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October 7, 2005
The Apprentice
Donald Trump Apprentice - Week 3
Posted by Nadine Heintz at 10:41 AM
I don't agree with the Donald's decision to fire Jennifer W. last night. Yes, she did a terrible job with the event. The food seemed lame and the room was totally bland. I had to laugh when she started blubbering about how much her grandmother likes cookies and cake, and how she even bought sugar-free cookies for the diabetics. She was really pathetic. That said, I think she was dumped with too much responsibility. Rebecca should have taken a more active role in decorating the room.
Either Rebecca or Toral should have gotten the boot. Toral was inexcusably clueless. Why didn't she read the directions for the HDTV? If she knew she couldn't handle that task, she should have given it to someone else. Jennifer M.'s flirty behavior was embarrassing, too. I almost died when she started doing push-ups in front of one of the male senior citizens. Has she no shame?
The guys, on the other hand, did a great job. I like how they emphasized technology as a way to stay in touch with your family and reconnect with old friends. The posters and balloons were festive, and the guys all knew how to use the gadgets. Even Markus was great. I think Randal's experience with his grandmother really helped him set the right tone for the event. He was a great leader, which was made apparent by the fact that everyone on his time voted to grant him an exemption. The one dud on the men's team last night was Clay. Obviously, he shouldn't have made a big stink about the Tivo. First of all, Tivo isn't that complicated once you set it up. Second of all, it was inappropriate to cause such a scene in front of George. He's not long for this show.
So far, the men seem a lot stronger than the women. Rebecca really rubs me the wrong way. I'm surprised that the Donald let her get away with that lame excuse for not bringing Torval back into the room. He usually fires people that let their friendships cloud their judgement. Rebecca talks a good game, but I doubt that will get her very far. I guess we'll find out.
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Oh man, I need to vent just a little bit. I was really getting irritated with Rebecca's responses last night. Trump cannot possibly be okay with the fact that it takes her 10 minutes to answer every question that should take 2 seconds...
Trump: "Would you agree that Toral was not an inspiration to the group?"
Rebecca: "Well Mr. Trump, I believe I would have to say that I think I actually would have to agree with the statement you just made about Toral not being a very inspirational component of our group, Mr. Trump, no."
Umm, how about "yes, I agree." done. uuggghhh!!!!
And did Jennifer W. do all of the planning by herself? If so, that's all of work for one person.
Maybe some of the other ladies who were complaining that they were "jazzed" by the Project Manager as they stood around in BestBuy should have helped Jennifer W. out a bit!
1. What I liked about Rebecca standing up for Toral: Working a TV/Dvd player or whatever is not a true indicator of your professional abilities, intellect and experience. Therefore, protecting her seem reasonable.
2. What I ddin't like about Rebecca standing up for Toral: Toral has poor people skills. She could have made light of her fumbling her presentation thereby easing the tension. She could make herself more likeable to her teammates. And she could have been way less defensive in the boardroom if in fact she is so intelligent and competent.
All past winners have had strong people skills.
Frankly, I think neither Rebecca or Toral will win. Jenifer wasn't strong enough to win either. So frankly, the chaff is getting sifted out or exposed.
For the first time ever I must post. I was indeed aghast that Mr.Trump overlooked Rebecca's role as Project Manager and the fact that she did not bring Torel into the boardroom. While Jen W's "event planning" was indeed lacking just about everything that was needed ...why wasn't the Project Manager aware of this? Wasn't it part and parcel of her responsibility to make sure ALL aspects were fluid...?? And as to Torel's lack of HDTV knowledge. We can all understand that. HOWEVER..if one is put in charge of demonstrating any piece of equipment..they should know what they're doing. She got very flustered and "frustered" For the first time ever I must post. I was indeed aghast that Mr.Trump overlooked Rebecca's role as Project Manager and the fact that she did not bring Torel into the boardroom. While Jen W's "event planning" was indeed lacking just about everything that was needed ...why wasn't the Project Manager aware of this? Wasn't it part and parcel of her responsibility to make sure ALL aspects were fluid...?? And as to Torel's lack of HDTV knowledge. We can all understand that. HOWEVER..if one is put in charge of demonstrating any piece of equipment..they should know what they're doing. She got very flustered and "frustered"
PART TWO (the first post repeated itself. sorry)
What was Rebecca doing? I took one look at that room and saw how desolate it looked. In my opinion, Rebecca failed as the Project Manager. As someone else pointed out, Trump usually fires someone for making an "emotional" decision rather than a business one. No one likes Torel. The group is not cohesive with her. And she did not "add" to the task. And yet she stayed because she attended Wharton? One may be a business genius, but if there are personality conflicts with every one else...no project can succeed. I am just surprised with Mr. Donald Trump's decision on this one. He really seemed to contradict most of the other things he's had to say in previous boardrooms. Jen W was a "scape goat"..pure and simple.
