Inc. - Latest Comments in http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Gry Java Oxe — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 12:52:45 -0000

I'm a big fan of Kelly and I'm glad he won :) Thats the way I like it.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Jack W.Zerby,Sr. — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 05:49:10 -0000

How can I obtain a video,cd, or script of the Apprentice program that delt with the participants having to redesign a bottle? I would appreciate any info.,pics or site I could access.I have had an idea for some time that will revolutionize the soda industry. I have attempted to compete Pepsi against Coke, through a ryhming idea of incremental disclosure, but neither would accept anything from the public site unseen. I am at a stalemate point on this idea and would appreciate any help from any source. Thanks,Jack

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Dv — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 13:38:04 -0000

Kelly won. Good for him. I'm no fan of Kelly, but Jenn is just way too abrasive to land this position.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Cliff — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:29:06 -0000

27 minutes into the final....I am quickly losing respect for Raj and the other guy on Kelly's team.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Conan the Grammarian — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 07:04:17 -0000

For anyone interested in applying:

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice_2/application.pdf

The final interviews are March 2006. Hopefully, this means they're taking a little extra time in assessing contestants.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Cliff — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 02:49:08 -0000

RajFan - agree, the interviews were the best thus far. Good decision to go with execs from successful, major corporations for "outside" opinions.
I'm curious to see how GenWorth(?) explains and sells itself to America in the final.
Also, I would like to know if The Donald recognized and is taking advantage of yet another revenue stream by-product of the show through the formation of "Trump Talent" agency...
Obviously, the interview process is giving not only the Trump Org, but also the rest of corporate America a look at 18 talented individuals.
Inserting a clause into the Apprentice Application that binds potential contestants to 12 or 18 months of Trump Talent representation (headhunter organization) would probably create some serious additional revenue.
Just curious if anyone that posts on the board has applied to be on the show...made it past the first cut...and would care to paint the picture for the rest of us?
Happy Holidays.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

bob — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 13:33:39 -0000

Does raj realize that his present and future employers will all watch a tape of this, after watching his lack of loyalty, poisoning attitude I would never hire him and if he was presently on my staff, he would be fired immediatly.
Kelly should sit his crew down and point out to them that even though the are not going to be the apprentice, many other employers are watching their performance here.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Rajfan — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:31:14 -0000

I thought the interviews were interesting on this episode. They had some great questions and taught me that I should sniff out vague answers a bit more.

I think both Kelly and Jen did a poor job of motivating their associates up front and it will come back to hurt them.

It may be that the footage never makes it out of the editing room, but most of the project managers seem to just plow into tasks and spend little time up front setting the tone and establishing basic expectations.

Pamela is the only PM I recall doing this. It didn't work out so well because she was a bit too harsh, but I think she had the right idea.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Anna K. — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:00:54 -0000

Poor Raj. Anna Korn-i-kor-vuh married that Iglesias dude. well, at least Raj still has a chance with Robin.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Search Engines — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 06:19:20 -0000

I would like to see more Raj and Sandys, which I also think most of America can better relate to. As a great social experiment, I think the last two Apprentice ratings suggest(sweeping generalization) that Americans relate to entrepeneurs better than "the elite" lawyers and executives just as we always root for the underdog in movies. Who is always vilified in our movies and TV shows?

danny
http://www.work-at-home-profits.com

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Noir Dame — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 03:59:59 -0000

I agree. As a serial entrepreneur, I'd rather watch a business owner's challenges - especially when they take a tumble. I've learned the most from my boo-boos - what about the rest of you?

The initial appeal of "The Apprentice" last season was what we felt we could learn, and use in our own business... not to mention the higher entertainment level and humor of last year's cast. This year, my partner and I are getting a lot more out of Discovery Channel's "Wingnuts" and "American Casino," which offer more zingers and insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Jenn is very smart but an introverted person... Law firms are NOT like other workplaces, it's routine for people to confront each other, and earn each other's respect for doing so. The social skills that probably worked well for her in that realm won't work among the others - consider Chris and Pamela, aggressive, foul-mouthed financial industry folks, and how *they* fit in. IMHO she has been unfairly pegged as an "Ice Queen", with Kelly as "The Martinet".

