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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Use What You've Got, and Other Business Lessons I Learned From My Mom

1. Which of the "lessons" in the book was your favorite? Which could you most relate to? Relate one of her mom's stories to something you know from business, or life.

2. Do you have a favorite "lesson" that your mom (or dad. shared with you when you were growing up? Share it with the group. Have you thought more about this topic after reading this book?

3. Who are leaders in business and industry that you think have done a good job of nurturing their businesses and their employees?

4. Do you think it is possible to parent a winner, or do you think that a person's success must come from within?

5. Who have been some of the people who influenced your life? What did they do to motivate you?

6. Barbara's stories are so humorous. What role do you think wit and humor can play in motivating people? Share some stories of how you saw this work in your own lives.

7. Talk about some incident in your life that looked bleak at the time, but ended up being something that sent you in a new direction for success.

8. Do you think that coming from humble roots makes Barbara's success even sweeter? What is the appeal in the age-old rags to riches story? Do you think that people who start with measurable wealth enjoy success the same way?

9. Do you think that a man could have written a book like this and still expect to be taken as seriously as Barbara is?

10. If you met Barbara Corcoran, what would you want to ask her about this book?

If you liked this book, you may like:

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, MD and Kenneth H. Blanchard
Ice Bound by Dr. Jerry Nielsen
The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw
The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw

Use What You've Got, and Other Business Lessons I Learned From My Mom
by Barbara Corcoran

  • Publication Date: February 10, 2003
  • Genres: Business, Nonfiction
  • Hardcover: 261 pages
  • Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover
  • ISBN-10: 1591840023
  • ISBN-13: 9781591840022