Tag Archives: Jim Eastwood

Well, I said creativity would be central to this year’s Apprentice (in my 3 April blog post) and what could be more creative than this week’s task? That task was to: Come up with a new fitness programme that will start a trend Create a promotional video and branding, and Pitch it to three health and fitness chains to secure licensing deals Both teams could claim an “expert” as team leader. The Teams and their Ideas Phoenix Phoenix quickly chose...

A lot of Apprentice tasks require a considerable degree of creativity. It has always been thus for as long as I have been watching, and the past two weeks of series eight have both put it at the heart of the tasks. I expect many more like this, because this series, like the last, is about finding a candidate with whom Lord Sugar can go into a business partnership. Tom, Helen, Jim … Starting a new business, especially for a...

This week’s episode saw the teams separated by the smallest of margins (less than 3% of profit).  It also saw the final phases of the boardroom play out exactly as I was expecting.  My notes were constantly a few minutes ahead and I concur 100% with Lord Sugar’s assessments this evening – which I don’t always do. And, whilst three of the women are not getting as much airtime as some of the other contenders, we are starting to see...

After 13 episodes (11 tasks, plus two “specials”), the Final Four candidates at last got a chance to present their business ideas, and meet Lord Sugar’s interviewers. I don’t know about you, but it was a tense time on the Clayton sofa.  I expect there are 9 million or more opinions about the outcome and many will be informed by the hindsight Tom was so often accused of. Tom’s Hindsight But, as the “You’re Hired” follow-up show reminded us, often,...

Last night, Dara O’Briain hosted a humorous look at what candidates need to do to get hired.  But as with all good humour, it was funny, because it was true. Over the course of the series, I have been deriving lessons from the tasks, and Dara O’Briain drew out ten rules. I want to compare what we each learned and make some comments. Rule 1: Sell Yourself I didn’t highlight this in my own list, but let’s take a look...

It is fashionable to slate the candidates in The Apprentice for their failings and weaknesses.  And they certainly do all have them, but I do recall reading in a book somewhere: “Let those without sin cast the first stone” So rather than bitch about the lack of general knowledge and naivete of the candidates, or their lack of skills in this discipline or that, I want to celebrate what they bring to Lord Sugar’s table.  In Brilliant Project Leader, I advocate valuing...

In my blog, The Apprentice: The Final Five, I make my predictions. Who do you think will win?  Take this poll. More on The Apprentice.

Last night’s show looked at the backgrounds of the final five candidates. Whilst I am as interested as anyone, I do not want to comment on how I perceive the candidates personally, outside the four walls of my own home. Instead, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on the chances each of them has of winning, and on the series so far. Extraordinary The first thing to say is that the change in the format of the show...

In tonight’s episode, the last six was whittled down to the final five, and I stop being even handed and start expressing an opinion about the candidates. Let’s remember what this series is about: finding a business partner to start a business with Lord Sugar.  So Lord Sugar stripped it down to fundamentals, because he is wise enough to know that, whilst the business he and his apprentice launch will be modern and sophisticated in form; in substance, it will...

Yesterday, I posted a blog on my main website, describing how Jim Eastwood, candidate in this years UK series of The Apprentice, is able to influence colleagues, buyers, sellers and the public. . . . . Jim’s techniques can be summed up in seven points: Build rapport.  Take an interest in the person you are talking with, show you like them, and listen to their point of view.  Use charm and flattery to enhance people’s liking for you. Be clear what...