Apprentice Blog

Only two of the original 14 celebrities left standing...for the prize of $1 million going to the Celebrity Apprentice’s chosen charity! Again, congratulations to Mark Burnett and Donald Trump for bringing much-needed attention to some really amazing charities.

Task: For this season’s finale the celebrities had to work together to run a charity auction and concert event. The final two would be evaluated on who raised the most money in the auction and on ticket sales.

Team Trace: Trace Adkins chose Lennox and Marilu to help him provide the catering, entertainment and decor for the event. The special musical guests at the event were the Backstreet Boys, or as Trace liked to refer to them - the BSBs. It became clear very quickly that a big issue for Trace would be providing all the special items the BSBs wanted in their dressing room - like special peanut butter, black fingernail polish and wheatgrass juice!

Team Piers: Piers Morgan chose Stephen Baldwin as his first pick and ended up with Carol Alt as the last pick for his team. Carol was responsible for the auction and catering. Piers was running a charity auction and his strategies were to get some really amazing prizes up for bid and to bring in some of the wounded soldiers from his charity, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Key Success Factor - Keep Your Cool Under Pressure!

Piers - Over the course of the task, Stephen and Piers had a special moment in the van and apologized to each other for their earlier issues. But with three hours to go, Piers began to panic because Stephen couldn’t get anyone to commit to come to the event. Piers made the decision early on to give away a lot of tickets to wounded soldiers, so they could be at the event and set the tone for why people should bid. Piers also used the tactic of trying to get the wait staff to reduce the food and increase the alcohol to loosen up the crowd’s wallets to hopefully raise more money. Some interesting tactics that would reinforce what people thought about him - but which could also prove to be effective at pumping up the numbers.

Trace - He was depending on his country music star friends to support him. Quite a few did show up, including Ronnie Milsap and Montgomery Gentry. A lot of the logistics of getting the stage set up really started getting to Trace. However, his wife showed up with his two little girls and he realized what was really important and settled back into his “groove.” But just as he was settling down, one of the BSBs twisted his knee and Trace had to figure out where to find a knee brace and some wheatgrass juice to ensure they would perform.

The Auction Starts - Big $s Count!

The auction brought in a lot of money.

Some highlights for Piers’s side...

• Christie’s Auction House - $18K!
• Tea with the Duchess of York - $100K!
• Dinner with Trace Adkins - $6K for Ivanka!
• A Night with the Osbourne’s - $100K!
• Shopping with Ivanka Trump - $100K by none other than Simon Cowell!

Things looked pretty good for Piers...and you could tell Trace was sweating.

The Concert Kicks into Gear and the BSBs Take the stage

The audience really got into the concert and the event was an overall success. The six contestants shared a moment watching the BSBs and Trace and Piers both expressed their strong feelings about the collective team.

The Taped Boardroom Begins!

• Lennox - said they have different styles, but he picked Trace as his favorite.
• Carol - said Piers was the best because he raised almost $300K more for the auction than Trace.
• Stephen - said he didn’t agree with Piers’ methodology of trying to get bidders drunk so they would put more money into the auction.

Live Boardroom

In the live Boardroom, Piers and Trace both had their supporters. Everyone felt pretty strongly that Trace was the “good guy” and Piers was the evil business guy. Gene Simmons put his vote in for Trace via “closed circuit” in his typical genius and insolent manner - while on a break from filming a new movie in Japan.

Trace was supporting The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, which helps educate and find solutions for people with severe food allergies. And the audience was lucky enough to hear Trace sing his #1 hit “You’re gonna miss this!”

Piers was supporting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund Center, which provides prosthetics and therapy for severely wounded soldiers. Piers felt strongly that there is no greater or better sacrifice than supporting those who have defended our country. The wounded soldiers at the live event got a standing ovation from the crowd.

Both celebrities made very eloquent statements about why they should have won. But Donald made the correct decision and picked Piers as the Celebrity Apprentice, even though Donald acknowledged Trace’s amazing qualities, because of Piers’ effectiveness in business. I guess the lead-in tagline still holds true: It isn’t personal, it’s business!

But the biggest winners of all were...all the charities that received additional exposure and the more than $1M raised because of this season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Congratulations to all the Celebrities!

Episode Summary:

Piers Morgan becomes the first Celebrity Apprentice!

This season’s finale gave viewers three great experiences in one. First, it showed highlights of the season. Second, it delivered blow-by-blow coverage of Piers and Trace as they completed the season’s final task. And third, it took us live to the boardroom, where Mr. Trump named Piers the winner. What a blockbuster show!

