. In retrospect, I would have done well to ask,

“What is my best approach to delivering unique value to customers and mak-

ing the most sustainable profits?” I’ve learned my lesson; those unsuccessful

attempts were costly and time-consuming. Now I put great emphasis on the

total system—from idea generation to opportunity screening, to business de-

sign to exuberant customers, and to money. And that sometimes includes the

decision, on careful consideration, not to pursue what at first appeared to be

a compelling opportunity. This chapter shares lessons I have learned about

Money Machines and business design from the vantage point of my involve-

ment in different companies.

Business design options are the different paths you might

choose in converting your opportunity into customer

satisfaction and sustained profitability.

Figure 11.1, Gordon’s Money Machine, is a visual representation of the

entrepreneurial process. The metaphor of the machine implies that there is

continuous circulation in the process. Ideas and opportunities churn; business

design elements are constantly refined; positive cash flow from exuberant cus-

tomers is fed back into the machine (not squandered on executive perks). The

machine thrives on entrepreneurial evolution, energy, and enthusiasm. It is

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TRUMP UNIVERSITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101

Figure 11.1 Gordon’s Money Machine in Its Context

Source: The Center for Competitive Success, www.CompetitiveSuccess.com, “Gordon’s Money

Machine in Its Context.” Copyright

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

2000 by Michael E. Gordon. Used with permission.

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