NBC.com

May 16, 2006 | permalink
Presented by Trump University

Episode Summary: This week the teams had to create interactive displays for Microsoft's X-Box 360 game system and install them in Wal-Mart stores. Executives from Microsoft and Wal-Mart would pick the winner.

Sean, Gold Rush's project manager, hired a display company to design and build a display room. Then, Sean and Lee (the team's only remaining members) sat back and waited for their room to be delivered and installed at midnight.

As Synergy's project manager, Tammy decided to create a "Red Carpet Award Show" display room. Allie and Roxanne disliked the idea and tried to undermine Tammy's leadership.

Just before midnight, Sean got a call from the man who was constructing Gold Rush's display room. He said the room would not arrive until early the next morning – not at midnight as promised. Then first thing the next morning, Sean and Lee got yet another call informing them that the roof of their display room would not be delivered until 30 minutes before the judges were to arrive. So, Lee and Sean hit the panic button and started to duct-tape their display together without waiting for the roof to arrive.

Synergy had problems, too, though less extreme. A sign that Roxanne had designed for the room was undersized and drab. When the executives arrived to judge Synergy's display, however, they seemed pleased with the women's overall effort.

The executives then went to judge Gold Rush's booth. They frowned at the sagging walls and shoddy construction. Yet, they seemed pleased that Lee and Sean had shown prices prominently and displayed MP3 players and other products that integrate with X-Box 360.

Surprisingly, Gold Rush's half-finished display won because the execs felt that it demonstrated a better understanding of retail selling.

In the boardroom for the firing, the Synergy women traded charges and counter-charges. Cutting to the core issue, Mr. Trump pointed out that Tammy had no control over her teammates. "Tammy," he said, "your leadership wasn't good, and I thought your design stank . . . Tammy, you're fired!"

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This episode taught essential lessons about producing results when the stakes are high. Let's look closer.

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When the men of Gold Rush hired an outside "expert" to build their booth, they seemed to be making a sound decision. But when the company they hired couldn't deliver the booth on time, their glee turned to despair.

Success Lesson

In do-or-die situations, don't trust unknown vendors. If you can't hire one whose work you know and trust, you're better off doing the work yourself.

* * *

When Tammy demanded that Allie and Roxanne show her more respect, she was making a strong move to assert control over her team.

Success Lesson

Don't allow insubordination. As Mr. Trump noted in his brief observation midway through this episode, it is imperative to get rid of people who undermine your authority.

* * *

When Sean made an informative, upbeat presentation in front of his team's unfinished display room, he directed the judges' attention to what he wanted them to see. The result? A win for his team, against all odds.

Success Lesson

Tell people what you want them to notice. If you don't, they will often miss things that are right in front of their eyes.

* * *

When Allie rolled her eyes behind her project manager's back, she only made herself look bad. Bill Rancic, who noticed her antics, attacked her for them during the boardroom firing. It nearly brought her down – with good reason!

Success Lesson

If you're smarter than your boss, find a constructive way to say so. Eye-rolling makes you look bad, not your boss. And insubordination will get you, not your boss, tossed out the door.

* * *

When Tammy tried to defend herself in the boardroom by saying that Allie and Roxanne were unruly, Mr. Trump realized that she was in "over her head" when supervising other people. The result? She got fired, not her subordinates.

Success Lesson

Take responsibility. When you fail, blaming the people who report to you is useless. Ultimately, you are the person in charge.

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What will happen next week? As this episode closed, everyone looked too weak to become Mr. Trump's new Apprentice. But someone will win - and the next few episodes will tell the tale.