Prerecorded footage showed Piers and Trace as they battled to win this season’s final task - a charity auction. It was interesting to see how both men made good on the strategies that they developed for winning the task. Trace held the line against the Backstreet Boys’ unreasonable requests and got them to present an excellent stage show. And Piers’ strategy work beautifully too. His high-end contacts spent tremendous sums of money at the auction. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, paid $200,000 for two of the prizes. And Simon Cowell was happy to bid $100,000 to go shopping with Ivanka Trump.

When the auction earnings were totaled, Piers had brought in $376,000, to Trace’s $64,000; Trace had sold $38,000 worth of tickets to the event, compared to $12,000 for Piers. Yet the competition was about more than money. When the two men got to the boardroom firing (held live onstage this week), Mr. Trump also explored how well they had handled all the aspects of the charity event. Mr. Trump then brought the season’s other celebrity contestants onto the stage and polled them about whether Piers or Trace should win.

Finally, both contestants made compelling appeals to Mr. Trump about their charities. Trace explained the anguish that a food allergy had caused his family, and spoke compellingly about the importance of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. And to drive home the importance of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Piers invited wounded veterans onto the stage. Their appearance brought tears to the eyes of many members of the live audience.

With only a minute remaining in the show, Mr. Trump showered Trace with well-deserved praise for being such a wonderful human being. But Piers’ stellar performance in every task of the season won the day - and Mr. Trump named him Celebrity Apprentice.

This season, Celebrity Apprentice raised more than $1 million for the contestants’ charities - a sum that Mr. Trump augmented with an additional $250,000 of his own.

* * *

This season finale proved that doing business and doing good really can go hand in hand. Let’s take a closer look.

* * *

When Trace’s wife and two adorable daughters showed up only minutes before the start of the charity event, he was overcome with tears. Then he calmed down and refocused on getting the Backstreet Boys to present a great show.  

Success Lesson

Remember why you are building your success. It’s not for greed or dollars. It’s an expression of care for the people you love.

* * *

When Piers got his high-flying contacts to open their wallets and hearts again this week, he reminded us that you don’t have to build your success entirely on your own. The people who respect you will be glad to lend you support.

Success Lesson

Ask people for help. And do it with your head held high. They will feel good to help you - and you’ll build your success at the same time.

* * *

When Piers invited a group of injured veterans onto the stage, he brought the audience to its feet.  

Success Lesson

Fight for causes that are bigger than you are. If you serve others as unswervingly as Piers did this season, you will enjoy personal success too.

And a final thought about this season . . .

When Mr. Trump created Celebrity Apprentice,he decided that the all the prize money would go to charities. Tito’s charity supported children, Stephen’s supported breast cancer - and the list goes on and on. It was an entertaining season - but the fact that it helped so many people made it stand head and shoulders higher than most any other program on the airwaves.

We look forward to future seasons of Celebrity Apprentice. See you there!

So here we are! Down to episode 12 of Celebrity Apprentice, all waiting to see who the final two will be. And as we wait, let me first start out by saying that if you think there are no real lessons in business in this show, you are dead wrong! I have been doing my business coaching for over five years now and I have built a great business, all on the lessons and errors being shown with these celebrities. So pay close attention, you just may learn something yet!

The show opens with all four contestants going through a barrage of interview questions from Mr. Trump’s henchmen Cramer and Burnett, who he had picked to ask the questions to the remaining group about why they think their charity is the best.

After the nail-biting and tongue-twisting questions, the interviews are over and Mr. Trump has to make his decision between Carol, Lennox, Trace and Piers.

In a question-and-answer stage in the boardroom with Mr. Trump himself and the four on the other side, there seem to be two who shine through. They show Mr. Trump it’s all about good ole fashioned hard work and PT. No not Physical Training, but yes Pearce and Trace!

Mr. Trump, in his own words, just needs to see the two of them go at it. So he fires Carol and Lennox and decides to pit the USA against the UK - or as he says, good vs. evil.

The next morning both men get their task and assignment.  But as they are listening to the assigned task, they are told this is so big they will need help so Mr. Trump brings back some old faces, and some not so old. In come Stephen, Marilu, Carol and Lennox back from the firing hell hole they were sent to. Each man can have two people on his team and of course, Trace takes Lennox and Marylou and the other two reluctantly go on the side of Piers.

The task is to generate auction items to be sold off to the highest bidders, and to organize a concert for, well I hate to say it, but for the Backstreet Boys. I know what you’re thinking, because Trace said it himself: “Are they the Backstreet Men now?”

Needless to say both Trace and Piers take the task on full force and head off in their separate directions to start the completion on the mission at hand.

