Inc. - Latest Comments in http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Narmbrale — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:06:19 -0000

You don't really need or want that lifestyle, it might hurt y'all slowly more.......Just tell him you
don't wanna repeat something your not too proud of z7uas.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Celebrite Video — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 18:25:54 -0000

Trump makes then do stupid things show is a joke.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Punk — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 03:35:22 -0000

Ok, don't get excited about the show tonight, from what I can tell it's not a typical episode. The commericial for Thursday says that the final 5 will go at it. There are only 5 left, right? If i'm right then tonight will probably just be a recap with "never before seen footage." either way i'll probably watch it.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

www.goshorty.com — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 12:06:14 -0000

loved the show so far still suprised ivana is still there!!

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

CheapSkate — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 08:14:40 -0000

If only the roles were reversed. If only Jen came up with the fit wheel, if only Ivana took credit for it, if only jen was mad at ivana for using her chest as a weapon, IF ONLY JEN FLASHES FOR US THIS WEEK!

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Conan the Grammarian — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 07:41:11 -0000

I think Kevin's dislike for JenM is that he feels he does as much work (or more) and gets less credit. He has been in the boardroom much more than she has.

Ivana's dislike is sour raisins. She was incompetent early on and thinks that JenM just gets by on her looks. JenM gets by on playing the boardroom game and managing impressions like a pro. Ivana can't do either of those things very well. She has stepped up her game on the tasks, but not to the level required to do well at a high level in corporate America.

Ivana flashing? When was the last time you thought Carly Fiorina should stand on a street corner in Palo Alto and flash passing motorists? Is that really how Ivana thinks a corporate CEO should act?

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

kd — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:30:27 -0000

I have to admit that Ivana and Kevin dislike for Jen appears to be sour gr*pes. They both had to go into the boardroom twice without her, and that's where their whining comes in. Until week 12, she hadn't been kept in a boardroom! We thought that was a sign of strength in the past, but somehow it's now a conspiracy? PLLEEEEEEZ. She is playing the game well, and has the education and looks (let's remember that DT is the trophy wife type) that appeal to the man. We would be ridiculous if we'd don't think she's a contender for the final two.

Especially since next week, all five of them will walk into the board room, and Trump will say, "It doesn't matter who won this task... Ivana, you little freak, I can't have an apprentice who goes around flashing people for $20!!! You're Fired!"

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Rosemary — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 10:02:12 -0000

It was total Jenn-O-cide last week. I watched the extended scenes on yahoo and everyone was taking hits at Jenn.

She was the topic of almost every scene. It's looking like they may be setting the stage for her departure. Usually when so much time is spent on one person, they don't last too long in the next show.

It would be impossible for me to believe that Ivana would be fired after Jenn, especially since she's about to expose her true self all over NYC and for only 20 bucks.

It's way too predictable to see the end that's coming. I was on a tour bus in NYC last month and when we passed Trump Tower we started talking about the show. Same conclusion, it will be Jenn and Kelly and that was back in October.
Great tour in case your interested:
www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

CheapSkate — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 05:32:51 -0000

Where is my episode 12 review? i'm dying for it. The holiday weekend makes waiting for it even worse. Come on Nadine, hook me up.

what's the big deal with Jen's breasts? i never really noticed them (except maybe in one episode), even though Ivana keeps bringing them up......Ivana, leave it to Jen's bra to bring up her breasts.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

john27517 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 07:41:36 -0000

I'm backing Jen at this point. I think she's very polished and a good team leader. Remember, she won as PM. I'm looking forward to seeing her as team leader again. I'm fairly confident she will win.

I think she "got" the idea with the pants wheel. I think she hates Ivana and wanted her idea seem stupid.

Moreover, I'm shallow and like looking at Jen's boobs.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Rosemary — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 09:41:06 -0000

Conan,

I know exactly what your saying. I lost it for Jenn a couple of shows back. I did like the way it all turned on those who were trying to backstab in front of the boss. Taking those pot shots can be costly, if not deadly, to careers.

It does appear to me also that Jenn is skating by, resting on her good looks and resume'.

