I know many people hate this show including my wife for many reasons including this dude’s attitude. Anyway, Season 5 of Apprentice premiered today on NBC. I normally watch the initial of episodes to know about the candidates.

After the last season show by the ex-con Martha which was an utter flop, leading to battle of words between them. This season was promoted to be an competition of candidates across the globe, but I saw just 2 candidates, 1 Russian immigrant and another British recruitment consultant.

18 people, 1 Apprentice. Let the show begin and as usual Trump was showing off his Mercedes and Plane on Republic Airport in NYC where he meets the team of 18 for the first time. He talks about big things from big planes, big business deals and off-course doing small mistakes on the way to achieve this.

After the initial intro from the candidates, I wasn’t impressed with a single person. Everyone was normal, and I don’t understand this. When U have achieved so much and are so successful then why work for Trump. I really don’t get this.

Tarek, the dude with high IQ (aka MENSA) and Allie the HBS graduate are appointed as project managers for the first task and asked to select a team. No one had any clue of the candidates they were picking up.

It was about Aviation & Advertising. Using Goodyear blimp, promote Sam’s club membership.

Tareek didn’t give a change for others to come up with a company name and everyone seemed to be lost when he said Goldrush as the company name, bcos they r all trying to achieve wealth blah blah blah.

On the other hand Allie had her whole team interact for the team name. Brent gave a suggestion for Killer instinct. He also came up with the suggestion of using karaoke to attract homemakers to sam’s club which was thrown out @ the very second. But his next idea of attracting women using massage & manicure was accepted. Where as in goldrush team, there was no defined strategy on how to attract customers. The first 485 customers were given a free Sam’s club duffel bag.

At the end, the black team (aka Goldrush) lead by Allie won. Reasons for their success were they had their goals set. How to attract customers to Sam’s Club and what’s the benefit having Sam’s club membership. They used the strategy to woo women customers to Sam’s club by advertising on the blimp about free massage & manicures. They were rewarded with a lunch @ Wharton club.

Conclusion:

Tareek brings in 3 of his team members to the boardroom 1. Summer – because she didn’t call restaurants and tried to sell for sams’ club membership after she was hung up by the first phone call. No major contribution to the team effort except accompany lenny on the blimp. 2. Lenny – Tarek felt he didn’t contribute anything to the team, damn; he did a terrific job of positioning the blimp @ the right place to attract more traffic. 3. Lee – he was good but bought in because he talked against Tareek @ the board room.

Finally When Trump was about to bust Tarek for his management skills, Summer interrupted and tried to be truthful and talk out. That was the end for her. She heard it “You are fired”.

Next week – got to watch the Goldrush team and the heat between Lee, Lenny & Tarek.

BTW if U are a regular viewer of this show, nominate the biggest pain of the week (co-sponsored by Sams club. Will try to get the link and post it)

On this day..

• Pending - 2006