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Omarosa's Predictions and Observations...for Season Two
Check back each week for Omarosa's commentary!
Episode 10
Lead by Example, Chris! Not by Complaining!
Chris was designated as project manager by Donald Trump. Trump wanted Chris to lead by example. In order to mend the damage that he caused to his team in the previous boardroom, Chris called a meeting with his team. He gave a bonehead theory of the situation in only a way that Chris could, utilizing the all too popular Apprentice adage, "We are not here to be friends." His negative energy did not sit well with his team, who had no vested interest in seeing him succeed as project manager. They knew that if he failed at this task, he would be vulnerable for termination from the game. Meanwhile, Kelly was randomly selected as project manager of Team Mosaic, a position sought by Andy.
The teams were instructed to meet Trump in Central Park the next day. Trump informed them that they would be charged with the task of transforming an empty storefront into a bridal salon in order to hold an exclusive sale. The team that was able to generate the greatest profit would win.
Trump acknowledged that Mosaic had a clear advantage with Sandy as a team member since she worked in the bridal industry. He also poked fun at himself as a result of all of his experience with weddings, including his upcoming nuptials to his fiancé Melania.
In the previous season of The Apprentice, our team saw a very similar advantage in the restaurant task. Kristi Frank, a restaurant owner, offered our team a huge advantage over team Versacorp, who lacked someone in the area. On that task, the men still performed well, but Kristi served as the key to our victory.
Kelly acknowledged and accepted that this was Sandy's area of expertise so he allowed her to take charge while still managing the overall project logistics. Sandy knew how important it was to get inventory for the sale, so she made that her first order of business. The advertising of the sale was left to Maria and Wes.
Chris took a different approach to his sales strategy. He offered vendors (by phone) a consignment set up with a profit sharing fee structure. Not a bad strategy considering the limited time frame of the task. Chris knew how important a victory was in this situation so he tried to carry the total load of the task on his back. He did not delegate responsibilities effectively. He exhibited a very negative defeatist approach to managing the task that only served to deflate his team.
This being Sandy's area of expertise allowed her to shine. In total she was able to secure upwards of 300 wedding gowns. The last detail to attend to was the marketing. Kelly discovered that the announcement was an e-mail without a phone number. Maria assured her team that the number was there when she submitted it to the website. Sandy was not buying Maria's story and continued to ask what happened to the number. That night the team's designated driver Wes, hit a parked car. It appeared to be a simple fender bender, but Kelly was concerned about the impact it would have on the bottom line.
Chris was the type of leader whose own personal negativity permeates his team. The members of team Apex were clearly bothered by Chris's demeanor. Jennifer M. convinced Chris to stop loafing around and to go meet with potential vendors face to face. Her strategy worked and she (not Chris) was able to secure vendors for their sale. Kevin and Ivana (who I am convinced are aligned) were able to secure a bridal consultant to assist with inventory and setup of their shop. The team picked her brain and was able to establish a decent setup.
Team Apex decided to pass out a flier at Penn Station in order to get customers into their bridal shop while Team Mosaic continued to deal with the mystery of the "missing phone number" on the e-mail. The team even went as far as to confront the representative from the website about the "missing number". After the he-said-she-said, Sandy was convinced that Maria simply lied about the situation.
It was no surprise that Mosaic destroyed Apex by one of the largest win margins in the game. The surprise was that the winning team was given the wonderful opportunity to go on a $50,000 shopping spree at Graff Jewelers. (I am soo envious, as diamonds are a girl's best friend!)
In the boardroom, it was clear that Chris was his team's downfall. He whined about the other team's "ace in the whole" Sandy. But that got him no where with the Trump Trio.
Chris's decision to let Jennifer M. go back to suite puzzled everyone. It irritated Trump to the point that he called it "ridiculous"! Finally, Trump put Chris out of his misery (as well as the viewers) with a punctuated, YOU'RE FIRED!!!
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