The Apprentice: Weekly Performance Review, Episode 9 – Art and Commerce

This was another week I wasn’t really thrilled with the challenge, but I did think it was a good one. That is, it was a good test of how the contestants would respond to having to sell a product they know nothing about. At first I liked Leah, mostly because she is Italian, but partly because her artwork is something I might actually want to put on my wall. After a while, Andrei’s art really grew on me. I’m DEFINITELY not one for abstract art, but the compositions and the blends of color were just excellent. It’s easy to see how Versacorp won the project – it was won the moment they chose him.

Versacorp:

Katrina: Well, you did more this week than I’ve seen from you all season, in that you sold at least one painting. Unfortunately for you, you are still near the bottom of the list of remaining contestants.

Amy: I'll say again, I’m still not convinced about you. You’ve done a fine job; in fact you’ve never even been on a losing team. That doesn’t mean you’ve snuck by, but it also doesn’t mean you did anything incredibly worthwhile either.

Bill: You obviously didn’t like Nick’s decision to sell Andrei’s work, and I don’t blame you. I liked Leah’s work better, too. But the important thing is, you accepted the choice and did your best, and your team won.

Nick: I’ve been very impressed by your two turns as project manager. Last time, with the flea market task, you were open to the advice of your teammates when you felt they were better equipped to make the choice. This time, you weren’t sure which artist to go with, but neither were any of your teammates. So you made the choice. It was incredibly risky, because had you lost, it would have fallen squarely on your head. THAT is leadership, and THAT is why, despite your cockiness, I have long thought you were one of the favorites. And I’m incredibly proud to see that Trump agrees.

Protégé:

Troy and Heidi: I’m not sure what went wrong this week. You both are excellent salespeople, yet neither of you sold a thing. It wasn’t due to poor preparation, so I’m assuming it had to do with the artist. Had I seen her artwork (not that I’m one for galleries either) I probably would have left before buying anything. Had I MET Meghan, I probably would have run away screaming.

The problem I have is, a good salesperson is supposed to be able to sell anything. What I’m wondering is this – did you see this as a way to get rid of Omarosa by losing the challenge?

Kwame: Much as I’d like to fault you for your choice of artist, I can’t. I was following your logic, until I realized that high price points mean nothing if you can’t sell it. Seeing as I’ve been telling you to “do something” for weeks, I can’t condemn you when you do. Also, I admire the fact that – finally – a project manager took responsibility for their team’s failure. I don’t think you were at risk this week, but that could have saved you if you were, and improves your stock with Trump.

Omarosa: This is another one, where if I tried to list all the reasons you should be fired, I’d be here all day. Besides, David Bloomberg’s Why Omarosa Lost article already took care of that quite well. But with everything I’ve seen from you, it’s obvious that you still don’t have a clue why you lost, and that is the true pity.

As we’re nearing the home stretch, I’d like to ask the readers: who do you think is the favorite to win, and why?

Mike DeGeorge has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, and has almost ten years of management experience. Email Mike at mikmaria@charter.net.

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