There is no question in anyone’s mind that Piers will raise the most money. But will he organize his half of the task well enough to impress Mr. Trump? If you have been watching all this season, you know what it all comes down to in Mr. Trump’s mind - Does he want a great money-maker like Piers, with lousy leadership and management skills? Or does he want a proven leader, loyal to a fault with strong management skills, but not as great at raising money? I say we should poll this one. Which is better in your mind, and why?

Anyway, back to the task. Piers goes on a favor-calling tour to contact as many celebrities as he knows to donate their time, services and efforts to be auctioned off at the event. Of course, as always, he lands a big one in the Duchess of York who agrees to help a fellow Englishman in his attempt to win.

Meanwhile, Trace is back at the war room going through the list of requirements the Backstreet Boys have sent in for the event. Trace seems a little taken aback by all the requirements and decides he should meet them in person to ask if they really need all the things they are asking for.

As he gets there and starts talking to them, you quickly see both Trace and the boys are from two different worlds. Trace is from earth and the boys are from a world of “used to be and once was.” The boys not only refuse to back down on their requests, they even ask Trace if he can supply them with wheatgrass for energy before the show . . . The look on Trace’s face says it all. Trace decides the time spent with the boys was lost time that he will never get back, and he moves on in contacting his friends and celebrity list to come to the auction.

The cliffhanger is, who will win, and how bad will the loss be? You’ll just have to stay tuned and watch next week when it’s down to the bull or the bullies.

Episode Summary:

The final four became the final TWO!

Only Carol, Lennox, Piers and Trace remained as this week’s episode began. But just as the four contestants were getting ready to do battle, Mr. Trump delivered a surprise. They would all undergo a grilling by two leading business commentators, Erin Burnett and Jim Cramer. Erin and Jim would then name two people for Mr. Trump to fire. In only two hours, only two finalists would remain!

Erin and Jim interviewed the candidates, then singled out Piers and Lennox to be fired. But Mr. Trump fired Lennox and Carol instead. He said that wanted to see Piers and Trace do battle in the final task.

Mr. Trump then announced the final project. There would be a major charity event, and the two men would supervise different aspects of it. One of them would handle the catering and a live charity auction; the other would manage the décor and the Backstreet Boys, who would perform at the event. The winner would be picked based on his ability to 1) sell tickets to the event; 2) raise money; and 3) handle his assigned tasks.

Then Mr. Trump brought back Carol, Lennox, Marilu and Stephen to help Piers and Trace. New teams were chosen. Trace’s would include himself, Lennox and Marilu. Piers got Carol and Stephen.

Piers and Trace divided up responsibilities. Piers would handle the auction and catering. Trace would manage entertainment, décor and food. 

Piers went to see Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York - the famous “Fergie” - who promised to bring in money. Trace chartered two jets to fly country celebrities to New York. His goal was to “fill the room with cowboy hats.” He also asked his country contacts to contribute guitars and other collectibles to be auctioned.

Stephen started to try to get celebrities to attend the event, but simply stopped trying when his contacts were not available on short notice. And Trace was having a tough time with the Backstreet Boys, who were demanding two dressing rooms equipped with a lavish assortment of drinks and health foods.

The charity event will not be shown until next week, but as this week’s episode drew to a close, the battle lines are drawn. Can Piers bring in enough bucks to score a win? And can Trace rein in the Backstreet Boys and bring off a blockbuster show?  We’ll know next week!

* * *

This week’s episode taught important lessons about winning when the stakes are high. Here’s a closer look.

* * *

When Lennox seemed uneasy during hisinterviews with Erin and Jim, his lack of polish gave his competitors a critical advantage.  

Success Lesson

Always have an “elevator speech” ready. It’s a short, well-rehearsed explanation of your accomplishments and plans. Write one and practice it - it can be critical to your success.

* * *

At the props house, Lennox kept yelling “Done!” to force Marilu to make quick decisions about décor for the event. He was trying to stop her from repeating her scattered performance on the QVC task a few weeks ago.

Success Lesson

Yes, Lennox came on too strong. But sometimes you have to act forcefully to prevent colleagues from repeating crippling mistakes.

* * *

When Stephen simply stopped trying to get celebrities to attend the charity event, he showed a total lack of initiative that will permanently tarnish his image as an Apprentice contender. Sure, he couldn’t get James Gandolfini or Ben Stiller to come to the phone - but why did he stop trying there?

Success Lesson

Never say die! Your ability todig deeper and solve problems ultimately determines your success.

* * *

When Piers decided to give 20 valuable event tickets to wounded veterans, he was hoping that their presence would inspire people at the event to support his charity.

Success Lesson

Lofty goals and business success really can go hand-in-hand. When you see an opportunity to do well by doing good, explore it.

* * *

When the Backstreet Boys presented Trace with an unreasonable list of demands, he told them flat-out that there was no way he could meet their requirements in time for the event.

