Alex to a tee.

As you say, he may have some bad points, but as regards this task he was correct in everything but the promo spot, and even that would have won out if the shop was permanent, as he knew the busiest footfall area.

Odd you say he had no ideas, when he was full of common sense ideas for increasing sales, something that Paloma certainly never showed.

I cant see him winning, as he simply hasnt shown the ability to kick someone while they are down that seems to be the winning formula on TA.

The problem with Alex is that he just irritates everyone around him when he speaks. I can see him boring the pants off Lord Sugar. lol

This^^. He's not going to win, but he does have attributes and is not usless by a long shot.

Dffwrtrr

What exactly about the shop layout. Just to say it wasnt good. The footage on tv doesnt show enough of it, to be able to tell how it could be improved. He knew he was talking on 'camera' he should have told us how to improve it. We dont know why Paloma didnt take him up on it. There may have been some reason. No one seems to realise that this wasnt a mistake on the 'spur' of the moment. He had plenty of time to think about it. As i already have written I would make an arrow trail to the shop unit. He knew about the TV in the centre, why didnt he think about it before. Do all these apprentices go to their tasks without thinking at all in advance. That is what it always looks like. No planning whatsoever. I am waiting for the task when they have to run all over London to buy a few articles. Instead of phoning the shops in advance if they stock them and what their prices are.
And if the shop doesnt want filming in it. I would come in a wheelchair and ask the manager to come outside to discuss it.
No manager would refuse if he could get a sale.

He tried too. he said about bringing the rails forward and into the centre by the door so people could see the stock. he was cut off by Paloma and I think Sandeesh, one of whom said rather mornically something like... if you do that they can't see the stuff behind it.


That is a good idea, but it may not have got clearance from the Mall Manager.

That is a fair point. It could be a simple reason why not. We just don't know so it's hard to comment.

Usually someone cottons onto doing something like that towards the end.

LOL! Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't. It's easy to come up with ideas sat at home watching. When you are actually doing it, you have other members of your team doing various good/bad things and possibly getting frustrated as the PM is useless (assuming you arent the useless PM) it's entirely different.

Using what you said. You go to a shop and the shop says no filming inside. Where does the wheelchair come from? Do you just happen to have one with you as you are racing about London? Do you call 118 118 for the number of the company that does emergency wheelchair hire within three streets of where I'm standing?
Or would you buy/hire a wheelchair the night before you know what the task is just in case a wheelchair will come in useful?

Having just been told to get out, the Manager now comes out and sees you eitherin a chair pretending you now suddenly need it or standing not using a chair so you have lied to him. On top of that you are now trying to do business on the street. That gives a great impression of who he is dealing with. I'm sure they'll want to do business with you.

True! and he's saved the situation more than once in previous tasks - so overall a good team player but unfortunately not what LS is looking for.

"I think Sandeesh, one of whom said rather mornically something like... if you do that they can't see the stuff behind it."
well there you are, they had good reason not to.
"That is a good idea, but it may not have got clearance from the Mall Manager"
I cant see why not. He even let them go on tv. A few arrows wont hurt. It neednt be that many.
No you phone the shop in advance. I think they anyway have to do that. Otherwise they would get nowhere on the day.
I know where to 'borrow' them for nothing. Try any hospital. LOL.
If its selling to the customer they will do business anywhere.
These are genuine sales remember
Then there are 3 people always going into the shop, so two go in and one stays outside. And the two ask the manager to come to the 'boss' outside.

ok without the wheelchair one can stay seated in the car and do the same thing if they can part outside

Alex is only on the show as eye candy for the ladies.

Alex???

I like him too.

Unlike others, he knows when to keep quiet.

He reminds me of James Max from series one.

I can't see him lasting much longer! He should be made Project Manager. It could be be one of the great Apprentice meltdowns. Ha ha ha.

Lol ! - I've a feeling Lordy Sugar will make him on the next show.

Sadly, if Joanna's on his team, I feel he'll be eaten alive by her

Yep, I was right. It was one of the great Apprentice meltdowns!

I liked him I don't think he was the best candidate, but he was definitely not the worst. I feel sorry for him, I really do think he's a genuinely nice guy and very good at what he does in real life. I do believe people don't take him seriously cos he kind of is a short stumpy odd guy, but had someone tall, confident and good looking made the points he's made each week in maybe a more articulate way, they'd be really praised. I think they were after making him look a bit like James from last year. Very intelligent succesful guy in the real world-not on the apprentice where it's all bravado and ego's.

