The Apprentice on the BBC and NBC has never really been one of my favourite programmes to watch but it is perhaps apropos that it gets a mention given the recent outcome in the US elections.
Initially it was described as “Sir Alan Sugar putting job candidates through the wringer” featuring the self made multimillionaire it at least gives the viewer some insight into the mind of entrepreneurs.
In the US it featured Donald Trump in a pseudo-reality TV show in which contestants compete for an apprentice job to him. Same premise but slightly different level of finesse.
Entertainment is the Apprentice’s first objective but you can learn an awful lot from it too, especially about about products, pitches, management and leadership.
All of us are apprentice’s in our own right. If you think you’re already the master or an expert, then you’re probably definitely still an apprentice!
Here are some topics to consider in this regard:
The customer is the real King, so focus on the market and never forget the customer and the customer’s needs wants and desires
We’re all individuals so we all have different expectations and perspectives so be prepared to actively listen to others who may have divergent or conflicting views, only when you consider the perspectives of others can you create awesome results.
Nothing gets created without constraints and it is important that you understand what the constraints are that boundary your own ability to excel or achieve positive outcomes. By understanding the constraints you have you can then try to address them in the context of their influence on your possible success or failure.
The Boy Scout motto is ‘Be Prepared‘ and this applies here too, if you are going to make a pitch or a case for some idea or initiative that you have in mind, then you need to have all the necessary ammunition to argue in favour of the idea. Be prepared for dissention because of all those individuals whose opinions you want!
Although we call it common sense, the reality is that common sense is uncommon but there is that element of intuitiveness and logical interpretation. If something really is unintelligible or seems malformed, question it and question the rationale for continuing to pursue it – even if it is your own idea – you really need to be pragmatic.
Do what you do best. If you know nothing about a particular subject or domain you need to work out whether you should continue pursuing it. Either that or you find a domain expert to help you, or you learn it. Remember that to be proficient in any particular domain could take you years!