But moreover, I was particularly unimpressed by the dismissal last week of Sandy - and interviewers' suggestions that her entrepreneurial experience interfered with her ability to work in the corporate sphere. For instance, Dawn (the Pepsi executive) told Sandy that being an entrepreneur was safer than a corporate job, essentially "you don't worry about being fired when you're self-employed." This is true - except when you're self-employed, if you don't do well, you don't eat. I'm sure a lot of us have been laid off or fired once in our lives, but going hungry isn't on anyone's to-do list.

Sandy, Elizabeth and Pamela are all flawed, but along with Sam from last season, their gumption and creativity were ignored in favor of entertainment value. In some ways it's easier to take a risk and start a business in your twenties, before you've gotten established in the rest of your life; in other ways, it's much harder to establish a reputation. You might not have a lot contacts earned over a lifetime, like an experienced professional who's left the corporate world.

Apprentice 3 would be much more interesting if the two teams had to build a full-fledged business or major project, with a new task every week. Each week a different person would be cut, but the business would still need to be run. This would more effectively demonstrate the hard work and overtime necessary to start a successful small business.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Dave — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 02:47:16 -0000

At this point I am more interested to see what next season's candidates look like.

No offense, but at the beginning of this one I said "Man, it's just a bunch of lawyers!"

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

None — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 16:41:52 -0000

The world don't move to the beat of just one drum, want might be right for you, may not be right for some.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

None — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 12:26:25 -0000

NO, ralphie... not end of story... pricing the clothing too high was another mistake...seems you and Kevin are prone to mistakes...

OK, now end of story

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Ralphie — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:14:10 -0000

I don't know how it is possible to ignore Kevin's THREE task-losing mistakes:

1) Picking the wrong contractor
2) Selling the chocolate bars at a low price
3) Pricing the clothes too low at the fashion show

He's lucky he has made it this far. End of story.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Kerry — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 05:56:35 -0000

My only comment is about Jen. The reason she avoided being picked by the PM to go to the boardroom was because after each losing challenge, she aligned herself with the PM, and started blaming everyone else for the loss, basically asking "who do we want to get fired this week". Maybe it was smart of her to get her to the final two, but it does not mean she is CEO material, and Trump, being the "astute" businessman that he is, should have seen through her facade a long time ago.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Dave — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 03:04:20 -0000

"Are they really looking for an ideal apprentice or just another guy from a good university? Why bother doing the 15 week interview, just read his resume' and hire him."

Why do the interview? Because he makes millions of bucks putting the interview on TV! I am impressed by the Trump-Burnett team's ability to make money at every turn. I think it is more Burnett since Survivor uses (very successfully) the same tactics. In an age where movie placements of Pepsi and such are so annoying, Burnett gets the Survivors to compete for that prize of Pepsi and hotdogs which looks so so tasty after weeks on an island, and poses the commercial success of the Trump name and Pepsi names through a nice monologue by Trump and people competing to best sell that quality name. Ever hear an Apprentice candidate say "This product sucks"? No, it is all like celebrity endorsements, but it is so believable to hear Kelly say "Pepsi is the greatest product in the world" or Ivana say "This ice cream is the best in the country".

Dennis, give it a rest, it isn't always race. I think they would have gotten better ratings and support if they had chosen Kevin, but no executive likes someone that looks like they have no career goals and are just wandering. No clear goals seems to be a major flaw that tells executives and managers that you will never achieve anything. Interviewers always ask What are your goals.

I think Kevin is highly skilled and competant, but being a "professional student" is not up to par with his competition unfortunately. He had no reason to go to law school means he is drifting and perhaps couldn't be counted on to stick to it. Jen according the the show displayed solid reasons why she wanted to join the business world.

It does always make you wonder how much the show is scripted as to the winners and how much it is free form. Burnett has always maintained that he lets the show go free because only then can it be the most interesting. The world may never know....

