The selling stuff on a home TV channel task.Both teams did terribly. The winning team sold £1500 of kit. Normally the channel sells £10,000 in an hour. And in my view it was a woeful effort. And actually it wasn’t the product choice that let them down, particularly. It was a lack of sales expertise, understanding the market and hitting the viewer with reasons not only to buy, but also to buy now.
I said he was a week 10 special. And sadly I was right. Howard has gone.
And what about Howard? I never thought he would, could or should win. That’s not to say I don’t think he’s good though. In fact I think, although he sometimes came across as a bit damp, he’s very likeable, easy to work with, sensible and has a good business brain. But the qualities he possesses are not what Sir Alan’s looking for. Shame really. But once again I think Sir Alan fired the wrong person. This time, Lorraine should have gone.
So the winning team of Yasmina, Debra and James. Terrible products but it was only Debra who managed to sell. And they only won because the other team sold so badly.
And Ignite did pick a few good products. Credit to Kate for that. The bigger ticket items do sell, if you pitch them well. But they didn’t and Lorraine blamed Howard. Which wasn’t very kind. And she reverted to her “instinct” again. It was her selling style that was terrible. Howard was very good, I thought. Very harsh of Lorraine but she played a Boardroom blinder. Incidentally, the writing was on the wall. Why? Bad editing. In the first two minutes they had a comment of Howard saying he wasn’t ready to go home. So instantly I though he was off. Shameful production, I’m afraid.
And what of Sir Alan’s motives, this time around? It’s not a game show to say “I won” – there’s a real job at the end. Really?
Anyway. Sir Alan is being left with the opportunity to pick between one person who isn’t much good and another person who isn’t very good either. Highly disappointing.
This episode should have been really funny and a great opportunity to demonstrate a range of business skills. Where was the humour? Where were the skills? And just who should be The Apprentice this time around? I guess we need to look at who’s left in the process.
Debra. Loud mouth (bitch). Kate. Sometimes competent (Empty airhead). James. Funny and likeable (Blundering buffoon). Yasmina. Probably the best all-rounder (Pushy) and Lorraine? Alan Carr in a wig.
Who’s going to win? No idea. But I think this year’s winner is female.
Next week, it’s the interviews round. Interesting is who isn’t back from Sir Alan’s “friends”…
Join me for more fun and frollox with The Apprentice Podcast
And if you really want to see how to sell on a home shopping TV channel? www.youtube.com/jamesmaxlondon