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Apprentice Blog
The Official Apprentice Blog with comments and editorial by former Apprentice Winners and Trump University Faculty.
Celebrity Apprentice: Lessons Learned from Episode Twelve
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!
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12 Comments Post a comment
The Back-street-boys....really lost us on their vision(s) of the reality of charity in the celebrity world.It really made them look stuipid on how they get caught-up in the materlistic values of showbiz. This was for charity....and they did not really even know the famous country singer Tracy Adkins. Were they stupid or just giving Tracy a hard time? Eithier way...we lost respect.
What we would have done...hired Tracy for a sold out charity concert. At least he understands the world of charity. We love both of them(Piers and Tracy)....they will do great!
Why, well isn't Trace all about food allergies, who needs drugs in that equation, though if anyone could impress upon teen kids not to do drugs maybe Trace is your man.
Okay so the building next door could hear me cheer to see Marilou back. Lennox referred to her as everyone's mother with her want for perfection. I have to say though I am second guessing my support for Marilou now if she in fact invited those Backstreet Boys to the show. Though in my mind she could have potentially effected a wonderful opportunity to promote sober living standards. I don't know if that is her intention, as it would seem on a close up her pupils were pin holes. I have to be honest and when I make a mistake I will be the first to say so. Perhaps the camera's had avoided these facts earlier.
I cheered when Lennox was dismissed, he is not Mohammad Ali by any stretch of the imagination, and I feel he is not fitting for Mr Trump's tasks. He didn't give me any sort of inspiration or challenge for my intellectual thirst for knowledge and wealth.
Finally my most important point to make in this article regards Piers. The question was posed in his interview, what mistakes would you fix, Piers stated he made no mistakes. I would elaborate on that answer to improve it. Recently we were discussing the duties of first responders, someone had been patting me on the back for a job well done. In that conversation I said, I never second guess myself in the moment, only after when I have gone home do I replay each decision in my mind. I do this because as a first responder you have to be confident, gentle, safe, and above all the reliable. Second guessing my work on site would be a disaster.
Perhaps this is the notion Piers had in his mind, but with so much to conjugate in the show he tripped up in that question's scenario. Regardless, not the best answer to the question Piers.
I can't wait to see Trace grow a pair next week and take the bull by the horns with those lil kids who eat weed grass. He thought he was suppose to fight with Piers I think he is suppose to fight those squirrelly lil drug users.
2nd, it's wheat grass, not weed grass. You were joking, right, lightwayvez?
Why were the Backstreet Boys acting like that? That was so campy! That was a joke, right? They knew who Trace was! C'mon! That had to be scripted. They couldn't be that stupid! Or, could they? Bands don't act like that anymore. And, if they do, that would explain why the Backstreet Boys don't get many gigs. All of that posturing and diva-like attitude is frowned upon these days. But, I guess people will do whatever they can for attention. It's like they got stuck in some kind of time warp...and stopped changing with the rest of the world. Their manager was an idiot.
I felt bad for Lennox in that interview with Jim Cramer. He's obviously never seen Jim's show. However, after Cramer guested on C.A. that time, you would think that the contestants would take the time to find out who he was, and why he was chosen to be there. Lennox still made some mad money for his charity, so all was good for him.
Stephen must have really had some leftover hostility for Piers. Why would he try to help Piers win, after Piers was the reason he was going to quit so many episodes back? I thought it was funny. I don't think Stephen is worried about whether or not he looked bad for not trying harder. I think that he had his own score to settle with Mr. Morgan. Yes, he did his best to get along with Piers, but he had to be true to his own feelings first. I know... don't hold a grudge. Mr. Trump certainly does. Maybe he was just emulating The Donald's behavior.
Carol said all of the right things, and would have been a good contender, but I think she is a better talker than walker. Remember QVC? Hello! She didn't speak up about the installment plan? She's a good bull**** artist.
I think that it will be a good showdown between Trace and Piers. Piers wants to "use" the soldiers as "props," though... wearing their uniforms. Yes, that's nice, because he will be winning money for their charity. Okay, never mind... that was a clever idea. It's actually a brilliant idea. He's just so diabolical! I hate him.
