Welcome to the 26 April, 2009 edition of the Get International Clients Sunday Blog Carnival.

International Business

Ralph Jean-Paul presents Building Self-Discipline posted at Potential 2 Success, saying, “The most disciplined business peopl…

Enjoy reading your comments/blog as my profession has little to do with sales but I am always keen to learn.

Clearly, the BBC doesn’t think that “real” business people would make good TV – and the researchers are obviously attracted to outlandish statements and soundbites hence why we hear so many of them peppering the show. I could save them 6 weeks and halve the number (or better) right now… as I am sure Sir Alan, you, the man in the pub, AN Anyone could have done by the end of the first show.

Gavin

Been a bit slow this week catching up on the blog front but strangely find myself looking forward to Wednesday eve now the show is back on screen (is this really the best the BBC can offer?) – I guess like most Im compeled to watch for the laughs and lessons but am continually disapointed in the researchers strive to find people who are more into being “Celeb’s” than apprentices!

Anyway what happend to good old honesty when faced with a great buying signal from John Lewis something like “As you know we are new to this, what are your typical exclusive arrangements like?” or simply “What do you have in mind”

Keep up the good work
Neil

Difficult to say whether she went in at the right level because it would depend entirely on knowing that market and the likely volumes, the genuine levels of interest and the conversations that had gone on that we did not see. You’re right, the rest of the conversation would have been interesting but I tend to agree with you that her acting decisively was probably the right thing to do given that the alternative was some sort of recess for a conversation. The client’s reaction and quick negotiation to her, interrupting her and using few words would suggest that he wanted to negotiate not sit around whilst they chatted.

Also, despite his comments that the offer was not realistic he went on and negotiated and then bought so it wasn’t so bad that it stopped the deal. As for who goes next week, who knows? There are a lot of people that we have not seen much of yet – are they superstars or super disasters?

Gavin

James for the chop next week!

Phil

You’re not wrong, Ben certainly has enthusiasm but then our Apprentices are rarely short of that. Time will tell as to whether he is a pumped up, preening, “pretty boy” or whether he can channel that enthusiasm in a useful direction. Certainly, James had little handle on or control of the situation and appeared somewhat emotional (as he was the other week too).

Philip’s idea looked really good -quick search shows it doesn’t seem to be available in John Lewis yet. On the Apprentice they have always switched the cameras off just as the negotiations and presentations get interesting. No doubt this is because they don’t like to stay focused on any one scene for more than a few minutes incase they bore the general public but it does mean that we miss some juicy bits…

I would love to have known what went on at the end of that negotiation. Yasmina’s intervention was decisive and positive and, as you say, the result speaks for itself. Kind of went some way to make up for her over enthusiasm on cutting food costs last week…

Gavin

thanks again for your usual incisive take on The Apprentice – if I take out a contract on Adrian Chiles could you step in?

I thought Ben showed commendable enthusiasm and had plenty of ideas but needed a cooler head and steady hand to keep him in check – and James is none of those things.

I was impressed that Philip’s idea developed into the ‘bum rocker’ (he is way too good to be an estate agent) and I loved Yasmina’s intervention with a positive offer. John Lewis’s reaction was classic negotiation and , as you say, a pity they turned the camera off at that point. The result spoke for itself, despite Nick’s misunderstanding of negotiation. Of course you start high – otherwise you have nowhere else to go.

On the whole a more enjoyable and educative Apprentice than usual.

PS: Debra’s expression is the result of years of not showing her contempt too openly!

kind regards and best wishes,
Ken Grayling