Not just one Apprentice episode this week, but two as the flagship BBC show strides back onto our screens (empty case in hand).
Alex "The Count" Mills claimed the prize for biggest impact on episode one with those mesmeric eyebrows crafted from hours of preening and some may say one or two mistakes getting the length of them correct at the beauty salon.
From his first moment on screen, especially when he stated that he had key skills in numbers reminded me of someone...
The Count Alex Mills
...still him and his eyebrows helped the boys to a win in a typical "buy and sell" challenge.
In between the startling appearance by The Count and the first firing of the series of Jaz Ampaw-Farr, who took on a very Sideshow Bob look when she donned a hard hat at the docks, it was an episode full of childish arguments, schoolboy one-liners and hanging high fives...so business as usual really.
As happens so many times on the first few episodes, the personalities that get the attention are often for the wrong reasons. Sophie was absent in her contribution, Tim delivered the most cringing of cringeworthy thank you's to Lord Sugar and Jaz lept two-footed to her doom within seconds of the intro by taking on the project manager role. I look forward to seeing how Zeeshaan "Napoleon" Shah copes as the series continues, I'm no historian but I'm not aware of Napoleon being known for hissy fits on the back of his horse (or in Zeeshaan's case his people carrier).
It was a poor episode all round for the teams, Evolve and Endeavour, Barry and Paul (Chuckle) would've been more appropriate as they sold a number of random items from the back of a shipping container. Still the boys team somehow scrapped a win and it left Sideshow Jaz to walk squarely into the rake that is Lord Sugars firing finger (one for Simpsons geeks there).
The lesson that teams never seem to learn from these selling exercises is that whenever you are selling, and whatever you are selling you need a plan. That starts by identifying the most likely 'buyers' for your products/service, then identifying the decision maker or key influencer, understanding your sales boundaries (stock, cost, break-even, profit) and then engaging with your prospect. Sadly, even this basic outline tends to get lost in the politics of who needs/wants to sell. Despite being taken into the boardroom (and seemingly not contributing hugely) it was admirable that Uzma at least took on a definite role within the team and made sure she contributed doing what she'd been asked to do. Even on the harsh world that is The Apprentice early days, teamwork is still the key to get you through to the later weeks.
Still, it's beer tonight so chuck a little alcohol and production into the mix and it has all the hallmarks of a classic Apprentice episode.
By the way, this weeks episode was brought to you by the letter E...for Eyebrows.
Star of the Week: Alex Mills - The Eyebrows, just the eyebrows
Got Lucky: Tim Stillwell - What was he thinking with that sickening thank you??
Heading for a Fall: Sophie Lau - Already singled out as not contributing in front of Lord Sugar and her fellow candidates, they'll not forget that quickly.
For Twitter updates on The Apprentice don't forget to follow me @simonbrooke
Star of the Week: Alex Mills - The Eyebrows, just the eyebrows
Got Lucky: Tim Stillwell - What was he thinking with that sickening thank you??
Heading for a Fall: Sophie Lau - Already singled out as not contributing in front of Lord Sugar and her fellow candidates, they'll not forget that quickly.
For Twitter updates on The Apprentice don't forget to follow me @simonbrooke
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