29 March 2007
The UK's version of The Apprentice was back last night, complete with another platoon of 'interviewees' ready to slash and burn their way to the ulitmate prize - a year working for the UK's grumpiest man.I have mixed feelings about this. On the positive side anything that teaches and inspires people about business is a GOOD THING. The Apprentice rightly focusses on the basics; providing what people want, when they want it, and at a price that makes sense for both parties.
But then there's the other side. The side that makes business people look like pig-headed, self-absorbed morons*. The interviewees are UP-FOR-IT by God. They are WINNERS, they were BORN TO WIN and for the next few weeks we get to watch them WIN-AT-ANY-COST!
I realise, by the way, that this is entertainment, and not great art. I also understand that watching people work sensibly together towards a common goal would be stupefyingly dull television.
But I also think it's important to note that in my experience, business is not war. Neither is it lots of people shouting at each other and going off in a strop. The program fosters a general perception that is quite wrong, in my view. It implies that for someone to win, somebody has to lose.
Of course the best businesses, in a very real sense, are about everyone winning. No doubt Sir Alan would hate Semantic... but then he never looks like he's having much fun, does he?
*Not the first word that came to mind.
Posted by Nick Warren at 4:18 PM
