The Apprentice 2 Weekly Performance Review, Episode 5: Gross!

The biggest controversy this week deals with whether the teams should have been judged by gross sales or net. While I understand what RNO editor David Bloomberg wrote in his recent article, I disagree with his point. Yes, the challenge did not accurately measure salesmanship, but I contend that the entire point of the challenge was about choosing the right product and pricing it correctly. How much they actually made is irrelevant. It's like a physics problem, where you ignore factors like friction and concentrate on what you're trying to learn. That's all The Apprentice's tasks are, business school examples on a grand scale.

Mosaic Corporation:

I'd almost wish you guys would lose once in a while so that we'd see a little bit of you. But I'm not complaining, as long as Raj is still around, I'm happy. I thought your price was too high, and wasn't particularly impressed with 90% of Chris' managerial skills (we'll get to that in a minute). But you had the highest gross sales (nyah!) and won. The interesting question becomes, how many sales would you have had if the price WERE under $70?

Kevin and Wes: It's hard to believe that this far into it that we still have a few people that get next to no exposure in each episode.

John: Great job on the air demonstrating the grill, and I think it might have made the difference for your team. But I hope in the future you can show a little more than a winning smile.

Raj: I like your style, always have. You've got to admire someone with the guts to walk right up to Anna Kournikova and ask for a date. The problem is, you're putting yourself in the "class clown" role. The danger there is that you're not competing to be popular - you're competing to become a manager. If people see you as the fun guy, no one will respect you as a leader. As it stands, although I think it's your strongest feature, I think your "differentness" will end up being your downfall.

I also agree with you that the price should have been under $70. I'll never understand retailers that price things at $71, for example. We've been conditioned as a society to think of $69.99 as a much lower number than $70, and it's a proven fact that the scheme works. Why mess with it?

Kelly: You're coming on way too strong. Just because Pamela left doesn't mean you have to assume the authoritarian dictator role in her place. Your team came damn close to losing, and you're lucky. The others would probably have put the blame right on your shoulders for the pricing decision. In this case, Pamela was more incompetent than you, which may have saved you.

Andy: My only advice to you this week: Don't wear a hard hat again. Ever.

Chris: I have to agree with Raj - you should have stepped into the argument about price, especially since you were being judged on gross sales. That was the most important aspect of the challenge, and you sat back and watched while it was decided for you. You DID take the initiative in choosing to sell the grill, which I think was the best choice. And I have to agree with Betsy from her article. I ALWAYS respect a manager that gives credit to the employees.

Apex Corporation:

I thought this team couldn't get any sadder, but to rise up and unite against someone who was trying to fix the team is the most pathetic display I've ever seen on this show, and that includes a LOT. Pamela may have had a horrible style, but nobody even TRIED to play by her rules. The only time Apex shows togetherness is when they pick a target, which means this team as it stands will never be successful.

Now watch them win next week.

Elizabeth: Your big moment was embarrassing the heck out of Maria with the walkie-talkie. Had you been the project manager, I don't think you'd be around after that one. And by the way, nice job criticizing the leadership. It would have meant something from someone who hasn't FAILED MISERABLY.

Jennifer: You did a fine job as a spokesmodel. Now how are you as a manager?

Sandy: I didn't see anything wrong, but supposedly the QVC people hated you. This is two weeks in a row that you were mentioned as the one who should have gone to the boardroom. Not good.