Comments for mikeclayton.co.uk

Comment on Get Your OATS by Weekly Work-planning | mikeclayton.co.uk

Weekly Work-planning | mikeclayton.co.uk — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:14:49 +0000

[...] evening, I do my OATS Plan for tomorrow, looking in the relevant tab and making my list. I keep my running To Do List in the [...]

Comment on It Doesn’t Hurt to Haggle by A patent attorney

A patent attorney — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:45:47 +0000

I completely agree, Mike. There is simply nothing you could lose – you may as well try!

Comment on Young Apprentice 2012, Episode 2: Not Hearing by George Millman

George Millman — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:02:04 +0000

Slightly ironically, when you were talking about bad spelling and attention to detail, you forgot to close the bracket!

Comment on Young Apprentice 2012, Episode 1: On Familiar Ground by George Millman

George Millman — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 15:10:23 +0000

I disagree that the formula needs to be changed – after all, they’ve already done that quite recently, as the format of the adult show was changed to being a business partner a couple of years ago. I think it’s still as good as it ever was. I do think maybe they need to cut down the opening, as the candidates’ opening statements and Lord Sugar’s speeches are cringeworthy, but in terms of the actual show, I don’t think it needs to change that much. Even the tasks change from time to time – I can’t remember any other series having this task.

I don’t think the BBC have definitely made the decision to cancel the Young version yet – I’m sure they’re thinking about it as Lord Sugar is saying that that absolutely shouldn’t happen – but if they had made the decision for definite, I think they would have released an official statement. Even Sugar himself has not said in so many words that that decision has been made, he has only said that he will be furious if it is. I think the BBC are waiting to see how ratings for Series 3 go. And I’m sure Sugar is perfectly able to move to another channel, if that’s what he’s threatening. I’ve never really seen him as a man to make empty threats, I think if he says something like that he’s capable of doing it.

In terms of the candidates, I think the right person went. Patrick messed up the task, but I really liked him, he has potential and will take more from the experience than I think Max would. I really didn’t like David, but he didn’t deserve to be fired on this task.

Comment on Smart to Wise reviewed in Edge Magazine by London Accountant

London Accountant — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:56:59 +0000

Congratulations on the excellent review!

Comment on The Apprentice 2012, The Final: Smart to Wise by Tim

Tim — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:44:33 +0000

Well done, Ricky. By the end I thought both he and Tom were equally credible partners, and the determining factor was all about which one Sugar felt most comfortable with. As you say, Ricky’s business model was simpler and more conservative, and that fitted Sugar better. Fair enough – risk profile is a personal thing. I would have gone with Tom, but that’s easy to say when it’s not my money. And certainly Ricky’s journey was a compelling one, and one which proved that you don’t have to be a serial entrepreneur to start up a business in mid-career – a very good message for anyone out there who wonders “What if?”

I’ve greatly enjoyed your recaps and insights, Mike. Look forward to reading more from you in the next series?

http://slouchingtowardsthatcham.com/2012/06/04/the-apprentice-season-8-episode-12-the-final/

Comment on The Apprentice 2012, Episode 10: Who are you? by Tim

Tim — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:14:22 +0000

I agree, Mike. Pretty much ever year we have a ‘love to hate’ character. This year it was Stephen – in previous years we have had Michael Sophocles, Stuart Baggs, Katie Hopkins and others. It would certainly be much less entertaining if they went at the appointed time, rather than being allowed to continue for several weeks while us viewers howl in derision as they survive boardroom after boardroom. It’s all part of the ‘reality’ of reality TV …

Comment on The Apprentice 2012, Episode 10: Who are you? by Mike

Mike — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:50:48 +0000

Tim
I think the reason for Stephen’s longevity is a combination of two factors:
1. the blind luck of being on a winning team
2. The Apprentice is, ultimately, just entertainment. To protect his investment and reduce risk, Lord Sugar only has to ensure the best candidates get through to the end. The remaining candidates have to go, but the order is immaterial to him – so he may as well hold onto the most entertaining/controversial characters for a little longer.
Mike

Comment on The Apprentice 2012, Episode 10: Who are you? by Dave Bridges

Dave Bridges — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:40:30 +0000

Hey Mike – it’s a pretty poor field this year in my opinion. Tom strikes me as dull, dull dull (I’d never hire him). Nothing special seen in Jade. I haven’t seen Nick do anything. The only 2 that I see anything in are Ricky (presents well and has that honest streak) and Adam (who I loathed at first but strikes me as someone with some raw talent based on his progress). None of them would have made it in BRO though!

Comment on The Apprentice 2012, Episode 10: Who are you? by Tim

Tim — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:28:26 +0000

I’d put Nick and Tom neck-and-neck at this stage, despite the latter’s star waning slightly in the past 2-3 weeks. I think your assessments of all 7 are pretty much spot on, though. Stephen’s continued survival baffled me. He struck me as the sort of person who would constantly say “I take risks” while proving through his actions he was actually quite risk-averse and willing to hide his errors behind others, using them almost as human shields. Contrast that with Ricky, who has consistently survived while owning up to his own errors – a quality which has endeared him to me in recent weeks.

Gabrielle had obvious skills gaps – mostly commercial ability – and yet what price do you put on creativity versus someone who is merely a good manager/politician? Her new design website webethree.co.uk looks the part (although apparently some cannot see it properly), and I notice it includes the artist Pure Evil – so she clearly has leveraged contacts gained during the process well too. That doesn’t seem too shabby to me.

http://slouchingtowardsthatcham.com/2012/05/24/the-apprentice-season-8-episode-10-discount-dealing/