The Big Question - is The Apprentice like real life in business?

We've been asking the local business community what they think...

Phill Steadman, group marketing manager, Premier Forest Group, Newport

Like many business people out there, I’m already hooked and enjoying getting to know the newest candidates. I think it’s particularly interesting to see how different people deal with pressure; some crumbling and others excelling under the stress. The show really highlights the need for different personalities and strengths within a team, and how this can be the recipe for success. Those wanting to get ahead in the world of work should take note that, in an increasingly competitive world, you sometimes have to be master of all trades to really get noticed.

Richard Selby, director, Pro Steel Engineering, Caldicot

Having watched The Apprentice last week, I couldn’t help but notice it has become more dramatised with every series and no longer accurately represents a business environment. While you cannot deny the programme provides great entertainment, I much preferred the original format of the show, where candidates would compete for a job rather than the opportunity to be Lord Sugar’s business partner. In any real-life boardroom, a bullish manner and throwing colleagues under the bus wouldn’t get you any closer to getting a job. I worry that young people entering into business will have severe misconceptions about how to act in an office environment and, as a result, will struggle to get jobs.

Dave Sayce, comparemymove.com, originally from Chepstow

A show like The Apprentice is focused on a very corporate side of business: the London high-flyer type of thing. This isn't the reality for most businesses and certainly not most new/entrepreneurial companies. I do think that if it inspires and encourages young people to start their own businesses then it is definitely positive. But at the same time, the way the apprentices are 'fired' for a bad week can make it seem like being in business is an impossible task, whereas in actual fact learning from failures is really important for developing skills and becoming more innovative. The Apprentice is also overwhelmingly focused on selling, and while this is a -fundamental element to any business, it still shows quite a one-dimensional approach to recognising valuable skills. Perhaps it would be better to have a show where the experienced judges share their knowledge with the apprentices instead of just deciding whether or not to fire them?

Marc Benger, comparemymove.com, originally from Wattsville

I am a big fan of The Apprentice although admittedly not from a business point of view. I find it can be a little cringeworthy at times when the candidates are sucking up to Lord Sugar. As a process which is purely in place for TV entertainment, it seems a ridiculous way to find a business partner, but it does make great viewing. What I like least about the way the show is run is the emphasis on sales. It's inevitable that the teams are tasked with buying cheap tat and tested on their ability to sell it at a profit. I certainly can't sell but that doesn't mean I can't run a business. Someone may have the best business plan in the world and it gets discarded because they couldn’t sell some fish. Obviously Alan Sugar isn't daft, and if he likes a business plan enough he'll make sure that candidate makes it to the end of the process. Mark Wright, in my opinion, was clearly the favourite from day one last year and it was no surprise that he went on to be made his business partner.

Siobhan Mail, director, Seer Green, Newport

When The Apprentice was first broadcast, it seemed a bit more genuine in assessing and selecting would-be apprentices for a career in business – real people, with real aspirations, in relatively realistic work situations – but now it seems that most of the focus is simply on entertainment and drama, and it no longer offers a realistic reflection of being in business anymore. That said, it does make fairly compelling viewing – even if only by ensuring you spend an hour each week yelling at the TV screen because of how ridiculous everything gets.

Steve Adams, director, Simply Factoring Brokers, Newport

I am an avid watcher of this show every year and it makes good TV. However, I don’t think it paints business people in a great light as nigh-on every year the nice guy finishes last and someone is always throwing someone else under the bus. I think it shows people that you have to be some cut throat shark to get ahead in life, which I hope most business professionals would tell you that it isn’t necessarily the case. However, I do like the fact that it shows the younger audience that anyone can be a success as often the tasks they set are not rocket science. With a can-do attitude you can achieve a great deal.

Jon Hayward, managing director, Smart Solutions Training, Newport

Generally speaking, the early episodes of The Apprentice showcase a group of individuals who demonstrate skills of how not to ‘get ahead’ in the world of work, from a lack of team work, poor communication and pointing the finger of blame at others. However, as the series progresses there is a change in approach from the top-performing candidates, who realise that team work is essential to successfully complete Lord Sugar’s challenges. And for those individuals who display strong leadership qualities, it’s interesting to see how they galvanise their peers for their own gains, often without the other candidates realising so.

The Apprentice is back on our screens so this week’s big question is: Are you hooked already and what do you think this TV show says to people who want to get ahead in the world of work?

Dan Smith, board member, Newport & Monmouthshire Young Enterprise

It's an entertainment show! I think if taken too literally it will give young people the wrong impression of the world of business. Personally, I'd encourage young people interested in business to get involved with Young Enterprise which provides the opportunity to get a great insight into the world of business through their different programmes and the opportunity to develop skills. The YE company programme gives young people the opportunity to set up and trade their own legal company and compete in area, Welsh and national finals. It is extremely well received by all those who take part but we are always seeking more schools to join in.

Kate Richards, Territory Manager, Budget Vets, Newport

I have to admit I haven’t watched it for a long time. When it first started I did but as a senior manager myself I wonder what values they are installing in often young people trying to become the next Mr Sugar. Assertiveness, business understanding and many other positives but what about respect for other people, team work, and building relationships with colleagues? I work for a family firm who have strong core values and as a team we respect each other and refer to ourselves as Budget Vets Family, we are all close and spend time together outside of work. When I watch The Apprentice all I see is them trying to outdo each other and walk over anyone to get where they want to be, which I don’t believe to be good values to install in an employee or anyone else for that matter. I’m all for teaching your team to be competitive and have goals but it has to be measurable and have a good balance.

Robyn Walters, director, Xpress Recruitment, Newport

I am hooked on The Apprentice. Yes some of the characters are larger than life, perhaps a bit too full of themselves but there are these characters out there! The programme demonstrates that if you are ambitious, aim high and determined then you can achieve your business dreams. Alan Sugar is fantastic, I love watching him fire them, he doesn’t mess around!

John Newell, director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

I stopped watching The Apprentice quite a few series’ ago. In the beginning it was plausible and a good watch but it’s turned into a bit of a Business Big Brother ie the behaviour of the individuals featured on the programme has become more extreme to create headlines for themselves. You do need to be confident, driven and willing to take on new challenges when starting out in business but you also need to be respectful and to listen and learn from colleagues, think about the consequences of all of your actions as well think long term not just the ‘smash and grab’ tactics shown in the programme.

Lauren Patterson, Junior Surveyor, M4 Property Consultants, Cwmbran

I’m not the biggest fan of The Apprentice, although I have watched it from time to time, and I struggle to find any comparisons with the characters featured in the programme and the tasks they are set compared to what I do as I start my career. If I was to behave in the office or in front of the clients in a similar manner to many of the contestants on the programme, I would expect to be fired! I’ve been mentored whilst learning new skills and tasks and have been able to ask questions, learn at my own speed, take on new responsibilities safe in the knowledge that I won’t be dragged into the boardroom on a Friday and fired!