Do you think the show "The Apprentice" applies to real life business situations?

Question

Or do you think it is more geared towards entertainment and is a very unfavourable source for applying to business practices today.

Feel free to state any lessons you may have learned from this show if any.

Answer 1

I watched the first few seasons of the apprentice and I did learn a lot, not just as an employee, but as a manager.

I remember one episode when the two teams were supposed to be selling ice cream (or something like that) and one of the contestants started tell the men that if they bought the ice cream she would take her skirt off. (she had little mini boy shorts underneath) Although sex does sell, and that was what ultimately made her team the money - she was fired. Mr. Trump said - and I wholeheartedly agree- that he was hiring a business apprentice not a prostitute, and ultimately you need to find a way to sell your product not the toy prize that comes with it.

Answer 2

I absolutely feel that's it realistic in today's or any other time period's business situations. It all comes down to accountability and suitability for someone in a management position.
When any of the teams fail, it almost always goes back to the project leader. This is true in all aspects of business. Whoever was ultimately in control of the situation (or supposed to have been), is the one who is responsible for it's success or failure. If they delegated appropriately, kept an eye on the key points of the project, and followed up on their responsibilities, then the project will most surely suceed. If not, then it goes belly up very fast.
The only exception to this, is when you have someone, that despite your best efforts, is a loose cannon and totally out of control, then they are the ones who sabotaged the whole thing. Sometimes this happens, but most of the time, it can undoubtedly be traced back to something that the leader did wrong.

And this doesn't just apply to projects and project leaders. If a company fails, it is usually because the person in charge (CEO, President, Chairman of the Board, etc.) did not monitor what was happening and therefore didn't make the changes necessary to get the right people in the right positions before it was too late. Or they totally blew from the start by appointing the wrong people to the position initially and therefore it took a nose dive and they couldn't correct it even by changing personnel.

A lot of people think that Trump is a total a**hole, but if you really listen to the boardroom sessions, especially when it comes down to the ones on the chopping block, he has very sound business principles. And he will recognize leadership ability and good business strategy every time. He would not be in the position that he's in today if he constantly screwed things up the way those candidates do, and they are applying for a position in his company heading multi-million and billion dollar projects. He has to apply certain principles to his analysis of their skills and capabilities.
By the way, he and his daughter, graduated from the Wharton School of Business, which is almost the best in the U.S., if not the best. It's very elite and hard to get into if you aren't completely on top of your game.

Answer 3

From my past business experience this is definitely how some real situations are put together but usually with a longer period of time to get ready for a deadline. It is neat to see how these people get it done in such a short amount of time. I think it is definitely educational.

I like to watch this show to see the projects and how the contestants deal with the situation. In the recent seasons they have not shown how much money they are given to spend and them getting absolutely everything together. I kind of miss seeing that part of the show. It seems they have to edit alot out to get the show into 40 minutes of tv time. It seems they are doing their work over a day or two but I am not sure how long they are given.

When there are projects that are similar to past show projects you can tell which teams have done their homework because they know what has or hasn't worked in the past.

The people who can speak well and work with other people well seem to do the best. You have to be able to sell, sell, sell. No matter what you do you are always selling something.

Answer 4

I see a little bit of both but more entertainment in the current season.

Many of the previous winners work in sales and marketing positions for Mr. Trump and the last two Apprentices, Randall and Sean, are probably the best all-around contestants who have ever appeared on the show. Both Randall and Sean are intelligent and creative men who are geniuses at Marketing. Randall and Sean pulled off marketing miracles with little resources, demoralized staff and poor weather conditions (Randall's handling of a rainstorm at a celebrity auction).

Trump wants people who think outside the box. Randall, Sean and others can perform to Trump's expectations. While Trump has a large ego, he places that ego aside if economic damage is likely to result. Derek learned that lesson the hard way when he wore his emotions on his sleeve only to get sent home immediately.

A lot of contestants appear to fold under the pressure - especially those who have sales and marketing positions in the outside world. In those positions, one is forced to think inside the box and one gets the message that he/she is replaceable if one does not sell - albeit he/she gets months or years before that point is reached (he/she usually quits long before that point is reached). In each task, Trump narrows the timeline down to days and forces the losing teams to sleep in tents rather than Trump's 5th Avenue luxury apartments. So, when Jenn approves Derek's lame suggestion of go-carts for marketing a Lexus - either Jenn didn't make the connection that Lexus and go-carts don't mix or she allowed Derek to set herself up for the fall. I thought Derek was going to be one of the final 2 but I wasn't surprised to see him go. Jenn was set-up to be project manager and lost. Surya is undefeated as project managet but has no respect among his team members - especially Frank, Tim, James and Nicole.

Now this Nicole and Tim romance - I see one of them being moved to the other team and that will probably be Nicole. Too bad there are no Apprentice spoiler sites.

Answer 5

Only if you want to work for an arrogant megalomaniac.