"Another
season of the Apprentice begins and the first
episode could not have presented two more
different teams. There were a couple of issues
that sprang to my mind right away:
1. Characters:
As the show enters the 3rd season, clearly
candidates are seeing beyond the finale
towards what lies waiting for those that don't
get the job. Failure on the show still means
15 minutes of fame, or more if you can stretch
that out. This is exemplified by what I call
"characters." Perhaps Wacky Danny is
a great example of that, but it extends to
"Bowtie" Bren and fashion-plate
Erin. The desire to stand out has to be a huge
potential liability at this point, where being
seen as too pretty (Season 2's Jen,
though not her fault) or quirky (Raj- loved
the guy, but the clothes made him an easy
mark) can put you under a light that may
ultimately lead to your demise. Save the
sparkle for the tasks and do your job.
2. Insincere
leaders: Todd gave a rah-rah speech prior
to opening the store. He used phrases like
"I'm proud of you." Such praise is
meaningless until after you have led a team,
after rapport has been established, and after
you gain credibility with others. First task
pm's are the pm b/c of their proven skill. You
have to earn the right to be proud of your
team. Otherwise it is hollow and meaningless.
I think the only reason why Danny was in the
boardroom was because his marketing
performance was such a freakshow. Otherwise it
would have been Todd by a landslide.
3. Personality:
Danny is an early "fire" sure-thing.
His marketing partner Stephanie made a
big mistake about turning on him, perhaps
because she saw the attention turn away from
Todd onto Danny. Brian from Net Worth is
cheerful, but his Viking Hat shtick was not
emblematic of good bargaining skills but a
lack of focus. Additionally, his use of strong
profanity at dinner is not a good sign. Trump
didn't say anything, and maybe doesn't care
that much, but it marked Brian as having less
tact. This will hurt him (by the way, I always
thought that story about Trump paying off
someone's mortgage was Urban Legend).
I think that the
street-smart team leader John has already
established himself as a strong contender. He
motivated his team in a personal way,
delegated like a pro, and made things happen.
He was involved, a real entrepreneur, and not
a delegater like Todd.his team. At this stage
in the competition, this is a must. It
engenders trust and will build the capital he
will need later on. I think he has a decent
shot of getting to the final 2. Everyone else
was a cipher."
Joe Lowry, Jr.
"Thank god
for MSNBC. I travel most Thursday nights
and it gives me a chance to catch up on the
Apprentice on reruns.
I've only seen the first episode so far. And
here are my observations.
During the first two seasons I couldn't believe
how unbelievably dull witted all the contestants
were. Overeducated robots.
And this group. It instantly reminded me
of one of my favorite Robert Kiyosaki
("Rich Dad, Poor Dad) quotes. "The
A students end up working for the C students and
the B students work for the government."
I felt like I was watching a remake of the movie
"Big." Grown up bodies with the
minds and experience of children. And not
very bright children. Children who were
taught to listen well and imitate but never
think on their own. Their privileged (read
pampered, unchallenging and "looking good
at any cost") upbringings make them good
for corporate cogs but little else.
I will say they inspired me in one way. I've
thinking about becoming a 21st Century Corporate
Carlos Castenada (SP?). Why? It's obvious that
these people are each living a very separate
reality of their own. There has to be a
book in there somewhere.
I'm tempted to say (and all of these thoughts
come from my own experience and beliefs) that
the contestants are poster children for the
dumbing down of education.
In the past the kind of ignorance I saw on this
show could be blamed on self-centeredness and
me-first. But they look totally oblivious
to what's going on. Like the guy who got fired
and was wandering around not knowing what to do
and making excuses about not being trained had
the same dumb look on his face Bush did in 911.
When you're self centered at least you recognize
other people are around and can adapt if you
want. But when you are oblivious, you
wander through life like in a pinball machine
bouncing around and not really accomplishing
much. But at the same time, that stupidity
acts as a buffer of sorts. Especially when
all your friends and others around you are the
same kind of sheep.
Keep up the great work."
John
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Team
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