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Aimbot — Sun, 12 Dec 2004 08:19:56 -0000

lol dennis one post is enough

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Dennis — Sat, 11 Dec 2004 16:13:38 -0000

Kevin was the man - best for the job and donald couldn't see it. In the world of 1% ers - the rich also showed their true colors or their hate of colors. Donald - one of the biggest companies in the world is run by a black man - UPS -UNITED PARSEL SERVICE. deal with it !!!!

DENNIS
oryan720@optonline.net

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

None — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 19:14:24 -0000

The complex issues that Trump is talking about is filling chapter 11 for his many now default businesses. I would not want to work for that guy not one bit. Especially if it means agreeing with him on evrything he says, like his two side kicks (sheTrump and grandpaTrump). He is a man that has borrowed to much and when you do that to run your biz, you are now back to just being an employee and the banks are the employers.Trump will do this show for 10 years if they let him. This show is keeping him a float (UPS, QVC, P&G etc) I bet all those companies paid Trump. With all that being said I still think he is a pretty smart guy I just disagree with his leadership style. I don't understand why you would want an entire company of yes men and women. On 2nd thought maybe I would like to work for him, you can learn a lot from people failures.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Rosemary44 — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 16:26:06 -0000

The real reason for Kevin being called a little too aggressive was because he pinned a fellow to the wall during the Crest task way back when.

Why they didn't show it probably has more to do with a lawsuit then for any other reason. A fellow was taking too many toothpastes and Kevin got into it with him. Yes, I would say that Kevin is a bit too aggressive. This info was on thefishbowl.com at the end of John's interview.

As for Kelly taking the prize, no surprise there. He's 37 with credentials and experience. Where have we heard this story before? Probably in every corporate office the world over for the past 100 years or more.

Are they really looking for an ideal apprentice or just another guy from a good university? Why bother doing the 15 week interview, just read his resume' and hire him.

Of course someone 37 with experience should finish first against 2 recent grads, a slugger, a stripper, Raj?, a motor-mouth, a good tax-payer, and need I go on?

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Ron H — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 14:00:10 -0000

Jen M didn't "step up to the plate" more because the Project Manager names were drawn out of a hat. She can hardly be faulted for not trying harder for the PM position; in fact, we were even shown her trying to get it... and being faulted (by Ivana) for THAT.

It's a lose/lose situation for Jen: when she doesn't go for the PM position, it's "because she's trying to avoid it", yet when she tries for it, her reason is "just to spite Ivana". Riiight.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Ram — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 13:56:00 -0000

Hi,

First off.. Pamela obviously knew who Chris Webber was, she was just kidding with an over-excited Chris. Did you not see how well she was familiar with the process of picking an MVP and the rules of the NBA?

I think Trump is looking for a chicken as his Apprentice-2. It was clear way-back-when in episode 2 when he fired Bradford. I thought that guy was brilliant! People here are saying Kevin was this.. Kevin was that... I beg to disagree. Kevin was lucky to survive this far... When John got fired, Kevin was lucky to survive his stupid pricing decision. Again, Bradford, upon his return, exposed the chicken that Kevin was, when he did not voluntarily accept responsibility for picking the contractor for the housing task in which Raj got fired. When he sold a candy bar for a buck, he was once again lucky to survive thanks to his romantic interest, Ivana, who was much too eager to show off her butt to him! So, Kevin deserved to go much earlier in my opinion!!

As for Jenn M, it was ridiculous to see her take credit for Ivana's creativity in the Levis task. She also came through as really vengeful by saying all those bad things about Elizabeth. Moreoever, she has repeatedly aligned and hypnotized her project manager to letting her off the hook by finger pointing others. She has stepped up to this task very well.. Trump, beware.. you may even fire George or Carolyn someday, if you align with Jenn. She is not a professional, as she proved very well in front of everyone in the last boardroom.. Trump could have very well become a national hero by saying, "Jenn.. I am looking for someone who is going to run one of my companies and not for a loudspeaker.. so Jennifer, you are fired!"

Kelly is not my favorite either... he has towered by standing on top of giants. Sandy clearly helped him win one of the tasks, he won the ice cream task mainly due to the stupid mistakes by Apex, and the other task was a combination of creative genius by Ivana and some immature mistakes by Andy. Also, I don't believe he's got the guts to be a risk taker.