I'm holding out for Sandy to be the "IT" girl over Jenn. I liked the way she stood up to Maria; though having a 20-30 minute argument with Maria as a deadline approached didn't impress me too much. I think that time could have been better spent on making sure the project was completed as specified. It wasn't.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Hortense MacGillicuddy — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 08:01:24 -0000

Business 2.0 reports that Melania Knauss, Trump's skanky fiance, will be the new Levi's spokesmodel.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Conan the Grammarian — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 07:11:17 -0000

Rosemary,

I'm saying JenM is managing impressions - and doing it well. Her teammates are on to her, but Trump and the viceroys do not yet appear to be.

JenM is not team-building and competing at tasks. Shes covering her own butt for the boardroom. Kevin pegged it perfectly when he said she always manages to skate. She does that by not sticking her neck out and by participating just enough to be able to point out her contribution when asked in the boardroom.

I've worked with enough of her type. They spend more time in the boss' office trumpeting their own accomplishments than on actually working. I am beginning to truly loathe her.

Kevin, Andy, and Sandy are the only people left in this show that I would want to work with. The rest of them are snakes and rats.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Dave — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 05:25:45 -0000

"Then, once they have it, they take over and run with it. I don't get bent out of shape over this and always view this as a strength in the long run."

I guess that can work with the right higher-ups, but in many cases getting your credit stomped on doesn't work out well. It is a million times worse if someone at your level steals your ideas. I guess if the higher-ups are those that take care of and respect their staff then you have a very unique and powerful team environment.

In my experience unfortunately it is almost always a down in the mud fight rather than a truly collaborative effort. I have seen more companies operating as teams like the folks on the Apprentice, with bickering, backstabbing, and lots of different directions and no leadership, than the "ideal" team environment that I so hope to find someday. I think the Apprentice this year very truthfully depicts what corporate America looks like in most places today.

It is interesting to note that this season almost all the candidates are from corporate America and mostly lawyers, versus last year's crop of mostly entrepeneurs and small business persons. We have marketing directors, corporate lawyers, and financial executives this year. We had cigar business startups, mortgage business startups, chiropractic business startups, technology startups, restaurant startups, real estate small businesses etc last year. It seems the only ones from corporate America were David Gould (fired first), Kwame Jackson, and maybe Bowie.

(Major Generalization Here) I do believe that much of the bickering, poor team dynamics, et al, is indicative of a large firm/corporate environment, versus last season's environment of small business and entrepeneurship. Anyone find this theory to be true or completely false?

Perhaps that was exactly the idea that Burnett was trying to accomplish by recruiting an entirely different archetype of candidates for this year. If so, I hope he goes back to the entrepeneurs next season.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

mmd — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:28:42 -0000

Are these really the best people they could find? I wish they spent more time finding candidates --- that way there might actually be some interest in a third season. Right now I feel like Im watching a bunch of morons and little children compete for a job they shouldn't even apply for.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Christian — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 12:37:46 -0000

Some great points in the postings above. However, I don't beleive Jen should be given as much grief for speaking about fit wheel in the presentation.

While she obviously didn't get the concept (she really is blonde isn't she) in the brainstorming stage, she did "get it" when the final collateral was delivered and was confident in speaking about it in the presentation. She obviously didn't want to be viewed as window dressing.

I run into this 'take-over' all the time in professional life... trying to convince the higher-ups of something they can't visualize until it's in their hands. Then, once they have it, they take over and run with it. I don't get bent out of shape over this and always view this as a strength in the long run. Ivana should realize this, especially as a VC.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Mike Hofman — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 06:52:15 -0000

I felt sorry for Ivana when her idea was credited to Jenn, but even so, her extreme hatred of Jenn is unappealing. It may well be deserved, but it's not professional. Kelly came off as a pompous zip this week. As for poor Kevin's flop sweating, the room looked warm--the Levi's guy seemed to be sweating also.

The real action was on the other team, however. I loved hearing Maria say those ridiculous lines like "Give me bitchy or give me death" and, "If being sexy is wrong, I don't want to be right." What a dork! I did feel sorry for Wes that he was stuck with her, but still, he had a deer-caught- in-the-headlights look for much of the project, which was odd, because he seemed to have exceptional composure in previous weeks. I think maybe he's just a good worker bee, but folded when he was put in the project manager role. I thought it odd that Sandy didn't contribute more, and it was silly and counterproductive of her to get into that fight with Maria. Meanwhile, Andy is looking better and better. He's a good talker but more importantly he seems able to anticpate problems, from Maria's monopolizing the project to the fact that the Levi's people would wonder why the team didn't wear jeans. He's immature, to be sure. But then again, so is Donald Trump.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Bizz — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 04:43:33 -0000

gotti girl,
Why are you promoting white trash?

gotti's are an embarassment to the world. The sickening display of wealth, accumulated from stealing honest people's money, makes me want to puke. And here you are, glorifying crime... shame on you.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Rosemary — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:33:52 -0000

Conan,

Your saying that just by her speaking up at that moment of time, it could be seen by the Levi group, that the credit of design would be Jenn's?
Then timing is everything. She timed it well.

