The 2011 Apprentice Final… the Countdown

So, last nights Apprentice saw Natasha Scribbins leave the process.  I think it had to be her or Susan Ma that got fired, personally I would have got rid of both.  I cannot see Lord Sugar working with Susan, she will drive him nuts.

It does make me laugh some of the statements (excuses) fired contestants come out with.  Why cannot they just accept they are not right for Lord Sugar is beyond me, obvious their confidence defense mechanism kicking in.  Now, I read today that Scribbins said that her former role as a construction recruitment consultant meant she could come across as aggressive.  She said: “I think taking into consideration the business environment that I work within, construction and property recruitment, it’s quite an aggressive environment in terms of, you’re selling a service, it’s very fast paced, and construction and property is a very male-dominated environment.” What a load of rubbish!  Having working in recruitment since 1996 myself, you do not have to be aggressive, tenacious yes, aggressive no.  Good business people adapt to the people and environment they are put in, she just was unable to adapt, fact.

Scribbins is the second construction recruitment specialist to be fired by Lord Sugar this season.  Ellie Reed, founder of Shipley based A&E Construction, was shown the door in the first few weeks of the series.  Neither of these people I would class as typical quality recruitment consultants, nor would I hire, Ellie could not spell vegetable (Series one) and Natasha seems to have difficulty getting on with her colleagues.

Anyway back to the final,  my pick from the start Jim Eastwood was lucky not to get fired, as he has not done well on the two occasions he has been project manager.  Is Jim a salesman rather than a leader, that's the question?  I would certainly consider hiring Jim as a sales person, but as a manager and leader I have doubts, as probably does Lord Sugar.

So next week the remaining four candidates (above) will have their business plan grilled so see if the business idea and financials stack up. You would envisage Susan Ma and Tom Pellereau should be strong contenders here, given they have set up their own businesses previously.  Personally I have warmed to Tom, and from my initial thoughts that he was no way going to make it, he has shown persistence and improvement and I like his slightly different viewpoint.

Prior to next weeks final show, and not being party to each individuals business plan I would have to say I think Helen (1 boardroom appearance) and Jim (2 boardroom appearances) are the strongest contenders, they just need to deliver a great business plan, with substance, thought  and that financially makes sense.

If it were me I'd hire Helen, Jim and Tom (yes, I know that not the competition rules, but rules are there to be challenged) as I think combined they have a great mix of attributes to be a successful team/ business.  Helen managing and organising, Jim selling and the enthusiasm, Tom the creative angle and taking product to market.

Who knows what's going to happen?  My predicted winner that I said after the first show, Jim is still in there, but can he make it over the final hurdle, or will he be pipped to the post.  Only 1 week until we find out.

Who do you think will win?