Strategy and not Tactics

Can someone please start teaching the Apprentices the difference between Tactics and Strategy before the programme airs each Season. Maybe it could be part of the introduction and health and safety package.

And while we are at it, could someone check out the behind the scenes footage before the FIRING. You know the sort of thing “I wasn’t too impressed by your behaviour when you done so and so and for that reason you are fired”. Because in the real world people are more often than not pushed out for what they say, do, stand for, rather than for failing a task or being a pivotal part of that task failure.

Daily Blog

Hi everyone, I apologise for not writing much this week but we have been away, I have been trying to relax, and the brilliant news is that Mr Tister is home on one of his lovely visits. It all began a few weeks back with a repetitive "I neeeeeeeeed Grandad" followed by, "Grandad we're coming", only to be informed that they were on their way to Tesco, and not our home on the coast. Poor thing, he must have been crest fallen. But the next day they set out on their seven and a half hour adventure.

Mr Tister is like a whirlwind; and has even taken to encouraging me to make a few things. This morning it was Duplo Space Ships with "four, two, three, balst off" (nope it's not a spelling mistake), whereas this afternoon we dismantled the started and never finished 'n' gauge railway in order to make a flat board and keep it simple i.e. the trains go round and round. You see like Tom on the Apprentice I am also a starter-none-finisher. It started when I became ill and hasn't really re-engaged. I know that I do it, but I can't seem to shake it off. The commentary from Mr Tister has included; "Come-on Grandad" and "Grandad, where are you", and even "Oh, traiiiinsssSSSS! Choo CHOOOOOO". Brilliant; health, happiness and family, that is all that matters.

I have so much to tell you, but as is so often the case there is so much else impacting on my time and focus. Well writing is a passion, but you have to be up for it, even when dealing with your passions. There have been 362 posts over three years, so on average it appears to be one post every three days. Mind you, like today, some days I write more than one post. You know the feeling; when some days are good and other days are bad. So it is more akin to one post every 3.5 days or two posts per week. I'm more of a "Weekend Magazine" than a "Daily Blog". But the frequency is not just about ability, passion, enthusiasm or any other impact. One of my close friends is unwell at the moment and I feel for him as I have been through the wringer so many times. Well, three times to be precise.

So I do apologise that the writing is more often than not ad-hoc rather than 'Daily', but the best intentions are there. When I do pen something you can be assured that it really feels good this end. So with Mr Tister around; the Blog can be placed on the back burner for a few days or at least until late at night. But whoever you are and wherever you are, I sincerely hope that you enjoy and continue to enjoy good health.

The Apprentice

Don't read this if you have taped the programme and foolishly several days later still haven't watched it, but are dumb enough to trawl the Internet!


Well folks back in May 2011 the day after the first episode I blogged amongst others things; "My money is on the inventor". Well that was a very good call indeed as my two preferred candidates made it to The Final, and Tom the Dyslexia sufferer won. Well done Tom, you were a great contestant, you came across as a lovely chap, and you offer hope to Dyslexia sufferers everywhere.

Plus a big well done to Lord Sugar for continuing to run with the series and thereby providing lots of business ideas and experience to thousands upon thousands of people. No wonder he is a Lord.

The Apprentice

There’s one thing that you have to say about each and every one of those that commit to BBC and Lord Sugar show ‘The Apprentice’ (BBC weekdays); they all have belief in themselves. I mean who in their right would during a time of recession give up paid employment to take a chance? It may be the ‘pessimistic me’ but if Lord Sugar called me up and asked me to give up work and appear in the Final of the Apprentice with only one other opponent, then my extremely smart answer would have to be a resounding ‘no’.

It’s not because I retired young and don’t have to work, it’s all about the fact that the other person will win. 'Yes' I do want a job, and I mean forget that I understand planning, strategy, entrepreneurism and the like. It’s just a case that everyone including Lord Sugar will like the other finalist and find a way to let me know that I didn’t get the job. Not because I am unlikeable, it's just how these things go. Now if I am bright enough to recognise that two people isn’t a 50-50 chance, then what are the odds when there are eleven others and a huge number of tasks and board meetings to get through. And if that wasn’t bad enough, you have to shine while nearly everyone else throws a knife or tries to hoist you up onto a meat hook. Well I'm used to that part, in fact I am a seasoned campaigner at dodging knifes thrown by those who ain't that good.

Now I’m also pretty good at identify the patsy at the start of each series. That is the first person to go, every time a new group assembles. Once I picked the correct person simply from the pictures in the 'Radio Times'. Well ‘pretty good’ probably underplays my knack. You see, it’s 100% since the programme began.

Now that looks good on paper, but if we contextualise the statement, then maybe we recognise that when the programme airs, I don’t even know if the ‘boys’ or the ‘girls’ win the first task. I pick the loser within minutes of the programme starting. But during the opening moments of this series, I wavered. I chose two people, no not a boy and a girl, but the eventual victim and his ‘orange’ partner. "Is it an Orange?" response, "Mmmm, I’m not sure". You will have to excuse the paraphrasing, as that’s sort of what I thought that they said when they were together. The most important thing is that those of you who watched the opening episode, will know the two chaps that I mean. Mind you, I selected these two, long before their trip to the market.

My money is on the inventor or the oriental lass. She seems very switched on, he also. He comes across as a bit of an oxymoron in many ways, an inventor who talks sense. ‘Soup Man’ must also be a favourite along with someone who I think is called Gavin. Those of you who follow the Blog know that I am a Briggs Meyer ENTP and not particularly good with names. That’s why I like ‘Sir Alan’, and ‘Lord Sugar’, they are easy to remember and sort of roll off the tongue. I clearly remember ‘Amstrad’ as it stands for ‘Alan Michael Sugar Trading’, and that is something that I can remember and associate with the name.

But for the world of me I simply cannot recall the name of the first episode loser from last night. I know that he used to be an accountant, and I know that he sort of maintained my 100% record, Fred, Frank and Fickle come to mind, but I’m confident that it’s none of those. I also know that he is short as I think that he told us so during the programme, but I am not sure if everyone else heard that passing comment. Now then Lord Sugar, give us a call, I ‘Double Dog Dare You’. And anyone from South Wales knows that you got to do a double dog dare. Can you imagine it; Lord Sugar, the lady on the left, the chap on the right (both of whom come across as being lovely by the way) and me! The problem being of course, after watching every episode and every series, I still don’t know their names. Now ‘Margaret’ that rings a bell, but I don’t think the football club owner is called Margaret, and I don’t think that she bakes either. Tee he hee, me sat in the anti-room; “Lord Sugar will see you now”, “I said, (pausing for emphasis and increasing the volume) Lord Sugar will SEE YOU NOW”. Yeah, as if.