I hope that the cowboys come through for Trace. He should slap those Backstreet Boys around, and tell them to bring their own coolers full of stuff. It's a CHARITY event, idiots! Unbelievable! They can bring their own damn wheat grass... and donate money...and like it! That's what I would tell them. Be lucky you're getting the exposure! When was the last time they got this much exposure? 1999? Honestly, that was pathetic!
Look forward to the grand finale! Ciao!
I know first hand,for the last three years my none wife and a friend have put together a Comedy Event for the LI 2 DAY Breast cancer walk. The event had started small and sold out every year. This year the girls steped up to get the Atlantis Marine World in riverhead Long Island on April 6th with a max of five hundred people, and I hope it will sell out again. Charity is just that.The Back Street Boys and I mean Boys need to think more Charitable.I know who ever looses or wins this task are bolth WINNERS! because they are fighting for the Charity they believe in. I have enjoyed every moment of this seasons Celebrity Apprentice and every Celebrity have shown to be true professionals in every sense and true to their Charities.
Best Regards
Ray Czenszak
The Backstreet Boys have been my favorte group for almost 14 years. While I have never met them. I have seen them live 8 times and they are the best!!! This past episode really outraged me. Why do you inccorage people to act like stuck up snobs. This is not like BSB to act like that. Im sure that was all a act and that was worng of you to inccrage them to act like snobs. I had looked forward to them being on your show because my father was diagnosed with a agresive form of Bladder Cancer that has spread to his Prostate just a couple weeks ago and knowing that BSB would be on your show cheered me up. So it made it that much more upseting that this is how they were told they had to act like. You made them look awfull.
It has been a great season and I am looking forward to the final. In this respect, I would like to see the competitions involve a little more time factoring. For example, as you all well know, sometimes it's the team or organization who puts out a product/service/campaign first who is the winner.
This does not mean that you have to do this in record time; it only means that you do it faster than your opponent. Theoretically, the military describes this decision cycle as an OODA Loop -- observation; orientation; decision; analysis. As long as I act/react inside the opponent's decision cycle (faster than he can act/react), I will win.
As such, I would like to see the competitions challenge the team's decision cycle timing. For example, the teams get briefed on the task. It involves getting a product to market but it must be approved by the client. The team must get this to market before the other team. However, they must get approval from the client via a briefing; present a marketing plan; develop a prototype or model; and sell it to a major distributor or wholesaler. The winning team is the one that gets to the finish line first.
While I realize that Celebritiy Apprentice is for charitable purposes, a spirited competition in this manner would infuse added pressure and general pathos to the competition. Sometimes you just have 30 minutes to become an expert in something--you don't have to do the best you can; you just have to do it better than the competition.
Thank you for a fantastic show!
But what difference does that make? The Back Street Boys seem's to be the most talked about ...regarding that episode.
And Trace had is hands full for no reason with them, unless it was staged. But, then that does not make sense eithier. It's a charity event. Not the otherway around to cater to the Back-Street Boys. We loved that group...but something changed. We even have seen a group member on a crusade. He was not like that at all...we were very inspired to here his testimony. Something changed... There is something wrong.
At the end of the day, Trace and Piers do act like very, very professional celebritys and do a very, very good job. Even working as a team for charity?
the body language. When Trace was talking to the Backstreet
Boys, they looked arrogant instead of happy for the opportunity
to be on a major television show. They certainly didn't show
any respect for another person engaged in the music industry.
I would rather have seen Dolly Parton sing for the charity. She
is professional, fun, and gives 100% to her audiences.
I'm willing to bet that she would draw a crowd who is familiar
with the Art of Fundraising, and has the money to give
generously. Since when, does the Backstreet Boys have a
good reputation as a "must see" fundraiser?
When selecting people for a charity event it is good business
to use the people who are already known for charity events.
The Backstreet Boys don't cut it with the over 50 generation,
who are Excellent and very generous people for a worthy
cause such as Trace's.
People to invite to this event should also include people
who are directly affected and the charity directors who
control the funds. They have a personal interest in making
the event a success. Don't you think?
Will Omarosa talk jiberish again or will she have the courage to come forward and let us know what is really on her mind.
We all went grocery shopping today and went splits on snacks and drinks since the schedule shows that the finale will be two hours long tonight ?
In Jasper National Park we are going to make a party of it, in advance Carla says Cheers !
Looking forward to next season when Mr Trump invites Canada to his show -ahem *nudge E.T should be at the top of your list of contenders or perhaps he should be the judge :)