Sandy was a sad story.. lack of corporate experience did her in. Also, she was the innocent one among these other manipulators. So, her education and as Trump calls it, lack of being ready to handle complex issues.. made her the penultimate candidate to be fired.

I believe a lot of stupid decisions by Trump like in the case of Bradford, Pamela, and even Raj, is going to cost Trump dearly. I would definately not like to work with either of these two finalists.

It was so elegant in Apprentice 1. The final 6 were real champs.. their attitude was tremendous. The comaraderie was there for the world to see. Even the final two, had great respect for each other and competed so nicely that everyone would love to watch over and over again! This time.. it is so mannequinal! (if there is such a word)

I wish there were a way where neither Kelly nor Jen would win and instead someone who works really sincerely and brilliantly in the final task, would win.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Harry Hammond — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 13:44:34 -0000

I love watching Apprentice. As a male, I was initially attracted by JenM's looks and her ability to remain aloof in the first few weeks of catfighting. I agree with the consensus view that she really hasn't shown much creativity. In fact-can we all agree, that in spite of his claim to have assembled the best of the best from 80 bezillion applicants, these candidates seem like pretty ordinary people. JenM boasted twice in the same argument that she proved her courage and initiative by moving across the country. O-o-o-h! I was impressed by the willingness of individuals like Troy and Sandy to go head to head with Ivy League heavy-hitters, and I think they effectively proved that education is just one of many tools we bring to the workplace. Critical thinking, consensus building, adaptability, and hey-how about ethics-these are all part of the arsenal. Trump seems conflicted by appearances. He is attracted to the individual with "credentials", and he is more forgiving of their shortfalls-to a point. He also knows the value of initiative, self-promotion, energy and creativity. That's why, last year, Bill beat Kwame. Which leads to this years dilemma. Kelly is-yes- a bit stiff. A good guy, but not extraordinary. JenM is a lightweight in every arena except appearance and communication. There is a place for her, but she's not his next CEO.

A leader must make decisions, sometimes tough ones. Donald-fire them both and hire Troy.

Re: http://blog.inc.com/archives/2004/12/the_apprentice_14.html

Conan the Grammarian — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 12:40:51 -0000

Gotta disagree with you Kal. While I'm not a big Kelly fan, JenM got into the finals based upon her boardroom skills alone. She showed a lack of professionalism by berating Wes when he tried to give advice to Elizabeth. She showed a lack of professionalism when she slacked off during the NYPD ad campaign. She showed a lack of professionalism when she tried to gang up on Sandy (with Andy).

I have issues with Kelly's professionalism, but not in regard to his dealing with JenM. He has been up front with JenM about his dislike of her. He twice told Trump in front of everyone that he did not think she was a strong candidate.

JenM has not shown leadership. She is an attorney and is skilled at argument and debate (although I'm sure she didn't learn her screeching harpy argument style at HLS).

She took charge only once. And that was because her name was drawn out of a hat.

She volunteered to lead only once. And that was only to prevent Ivana from getting the exemption that would guarantee a final four spot (and/or to get it for herself).

JenM won the dog-washing task only because Raj convinced her to open a second location.

Both Kelly and JenM made it this far by not sticking their necks out. They made safe choices and did just enough on tasks to prevent anyone from saying they did nothing. Remember last year when Kwame defended himself to Trump by saying, "I took a risk?" Neither Kelly nor JenM could say that this year.

In this final task, both Kelly and JenM are working with people who don't like them. MSNBC had an article saying none of the fired Apprenti had anything nice to say about Kelly. From the show, we know that no one seems to like or respect JenM. Their lack of relationship-building may come back to haunt both of them.

I wasn't initially disappointed by the final four, but the last episode soured me on the final two (especially since the oddsmakers have already leaked who wins). I'm really just watching the finale to see the inevitable train wreck.

Trump should fire both Kelly and JenM and hire the Pamazon! Even if she doesn't know who Chris Webber is.