I couldn't help it. I was flipping channels and came across the British edition of The Apprentice. I loved The Donald so I thought why not. In The Donald's place we have Sir Alan Sugar, founder of Amstad Computers. He is just as tough talking as they come. He also has his trusty side kicks to be his "eyes & ears". The applicants are 7 men and 7 women all from business backgrounds. Some have degrees, some don't and some had left high school early to pursue a career.
Sir Alan comes right out and tells the applicants not to flip their hair for him or pull a "handsome" attack, he doesn't like it when people try to use their looks to influence him. He also doesn't like bull sh!tters or liars. Aren't they the same thing? Among the applicants is a property developer, a charity fundraiser, a head hunter and a hotel manager among others.
It's guys against the gals and the guys pick Impact as their name while the women are already at each other over a name. They finally settle on First Forte. After a little libation, the applicants get a call to meet Sir Alan across town. Good thing they have drivers. They meet at a newspaper printing shop and Sir Alan gives them their first assignment - sell flowers. They are given 500 pounds to buy flowers at a wholesaler beginning the next morning.
They go back to the house and the guys come up with strategies with Tim as their project manager. Saira is the PM for the women and they again start arguing thinking one knows better how to sell flowers than the next. If anyone would know flowers, you would think it would be the women.
At the flower mart, the women take way too much time choosing the flowers. Adenicke tells Saira that she wants to target funeral homes and hospitals. Saira flat out says no and opts to sell the flowers on a not very busy street. If you are going to sell flowers on the street, would'nt you pick one that has some traffic?
The guys are having better luck with Paul selling door to door. Paul is begging people to buy his flowers. If begging doesn't work, he resorts to sympathy or down right guilt to get his flowers sold. This guy is good, he could sell ice to an Eskimo!
After 3 hours, the women have only sold 3 bunches of flowers. Miranda panics and goes against Saira and sells her share of the flowers to another wholesaler well below cost. Saira finally kicks into gear on a busier street. With a "in your face" sales style (politely, of course), she sells the rest of the flowers.
The guys win the challenge by 200 pounds. Their reward is a champagne catered ride on the London Eye. In the boardroom, Sir Alan is disappointed that the women didn't figure out their strategy the night before instead of wasting time that morning. Saira chooses Miranda and Adenicke to go into the boardroom with her. All three throw each other under the bus but Adenicke is the one who gets fired for not selling enough.
Sir Alan does a good "you're fired". This is going to be a good show, British style. Double D
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