It’s that time of year again where I’m both excited and nervous, knowing I’ll be hiding behind my hands before I know it – the new season of The Apprentice is coming!
Usually I can’t keep my eyes off the screen but at the same time I’ll also be cringing as hopefuls make the same old mistakes.
It always promises dramas and disasters – sometimes you wonder if Lord Sugar will actually find his next business partner – but despite many daft antics there are (somewhere in there) some good business lessons to be learned, and great businesses which have come from the show.
You just need to look at some of the success stories to see why the show is still on our screens after all these years.
Last year’s Scottish contestant Reece Donnelly might have left early, but since his appearance he’s made a name for himself already. Currently he’s the Chief Executive of Theatre School of Scotland which had a £1million turnover last year. He has also launched Theatre School of Scotland, proving his business acumen despite not winning Sugar’s buy in.
I was disappointed when he was fired last year since he was the first Scottish contestant in eight years, and it looks like there will be no representatives from this side of the border again this year from what I’ve read so far.
However that won’t stop me watching with a critical eye and guessing who Lord Sugar will back this year as the potential next Big Thing in business.
If they can follow in the footsteps of one of the show’s biggest successes, Ricky Martin (not the singer!) they’ll be doing well. He’s the contestant who won season eight and now has a business, Hyper Recruitment Solutions, worth £15million.
But of course I can’t mention the success stories without also mentioning some of the most cringe-worthy moments too – let’s be honest, they’re a big part of the reason we tune in.
From cringe-worthy ideas to stupid mistakes, there are too many to mention.
My favourite was definitely the expensive birthday party t-shirts which were printed with the ‘happy birthday’ message backwards – so it was no surprise the team were left in the red when they didn’t get their sale.
The other moment which really sticks in my mind is the infamous Claude Littner interview with candidate Solomon Akhtar. The excruciating interview was cut very short after the business plan was littered with pictures of sailboats instead of a viable business proposal. No surprise he didn’t secure any funds.
As an entrepreneur, my advice for this year’s new contestants is to start reading my column – that that is if they don’t already.
In all seriousness, not many of us get a chance to start their career on a TV show, but there are still plenty of other tangible apprenticeship routes to go down.
In fact National Apprenticeship Week is just around the corner, starting on February 5, when I’ll bet we start to see lots of truly inspirational apprenticeship stories and opportunities in the media.
I can’t stress enough how valuable apprenticeship schemes can be, not only for school leavers or those simply looking to start something new, but also for businesses.
It can be a highly effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated and skilled workforce that otherwise you might struggle to recruit or retain staff. Many business owners aren’t aware that you can upskill existing employees through an apprenticeship scheme, it’s not just for new starts either.
And the icing on the cake is that there’s funding available from the government to help pay for apprenticeship training so it’s well worth looking into.
You can also personalise the scheme for your own business to ensure it develops staff with the skills to meet your business needs and put them on the right ladder to progress with your company. There are so many benefits.
If I’ve learned anything from the TV show it’s not to take the programme too seriously.
That said, you can still learn some valuable business lessons, even if that means learning what NOT to do!
Get ready to tune in this Thursday – I know I will be!
Scotland sees boom in new business births
In a testament to Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit that 2023 witnessed the establishment of more than 38,000 new businesses across the nation.
The remarkable surge, according to new research by UK insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, came as music to my ears as it not only underscores resilience in the face of economic challenges, but also signals a wave of innovation that could redefine the Scottish business landscape.
The numbers speak for themselves, reflecting a diverse range of ventures that have taken root in various sectors. This entrepreneurial boom is not only a positive economic indicator but also a testament to the confidence and creativity of Scotland’s business community.
At the heart of this surge is the agility of businesses to adapt to changing circumstances. The ability to identify opportunities amid uncertainty and turn them into viable enterprises showcases the dynamic nature of Scotland’s commercial landscape.
The diversity of industries represented in the new business landscape is particularly noteworthy. From tech startups to sustainable ventures, the range of enterprises reflects a forward-looking approach, aligning with global trends and societal priorities.
Scotland’s business ecosystem appears to be evolving, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the success of these new ventures is not guaranteed. The coming years will be critical, demanding ongoing support from the government, access to funding, and mentorship opportunities to nurture these fledgling firms.
It Made Me Laugh
AI Chatbot Chaos
It’s great to see companies harnessing the power of new technology and using artificial intelligence to make things more efficient.
But it looks like delivery firm DPD may have jumped the gun when they let their AI chatbot loose to handle customer enquiries.
I couldn’t help laughing when I read about a cheeky customer pushing the boundaries to see just how ‘helpful’ the chatbot would be.
They asked it to swear, and it dutifully did so. They also asked it to write a poem criticising the company and it obeyed and called the firm a ‘customer’s worst nightmare’.
Sounds like this bot is every company’s worst nightmare!
It Made Me Weep
Frozen Out: Energy Crisis Deepens
As freezing temperatures grip Scotland, a stark reality unfolds for four in 10 households grappling with unaffordable energy costs.
I was deeply alarmed by the recent report on rising expenses, commissioned by the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, which since the start of the pandemic paints an extremely sombre picture.
This heartbreaking scenario underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the affordability crisis, ensuring that vulnerable households are not left in the cold, both figuratively and literally.
As Scotland faces the dual challenges of extreme weather and economic hardship, compassionate and effective interventions become paramount.
As we navigate these challenges, a united front from energy businesses and policymakers is essential to bring about tangible relief for the affected households.
