Reply to: The Apprentice Winner!

[Fred Bloggs]

Can you blame him?

Not at all.

[Menelaus]

Does ringing an agent begging for work constitute "marketing" ?

yep.

[Platypus]

At least with us we not only "market" ourselves

Does ringing an agent begging for work constitute "marketing" ?

[Menelaus]

Absolutely. But their businesses are mostly different to us, it's mass-market. Style (marketing, packaging and selling) is key or no-one buys the stuff. Everyone appreciated that the product flaws could be sorted out given time.

A good point, but even brands where businesses have spent close to sod-all on marketing still manage to make money and have the consumers queuing out the door (EasyJet, for example)

[Doggy Styles]

True, but again, this is style over substance.

At least with us we not only "market" ourselves, we also provide the services. We are, in short, the SME engine underpinning the economy!

Absolutely. But their businesses are mostly different to us, it's mass-market. Style (marketing, packaging and selling) is key or no-one buys the stuff. Everyone appreciated that the product flaws could be sorted out given time.

[minestrone]

Yes, no doubt about it. Would you hire a "finance director" who didn't know company accounts were public documents? Suralan saw no further than what was up her dress.

Can you blame him?

At least she got her accounts in on time, even if she never had a clue what was in them.

[Fred Bloggs]

Are you seriously suggesting that Sir Alan Sugar was influenced by a nice pair of puppies....

Do you really think that he employed a young lady who doesn't know what "turnover" is, doesn't know what her "profit" was - although claiming to be the Finance Director of her Restaurant/Company because she has nice baps??

Well it could be worse - he could have Hired Kate....... although she might also have a couple of good points her other skills seemed to stop at "Looking Good"........

Yes, no doubt about it. Would you hire a "finance director" who didn't know company accounts were public documents? Suralan saw no further than what was up her dress.

[Menelaus]

Perhaps you are missing the point though.

I don't think knocking together a software system, building a network, or changing tapes for a couple of days would make very good TV, or demonstrate much entreprenuerial spirit. Furthermore, that's not the type of person that this program is trying to unearth.

At the end of the day, the two finalists were praised by all those present from the confection industry, for (in their words) getting good marketing campaigns off the ground in three days that would take their own people months. Especially considering that the finalists knew nothing about the industry or the task beforehand.

I hate defending Suralan but I have to on this occasion.

True, but again, this is style over substance.

At least with us we not only "market" ourselves, we also provide the services. We are, in short, the SME engine underpinning the economy!

[Doggy Styles]

You're missing the point. We, who are accustomed to doing something at least vaguely useful, would not want to waste our lives on those tasks. Those tasks should not be done.

Perhaps you are missing the point though.

I don't think knocking together a software system, building a network, or changing tapes for a couple of days would make very good TV, or demonstrate much entreprenuerial spirit. Furthermore, that's not the type of person that this program is trying to unearth.

At the end of the day, the two finalists were praised by all those present from the confection industry, for (in their words) getting good marketing campaigns off the ground in three days that would take their own people months. Especially considering that the finalists knew nothing about the industry or the task beforehand.

I hate defending Suralan but I have to on this occasion.

[Drewster]

You're missing the point. We, who are accustomed to doing something at least vaguely useful, would not want to waste our lives on those tasks. Those tasks should not be done.

Well I sort of agree with you.......... except I work in IT.....

[expat]

It's easy to knock them as a bad bunch. But I doubt many on here could do better at those tasks than than the top half of those contestants, within the time constraints.

You're missing the point. We, who are accustomed to doing something at least vaguely useful, would not want to waste our lives on those tasks. Those tasks should not be done.

[Liability]

It's easy to knock them as a bad bunch. But I doubt many on here could do better at those tasks than than the top half of those contestants, within the time constraints.

I would like to think I could do alot better!

Ive applied already for the next one!

I got through in this one but I dont think I was entertainment value to make the final few.

I just dont think they are interested in people who they know would excel. They are looking for people not very strong in alot of areas but maybe in a few. Also I dont think it helped that last year I put I earned £190k on the form

[Menelaus]

It's easy to knock them as a bad bunch. But I doubt many on here could do better at those tasks than than the top half of those contestants, within the time constraints.

Possible, but what would our motivation be? We all earn more than the "six-figure" sum suralans' offering.

[Platypus]

It's easy to knock them as a bad bunch. But I doubt many on here could do better at those tasks than than the top half of those contestants, within the time constraints.

any

[Doggy Styles]

I think you need to put it into context

All werent the brightest in the pack - but they each had good skills. This program is about finding people who can be mentored to be successful in Alans company. He aint no fool - and is ruthless as well. But he will invest time and money into them

Yasmina was probably the best of the bad bunch but Id suspect she will do well.

Kate was awfull - she would be a good IT Recruitment Consultant to win and get new business or make the first contact - as guys would like to see her face. But put her into a situation which requires brains - and shed collapse.....lol prob like any other rec agent.

Debra is one that will grow the most form this - as if she learns how to communicate she has alot of potential

It's easy to knock them as a bad bunch. But I doubt many on here could do better at those tasks than than the top half of those contestants, within the time constraints.