The Apprentice: Why a basic approach would be better

When it comes to the BBC’s Apprentice – I am well and truly hooked. 

A fan from the very first series, I haven’t missed a single episode of the series which sees UK business leader, Lord Alan Sugar, recruit a business partner from a handful of hopefuls. The applicants all boast impressive resumes; business start ups in their teens, selling products to the British aristocracy and owning multiple businesses, are claims which present these men and women as the best British business has to offer. Yet time and again, they make errors which leave us viewers, quite simply, speechless.

Whatever the task presented to the would-be business partners, a common (and fatal) error is often made by someone. This series, this has ranged from mixing up inches and centimetres when purchasing a flag, to failing to consider the target audience of a trade show when selecting which products to put on display. 

Time and again, these individuals with proven business prowess make the most simple of mistakes. Mistakes that leave us all wondering how on earth they ever made the process. But after all’s said and done, it’s important to remember how easy it is to critique from the sidelines. So often when faced with the need for a snappy decision in the flesh, it’s only with hindsight that we’re able to plan out what actions we should’ve actually taken. Human intuition is not robotic – it is liable to fault every once in a while. That’s what makes us who we are. Taking the time (however briefly) to stop and think is what often marks the difference between success and failure. 

With this in mind, I thought of a few tips which, if considered for every task on The Apprentice – or indeed in real life – could lay down the path of logic needed to make better decisions:

• Consider your audience: Who would buy the product or service you are promoting? Know your audience and be mindful of their preferences, spending habits, time frames and demographics every step of the way. 
• Keep to time: Have you promised work to a deadline? Make sure you give yourself enough time to meet expectations. If it genuinely looks like you won’t be able to complete the task in time; give people a heads up. They’ll be far more grateful for having being warned.
• Detail, detail, detail: Whether it’s errors of measurement, grammar or spelling; details count. Failing to get the small stuff right gives the impression that bigger tasks will be beyond your capabilities.
• Service with a smile: It may seem basic, but if you don’t look like you’re enjoying what you’re doing, others won’t enjoy/buy it either. 

As I said, these are basic tips. But every action has to begin with solid foundations. Whether we’re on The Apprentice, or going about our daily business, taking time to start from simple groundings could help you go a long way.

Bed rest tv fest

Unfortunately, poor health has got the better of me this week. Trapped in bed by a collapsed lung, I have been at the mercy of BBC iplayer and Channel 4od whilst I work from home. Most normal people would indulge in television- but alas, my fiancé and I have decided to invest our time in conversation, rather than buying a tv license. A decision I now very much regret.

But all moaning aside, I have very much enjoyed the television available once you have watched everything you normally would. All episodes of ‘don’t tell the bride’ ticked off – it’s been the BBC’s midwives and flower pot gang, and channel 4’s Thelma’s gypsy girls which have kept me occupied. The number of different lifestyles, backgrounds and situations I have witnessed has been overwhelming, allowing me to absorb an even wider glimpse of British life than I would have otherwise.

All to often we all say ‘there’s nothing to watch’ – and I’ll agree that not every programme is the thrill-fest we’d all like it to be. However, the broadcasting industry is a large one and I am grateful to my current situation in a way for forcing me to go off piste with my selections and try something different. What is presented in the finished programme is obviously a hugely edited copy, but even if it opens your eyes to just one element of another person’s everyday life, surely that’s a good thing? Empathy is a powerful tool, and television is certainly helping to sharpen mine.