Jenn knew she was being given busy work to keep her out of the goings on. It really doesn't pay to conspire cause she came out smelling like a rose anyway.

Obviously, Jenn had to make a positive impression on that Levi fellow. With creative editing going on, we'll never know what all went on there for 3 days.

Ivana's remark in front on Carolyn that Jenn is getting blonder and blonder, was the best. Open mouth and insert foot. Ivana is her own worst enemy.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Conan the Grammarian — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 12:37:16 -0000

Rosemary,

JenM didn't take outright credit for the idea. She did manage impressions, however. What she did was speak up at exactly the time the Levi's executive asked how they came up with the idea, leaving him with the impression it was her idea. Even if Ivana immediately afterward said it was a cooperative effort, the damage was done. And JenM knew it. She then basked in the warm halo of the compliment given to her IN FRONT OF TRUMP.

Ivana was toast if she tried to counter the JenM love-fest in front of Trump (witness the real estate task's botched attempt).

A gracious JenM would have mentioned the contributions of the rest of the team (Kevin for the team-as-models idea, Ivana for the wheel, and Kelly for whatever it was he did). But JenM has shown very little grace thus far. She has already let it be known that she wants Ivana and Kevin gone. She's not about to share accolades with them.

JenM's a better and more polished speaker than Ivana or Kevin, so that only added to her credibility.

She makes Stacy R look like a complete amateur in the being-Iago department.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Rajfan — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 08:45:57 -0000

Boring...

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Profit Prophet — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 06:43:03 -0000

There is a God! Maria had to go! She should have been fired weeks ago, but then again most of the people before her were lame as well. Anyway, Wes was not much better, and deserved to be booted. He did have the best line in this year's show when he said, "I wish I had my own cab." That at least deserved some style points.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Dave — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 03:14:03 -0000

"My question is, when/how did Bill Rancic turn into such an a**hole?"

I think that is what the producers drive for those in the boardroom. Notice Carolyn's behavior has been remarkably different in this season than last, and I don't think she has changed personalities. I think the producers and editors very much coach the Viceroys on how to act.

George is the same as last year. I think he might just say to the producers "Look, I am who I am, I was making business decisions when the Romans were running all of Europe, so I don't need your namby pamby suggestions, capesh?"

Bill is doing lots of promoting for his salary. which may be boring to a type A entrepeneur type but seems to be alot of Trump's revenue stream, so it isn't all that surprising.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

Rosemary — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 03:58:48 -0000

I can't imagine what thoughts were going on in Maria's head to think that she could tell her PM to back off? In real business life, she would have been fired on the spot. Wes should have fired her off the task right then and there.

Besides having too many people for so few shows that are left, his firing of Maria and Wes, (the PM), was dead on. A possible lucrative account was lost because of one person who took control who was obviously out of her league, if not out of her mind.

Once she showed this maniacal trait, Wes had no other choice but to take her off the task and try to save the account for his team. Failing to do this, he put his own head on the chopping block and rightfully so. What Trump did (firing both of them) mimics real business life situations.

Everyone mentions that when Jenn spoke up during the presentation that she was stealing credit from Ivana. Yet, I didn't hear Jenn take credit for the wheel design. Neither did Ivana when she next spoke, she said it was a cooperative effort.

But Ivana tells us later that Jenn was stealing credit. Hmmm, do we believe our own ears, or someone who is telling us what was being said? If Jenn really took credit for the wheel, believe me, the editors would have shown that, I have no doubt about that.

Ivana and Kevin are not exactly impartial enough to be giving us their spin on what Jenn said or didn't say.

As Trump would say, this was a huge business lesson that played out on our TV screens this week.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/11/the_apprentice_12.html

None — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 09:43:40 -0000

My question is, when/how did Bill Rancic turn into such an a**hole? I don't remember him being that pointlessly unpleasant when he was a contestant. Or maybe he was just holding back. It just seems like some evil Trump clone climbed into Bill Rancic's body.