Thursday, September 20, 2007
Lessons From The Apprentice
Now that this reality show has run its course, what lessons can we draw from it?
Just to recap, The Apprentice is a reality show withv young business women who more or less look like sex goddesses are pitted against young business men who for the most part are buff as can be, in a cutthroat competition for success. Think Survivor, only in Armani suits. And this time, the last person standing wins a six-figure salary and a year working for real estate developer Donald Trump.
The show features some hard lessons you aren’t likely to learn in B-Schools or in “Masters” courses.
Reality #1: For all the enlightened talk of teamwork, when push comes to shove, people often look out for themselves and try to blame others for their failures. Sure, reality might not always be so blatant. The outright bickering and backstabbing seen on the show might be enough to get someone fired in the real world. But those clever machinations and the endless scheming by participants to dis their colleagues’ ideas in an effort to save their own hides, that’s as real as it gets. Lesson: Always watch your back.
Reality #2: Call it the Donald Trump version of marketing 101. Quality isn’t what drives customers to buy. Exposure is what matters in a celebrity obsessed society. What else explains why some contestants, already successful, would be humiliated before 20 million viewers? And why is Deutsch Inc., one of the ad industry’s most cutting edge shops, lending its good name to a sensationalist show like The Apprentice?
Lesson: There’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Reality #3: Think sex has been banished from the workplace after three decades of efforts to improve equality? Think again. So far, the women are relying on something far more basic than their smarts to win. In the first episode, they boost lemonade sales by kissing their customers, while in the second they beat the men’s team with a sexually suggestive ad proposal. The clincher: The women make their presentation to the ad chief in snug retro flight attendant outfits. No surprise the guys never had a chance.
Lesson: Sex really does sell.
What made this show so compelling, and entertaining, is that it’s like a funhouse mirror of the business world. Everything was a bit off kilter but recognizable. Don’t quit B-school. But by watching The Apprentice, you might learn something just as important. Buy the DVD's.
Just to recap, The Apprentice is a reality show withv young business women who more or less look like sex goddesses are pitted against young business men who for the most part are buff as can be, in a cutthroat competition for success. Think Survivor, only in Armani suits. And this time, the last person standing wins a six-figure salary and a year working for real estate developer Donald Trump.
The show features some hard lessons you aren’t likely to learn in B-Schools or in “Masters” courses.
Reality #1: For all the enlightened talk of teamwork, when push comes to shove, people often look out for themselves and try to blame others for their failures. Sure, reality might not always be so blatant. The outright bickering and backstabbing seen on the show might be enough to get someone fired in the real world. But those clever machinations and the endless scheming by participants to dis their colleagues’ ideas in an effort to save their own hides, that’s as real as it gets. Lesson: Always watch your back.
Reality #2: Call it the Donald Trump version of marketing 101. Quality isn’t what drives customers to buy. Exposure is what matters in a celebrity obsessed society. What else explains why some contestants, already successful, would be humiliated before 20 million viewers? And why is Deutsch Inc., one of the ad industry’s most cutting edge shops, lending its good name to a sensationalist show like The Apprentice?
Lesson: There’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Reality #3: Think sex has been banished from the workplace after three decades of efforts to improve equality? Think again. So far, the women are relying on something far more basic than their smarts to win. In the first episode, they boost lemonade sales by kissing their customers, while in the second they beat the men’s team with a sexually suggestive ad proposal. The clincher: The women make their presentation to the ad chief in snug retro flight attendant outfits. No surprise the guys never had a chance.
Lesson: Sex really does sell.
What made this show so compelling, and entertaining, is that it’s like a funhouse mirror of the business world. Everything was a bit off kilter but recognizable. Don’t quit B-school. But by watching The Apprentice, you might learn something just as important. Buy the DVD's.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
What can you learn from Emmitt Smith winning "Dancing with the Stars?"
I'm not sure how many of you are hooked on this TV phenomenon, but there is a lesson individuals in any profession can learn here.
Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys (Superbowl Superstar) started in a dance competition four months ago. He started out with not much dancing talent, experience, knowledge or expertise. Most of his competition was younger, built more like dancers, and some had experience.
WHY DID HE WIN?
It was his attitude, charisma, work ethic and tenacity. It doesn't matter what he does, he gives it a 100% effort. He entered the competition expecting to WIN! No matter how much he mentally or physically was in pain - he appeared to be having the best time of his life and smiled the entire time.
One by one he knocked out his competition with his uncanny focus and newly learned talents. He ignored pessimists or ridicule for the ridiculous outfits he wore. He only focused on the RESULTS he wanted.
Are you a CHAMPION in your profession?
Do you challenge yourself every day to achieve peak performance, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you? Do you work harder than your Competition? Do you provide better service?
Do you challenge yourself to continually learn new skills? Do you take things "personal" or stay focused on your GOAL?
What you are doing RIGHT NOW is starting to set up 2008!
There is NO LIMIT on what you can achieve if you just make the commitment!
Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys (Superbowl Superstar) started in a dance competition four months ago. He started out with not much dancing talent, experience, knowledge or expertise. Most of his competition was younger, built more like dancers, and some had experience.
WHY DID HE WIN?
It was his attitude, charisma, work ethic and tenacity. It doesn't matter what he does, he gives it a 100% effort. He entered the competition expecting to WIN! No matter how much he mentally or physically was in pain - he appeared to be having the best time of his life and smiled the entire time.
One by one he knocked out his competition with his uncanny focus and newly learned talents. He ignored pessimists or ridicule for the ridiculous outfits he wore. He only focused on the RESULTS he wanted.
Are you a CHAMPION in your profession?
Do you challenge yourself every day to achieve peak performance, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you? Do you work harder than your Competition? Do you provide better service?
Do you challenge yourself to continually learn new skills? Do you take things "personal" or stay focused on your GOAL?
What you are doing RIGHT NOW is starting to set up 2008!
There is NO LIMIT on what you can achieve if you just make the commitment!
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