Episode 1

It may not come as a big surprise to anyone that I might be a little biased as I review this season of the Apprentice. That being said, I will try my level best to shoot it to you straight without too much subjectivity. And, so, my reaction to this season's first episode: yeeeeeehaw! Just like I told 'ol Mr. Trump a year ago, "PHD, MBA, BA, to me its all B.S. If you can't close you ain't worth a crap!"

Now, to be fair, selling a hamburger is the most basic of deal closing (except maybe selling lemonade) and I think that the college grads, team Magna, actually were an underdog for this first task. Let me explain. You see, the one thing you absolutely learn from the school of hard knocks is how to get down, get dirty and execute. And, more often than not, you don't have time to over think things with a lot of planning. You simply use your common sense, apply your experience and get to work knowing that a good plan today is better than the perfect plan tomorrow. So, while the college team was caught up in strategy, team Net Worth was getting to it. One of the first things John, the Project Manager for Net Worth, did was set expectations for the team. He not only made it clear to the other members of team Net Worth that they were not going to be intimidated, he gave a great pre-game speech to the employees at the Burger King, letting them know that like them, none of the members of Magna have a college degree. BRILLIANT. This is a tactic that won't necessarily work on future tasks but sure did here. My mamma always told me I'd have to work twice as hard for half as much and the Burger King employees may feel the same way and a motivated sales force goes a long way!

Meanwhile, you could almost sense the college kids underestimating Net Worth. Now, don't get me wrong this wasn't what ultimately killed them but it sure could have been a difference in what was a pretty slim margin of defeat. What did kill them was the incredible inability to process what sales they did have in a timely manner (I'm guessing not many of them have fast food team member on their resume) and, Project Manager Todd's inability to focus Danny, the creative dude with the guitar. Believe me, I've met plenty of creative types over the years and they can be a great asset but let's get real, you have to realize when you're standing around peeing down your leg!

In the end you knew Todd was doomed. Especially in the early rounds Mr. Trump is going to put responsibility on project managers unless they stand out as leaders and lose through circumstances out of their control.

So, I tip my hat to our high school heroes. But, don't let it go to your heads not every task will be this easy! You want some fries with that?


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