Toral has an ego problem. Her repeated comments regarding her "Wharton" education and how there were no other other women there as "high level" as her is unacceptable. I am glad that Donald cleared that up in the boardroom. Her excuse for not knowing how to operate the HDTV was rediculous. Like someone stated earlier, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS beforehand. You would think a "top MBA" from Wharton would understand the concept of preparation and have an ability to adapt. The purpose of the show is to find the best business person, not the best marketing person, finance person, etc., but the person who is able to balance all areas of business and adapt to diverse situations (Isn't that what an MBA is supposed to teach you?).
Jen W. may not have planned the best event, but she was the only one planning. The task WAS the event. What were all the other women doing? And why wasn't Rebecca intimately involved in the planning process? Jen W. should not have gotten the axe, in my view she was one of the only ones who did anything, even if it wasn't the best, she still did something.
Yep, I was shocked by this one. Trump has usually proven smart in his firing decisions and I admit, when it came down to Jen W and Rebecca - based solely on these two women, then Jen W. look like the weaker link. Nonetheless, Rebecca remaining loyal to someone who didn't pull her weight was just stupid. When it come down to the two of them - and that is bound to happen - does she think Torel will stick be her the same way? Do these people live under rocks? Have they not watched the last three seasons? Can they not spell COMPETITION. Well, the women clearly can not.
The men rocked it. Good for them. I initially thought TiVo was stupid too, still do, but it was not a detriment to them and that was good for them. Clearly Markus was in his glory with a captive audience listening to him babble. Frankly I don't think he hurt but not because it was TiVo. It was because the while thing was cohesive. Unlike the women's empty room, you could tell something was going on. Good for Randal for bringing it together. No clue what Rebecca was thinking.
Oh yes. And I forgot to say how irritated I was by Torel's ego. She'd be glad to hire any of these women in an administrative capacity. Yet somehow they were good enough to compete against her. And if she's that awesome, then why does she need to compete? can she not get hired by Trump all on her own? Are there no worthier jobs out there for her.
Again, the fact that the contestants still haven't learned that overbearing egos with no people skills won't win this is astonishing.
Speaking of ego's, Trump wants to be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral. I've seen the Apprentice and I'm surprised at the loyal following. Doesn't anyone else feel like the show does a huge disservice in teaching entrepreneurship and business leadership? It's all about presenting your ego enough to get noticed. I think it's important that people don't hole up in a corner, but there's no substance to the decision process in picking a business leader. Why would anyone want to work for such an egomaniac anyway? I would have to agree with a recent business week article:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2005/sb20050921_510049.htm
There's no way a person like Warren Buffet would stand a chance on this show. Am I all alone in this?
It's a misconception. Simply because you are not good at people skills does NOT mean you are not good at business. Business Development has some of the dumbest people in their field. Marketing is one of the easiest subjects to go into. But in the end, if you can't show something more, then you're not at the top. Perfect example: Trump had just made a speech in front of an audience on the show stating that you should let the people who are best in a certain area be responsible for that area of a project. Toral left it up to the person who was supposed to be the best at Marketing to lead the team in this marketing task, and this project manager completely failed in the one thing she is supposed to be good at and if you remember was also voted to be the leader on it.
Toral is a millionaire, owns more than one home, one of which is in London, and is a young VP. Toral was actually very smart in going on the Apprentice because now she has the celebrity and she will make more business by just being on the show. I do feel that she was outted more. I don't think she got a fair fight. And the girl who called her a "bitch" has anger problems and needs to control her emotions. I knew one girl exactly like Toral who was in the same exact predicament as her, but her boss ignored the negative comments made about her and fully supported her. In the end, the others had lost their jobs by losing business and my friend was the only one to outlast the others because she made the most business. I think Trump made a grave mistake by firing Toral.
I think that letting Jennifer W go was the right decision. Or rather, a readily justifiable one. Honestly, there were multiple justifiable solutions.
Well, Rebecca is incredibly hot and sophisticated. I can't stop staring at her. Goddammit, lose the crutches already!!
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