Success Lesson

Be assertive and say no. Whenpeople are being unreasonable, say so fast - and then explain why. You have to set guidelines quickly about what you can and cannot do.

# # #

What will happen next week? It will be one of the most explosive Apprentice finales ever. See you there!

Episode Summary:

As this week’s episode began, only five celebrities were still in the running. They were Stephen and Trace at team Empresario; and Carol, Lennox and Piers at Hydra.

The teams designed sandwiches for Quiznos, and then sold them without calling on any of their high-powered friends. That meant sheer salesmanship and pavement pounding as they couldn’t rely on any big spenders to pay big bucks for a single sandwich. Whoever sold the most sandwiches would win.

At Empresario, Trace stepped up at project manager. Although he has brought in a lot of money for his team during past tasks, he’s yet to earn money for his charity with a win as project manager. At Hydra, it was Lennox’s turn again as team leader. He took the helm with the ever-present Piers offering suggestions at every turn.

When it came time to create their sandwiches, the teams took different tacks. Team Hydra chose to make only a minor modification to Quiznos’ most popular sandwich: a fairly basic turkey and cheese concoction. They named it the Champ Sandwich after, who else, but their resident champ, Lennox. Over at Empresario, Trace came up with something much more original, a unique sirloin creation called the Cowboy Club.

Both teams took to the streets early to promote their sandwiches. At Empresario, they immediately had flyers printed up (featuring both Trace and Stephen in cowboy hats) and were handing them out well before selling time started. Things were rockier at Hydra where the flyers didn’t come through until minutes before the sandwiches were ready to be sold.

Both teams seemed to do a good job drawing people into their restaurants. Hydra used the Lennox star power, promising autographs and photos with the boxer to anyone who bought a sandwich. While Hydra’s Piers was yelling like a carnival barker, over at Empresario Trace had a much more laid-back approach, wooing customers in a calmer, more low-key way.

Although it looked like both teams had a steady stream of customers, in the end Hydra won, selling 313 Champ Sandwiches to Empresario’s 253 Cowboy Clubs. In the boardroom, Trace was willing to take the blame for the loss. “I made every call. I called every shot,” he admitted to Mr. Trump. “The onus is on me completely today.”

But Ivanka pointed out that Trace has consistently raised more money on every other task than Stephen and, when Mr. Trump asked who wanted this more, Trace spoke up and emotionally spoke about how much he wanted to win for his charity. In the end, although Trace was project manager and had led his team to a loss, Mr. Trump felt that his past performance made him more valuable than Stephen, so Stephen was the one to go.

* * *

This week’s episode taught important lessons about marketing and self-promotion. Let’s take a closer look.

* * *

Hydra stuck with Lennox as its celebrity draw and sold a variation of Quiznos’ most popular sandwich. Instead of trying something new, they marketed with tried and true.

Success Lesson
Don’t mess with what works. As Ivanka pointed out, there was no need to reinvent the wheel. And it worked. People flocked to see Lennox and they bought the sandwich in droves.

* * *

When Lennox took over as project manager, Piers immediately began throwing out ideas left and right. Carol complained that Piers always tries to take control but Lennox stayed cool and took the suggestions that were good ones.

Success Lesson
Be willing to listen. Very few good leaders lead by dictatorship. When your team members have something to say, hear them out. In this case, Piers has had lots of good ideas in the past and his ideas - to use Lennox and a twist on the best-selling sandwich - probably won the task for Hydra.

* * *

When it was down to Trace and Stephen in the boardroom, Trace gamely took the blame for losing the task. However, he quietly pointed out that he thought overall he was a more valuable player who had raised more money in the past than Stephen. 

Success Lesson
Know your track record. Everyone makes mistakes. But don’t let one poor performance take you down. In a professional manner, remind people about your past success and hopefully, as in Trace’s case, your past performance will outweigh one bad outing.

* * * 

Also, when Mr. Trump was in the boardroom deciding Stephen and Trace’s fate, Stephen talked to Trace about his likability. “I think they like you more than they like me,” he said, matter-of-factly. Even Mr. Trump commented about the cowboy, “He doesn’t talk much but, when he does talk, it’s something special.”

Success Lesson
Be likable. In the cutthroat world of business, this seems like some unusual advice. But in this situation, it was apparent that Trace’s likability had a lot to do with the fact that he earned a spot in the final four while Stephen was fired.

# # #

What will happen next week? When the final four candidates were announced, Mr. Trump called Trace, Piers, Lennox and Carol back into the boardroom and announced that four more would go home before the end of the evening. He gave no hint about how he’d decide which two would stay but the remaining four are all strong contenders. Piers is probably the most colorful, bombastic player but at this point, it’s anyone’s game.