Comments on: The Sales Apprentice 2008: Sales training tips from the hit TV show, Part I

By: Steve Hilliar

Steve Hilliar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:26:32 +0000

I do not feel Alan Sugar is a salesman. He may be successful but comes across to me as full of ego and arrogant. There is a skill set required to make sales and they are totally different depending whether they are simple sales or major sales.

By: Corporate Vigilance

Corporate Vigilance — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:59:11 +0000

April 6, 2008 Edition…

Welcome to the April 6, 2008 edition of Corporate Vigilance presenting an array of opinions, instruction, and helpful information as it relates to business and personal finance.

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By: Stephen O'Donnell

Stephen O'Donnell — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:27:16 +0000

I thought Alex defended himself well, and he di take responsibility for a team of strangers, when no-one else would do so. I think a split already existed before they even met, as all of them will have their own agenda.

In that task, I would have driven straight to the market, pricing the fish as we travelled. Once there, I would have labelled the boxes correctly, checked prices against other fish stalls that were there, and sent 4 guys out early to sell to restaurants and later to offices with pre-priced boxes. The stall only needed half of them there. At least if I’d failed, I could show there was a plan of action.

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:07:35 +0000

I LOVE the apprentice and also think this is such a great way of learning from others mistakes so you don’t do the same thing (although I don’t think I have ever used the word pauper in my life and can talk to most people about football and Art if necessary!).

I really enjoyed the last series, shouting at the TV and hiding behind the sofa, (often at the same time) and this time it looks like we are in for even more ‘obvious’ mistakes and nail biting Sir Alan moments.

I also really enjoy these updates as getting others views on what happened and opinions on the characters is such a great way to learn. However I do agree that you can’t help thinking how did some of these ‘business people’ get through to the final 12? Anyway Keep it up gang and bring on the next 11 weeks!

By: Gavin Ingham

Gavin Ingham — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:38:45 +0000

You’re certainly right about the personalities being picked for their entertainment value and about many of them being delusional. This does make the job of project manager an unenviable one as no-one ever seems to pay the slightest bit of attention to them!

By: Andy Smith

Andy Smith — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:15:47 +0000

As Gavin says, it’s all about rapport – and, I would add, emotional intelligence. What Nicholas singularly failed to do when he was called back into the boardroom was to put himself in the shoes of the only ‘customer’ who mattered at that point – Sir Alan. He seemed to be going out of his way to find points of difference between himself and the ex barrow boy and Spurs chairman!

Also, the ability to get on with other people is vital if you’re going to rise beyond a certain level. You can get a certain way in sales on just a thick skin and persistence but for any sort of management or relationship selling role you have to also have enough emotional intelligence to, at the very least, not piss off the people you are working with.

Each series of ‘The Apprentice’ has provided examples of pointless and easily-avoided squabbles leading to team paralysis – without a bit of EQ, throwing together a bunch of “strong personalities” can result in a team that’s weaker than a Starbucks latte.

Finally, like any TV programme, how each individual comes across is largely due to how they are edited. But even allowing for that, Raef, Michael and the others did say the things they did. I do wonder if, as in those auditions of delusional people paraded for our ‘entertainment’ on the X Factor, some of the candidates were chosen for their comic value rather than their business ability.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:58:22 +0000

Thanks so much for this. I think it’s a fantastic idea to use such a topical programme in order to reinforce key sales messages. Also, it’s very emotive and full of strong, (overly) confident characters which makes essential watching – Dallas hasn’t got a look in!!