I do think he deserved to go for this task though, but sad to see him go. I didn't like Alan ********Sugar, who I find no better or credible than Simon Cowell, disagreeing with his decision to bring Sandeesh into the boardroom. I honestly don't believe Alex is a nasty or manipulative person and I think his motives for taking her in were genuine.

Interesting point however appearance (be it good looks) can go only so far. If you mess up the task and you're seen to be the one responsible being good looking won't save you. Look at Paloma. I'm sure many men would say she was pretty, her looks didn't save her from being fired. But yes, I sense Alex was often dismissed because he was a bit short and acted a bit odd. But that's life, I guess. It's unfair!

I don't see what they were looking at! She was sooo ugly!! My brothers and boyfriend that I watch with each week thought she was too! I honestly don't get the comments on here about her being pretty. But back to my point, she was agressive and a bully about things, without being constructive. Alex is constructive, but just lacks any charisma and doesn't have respect from people. Do you know what I mean? Like, I don't think Paloma was a capable or good contestant, she was clever, but not in the right way. Intelligent person, but just a disaster at everything.

Mrstimmy

You don't seem to realise the guy is socially and intellectually inadequate.

He can't manage, he can't direct, he can't gain respect, he can't solve problems, he can't perceive problems, he isn't creative, he is naive, he is stupid, he is an attention seeker, and worst of all, he is utterly deluded about his capabilities.

The peak of his capabilities were displayed last week when he got an advert in the Trafford shopping centre where he had worked previously and therefore had the advantage of pre-knowledge of the opportunity. Last week he also made the comment that the shop looked empty, but he couldn't even communicate that in a non-confrontational and constructive manner, even when he has a valid point he is unable to communicate it successfully.

He is absolutely useless and he confirmed all of my analysis from last week.

I totally realise the guys socially a bit retarded! But I just get the impression that's how he is in the world of the Apprentice. He made seom intelligent comments and I think in the real world when he was relaxed he would be much better. I don't think there's anything malicious about him.

I do disagree about your point he didn't communicate in a non confrontational manner with the shop looking empty. I think he communicated constructively but Palomo's aggressiveness towards him (and everyone) caused the tension. Like when he told Melissa to stop dragging her heels. I don't think he was aggressive or rude, but he stood firm and made his point clearly, and he didn't back down to her bullying or aggressive response.

It was a case of 'When' and not 'if' Alex was going to go, he's a knob, but a fairly harmless knob.
When someone starts spouting marketing, bullsh*t psychobabble such as "When everyone else is zigging......I zag" and the completely laughable "If I was an apple pie.........." etc.
He has obviously read "Marketing for Dummies" and taken it literally.
I used to work with someone similar to Alex, nice enough, but a joke business wise, he would say things to colleagues such as "The trains leaving the station......and you're not on it" or if you asked him how he was, as in "Morning X, how are you today?" He'd say bollo*cks like "Ooooh, I'm so good.......I should be twins"

Alex you're fired........correct decision IMHO

No one has suggested he is malicious, but he does aggravate people in his attempts at self-aggrandisement. He revels in finding fault in the performance of others and volubly announcing it, he sees it as an opportunity to increase his self-worth and reduce the worth of others, and naturally this behaviour annoys everyone around him. He is like a small child who isn't quite aware that striving to get noticed isn't appealing, particularly as the attempts often feature undermining others.

I suspect that he is usually ignored and so when he feels he has something significant to say he strives for recognition by delivering the message at maximum volume and force.
A more mature person would have raised the issue of the shop with Paloma in a less confrontational way, he behaved in exactly the same way to Melissa where he delivered a message in a confrontational and personally critical manner designed again to exaggerate his role and to minimise her capabilities.

You only had to see him in YF to have Phoebe's view confirmed.

'Is that good news or bad news?' in the naff-caff. Doh.
'Antics'. Nobody uses that word any more - except ironically.
'I hoped and prayed...' It's The Apprentice, not the crucifixion.
Retail guru/ visionary.
'I got on with everyone the whole time..' You cannot be serious!

The list goes on. Hilarious and complete proof of his potential as a walking business disaster/embarrassment.