The Digital Spy Apprentice Series 4: The Interviews

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

I will now begin posting the interviews that have taken place over the past 11 days. Each remaining candidate attended four interviews which were:

-An interview about their relationships with candidates, carried out by Katie
-An interview based on opinions from the viewers and past candidates, carried out by Jack
-An interview based on a CV written beforehand, carried out by David (Tyjet)
-An interview based on the whole process and specific performance in tasks, carried out by David (Carlisle)

I'll be starting with Katie's interviews.

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Here is Katie's interview with Shadi:

Quote:
“[22:01:37] Katie Lamont: First of all congratulations on making it this far in the process. Did you expect to get this far in the contest?

[22:02:29] Shadi Awwad: Yes. I think you need to put yourself in a position where you see yourself going all the way or else you would have defeated yourself from the get go.

[22:02:37] Shadi Awwad: And thank you!

[22:03:14] Katie Lamont: Team work and strong interpersonal skills are extremely important in this process. Have you found it easy working with other candidates throughout the series?

[22:04:57] Shadi Awwad: Yes I did. I have grew particularly fond of Roxie and George because I was on their team most of the time but I have developed good relations with all contestants who played with me and I worked well with every combination of teammates I was placed with.

[22:06:17] Katie Lamont: How would you rate your team-working skills in comparision to the other semi-finalists?

[22:08:12] Shadi Awwad: Id say all four of us work very well in teams because I've worked with all of the, and found them pleasant to be with and I really don't think anyone this season besides maybe Stacey showed Any hostility towards their team or stood out as someone difficult to deal with

[22:10:50] Katie Lamont: So would you say in terms of team-work you're on the same level as the other semi-finalists?

[22:11:03] Shadi Awwad: Yes I would

[22:11:38] Katie Lamont: OK. Being able to work harmoniously with others is extremely important.

[22:12:29] Katie Lamont: That said it has been noticed that you've had disputes with other candidates. For example, Stacey as you just said as well as Zak. Do you think these disputes have made you come across in a bad light or harmed your chances?

[22:12:45] Shadi Awwad: Roxie has been very friendly towards me, George had become a friend and at times an ally throughout the game and Naruto was very pleasant to work with. So, I saw them as good team mates and that is only possible if I was also a good team mate or else I wouldn't have really been able to get along with them

[22:13:00] Shadi Awwad: I never had a dispute with Stacey...

[22:13:26] Shadi Awwad: That was George and Mitchn

[22:13:40] Shadi Awwad: I was always on her good side

[22:14:17] Katie Lamont: Sorry so it was. :O What about Zak?

[22:14:53] Shadi Awwad: As for Zak, my issue was with Louise mainly not Zak and him and I rebounded the next task and we'd always joke around and laugh and the advisors can attest to that. I really like him.

[22:17:14] Shadi Awwad: It was a one minute exchange with him but the bulk of that incident was my issue with Louise's unprofessionalism as I saw it. I never held anything against Zak, and actually the altercation was caused by him when he made a snarky remark after I'd asked Strve to fix the list that mentions who did what, so it wasn't really on me to start with, but we got over it quickly regardless and worked very well together

[22:18:10] Katie Lamont: Ok. I'd like to discuss the other remaining candidates with you.

[22:18:20] Katie Lamont: Out of the three other candidates who would you see as your biggest threat in the competition and why?

[22:18:58] Shadi Awwad: Roxie because she has been a strong competitor overall

[22:19:11] Shadi Awwad: She is nice and she performed well in tasks

[22:20:06] Shadi Awwad: I also believe that she is a hard worker who really works her tail off to get the job done and if facing her in the finals, i know that I will have some serious competition on my hands

[22:20:54] Katie Lamont: Alright and on the other end of the scale who do you see as the weakest candidate left in the process and why?

[22:23:16] Shadi Awwad: George because although he is a good team player, his personal record does not qualify him to be in the finals. He has lost as PM both times this season and he is 0/4 as PM in both DSA seasons he played in. I believe he is actually quite good but not on par of me and Roxie.

[22:23:39] Shadi Awwad: With me and roxie*

[22:24:00] Katie Lamont: So would you say you and Roxie are on par with each other or would you rate yourself better than her?

[22:26:47] Shadi Awwad: I believe I am stronger than Roxie to be honest. Roxie works hard. This is mostly it. She likes to research and to write and explain but she is not very creative. I haven't seen her come up with a main central theme in a task. Even when she was Pm she went with my app idea, and i think she's someone who's better at developing an already existing idea rather than creating it, whereas I am capable of both. She's also someone who sometimes suggests stuff without having any proper reasoning as to why she suggested them.

[22:27:16] Katie Lamont: OK and what would be your thoughts on Naruto as a candidate?

[22:27:34] Shadi Awwad: I think he is nice but kind of forgettable

[22:27:45] Katie Lamont: How so?

[22:27:57] Shadi Awwad: He works well but he never shone throughout the season

[22:28:03] Shadi Awwad: He tends to play it safe

[22:28:13] Shadi Awwad: And do just what it takes to make it every round

[22:28:28] Shadi Awwad: I don't see him as someone who grabs a task by its ears and just owns it

[22:28:43] Shadi Awwad: And he hasn't shown a variety of skills

[22:29:34] Shadi Awwad: I think he has a stronger personal record than George, but George is someone that you would remember more if you were keeping up with this because george puts his neck on the line more

[22:30:41] Katie Lamont: Interesting. My final question is what have you learnt from the process?

[22:33:56] Shadi Awwad: I have learned a lot about my skills. I didn't know I was that organised, creative and hard working. I have surprised myself, and I didn't know that I was that adaptable to new situations. I also learned important lessons about how a team works best when they work together, not independent of each other, and I learned about the Importance of quality over quantity. I also learned that risk doesn't always pay off, and that being realistic supersedes being original. I've learned that I also work very well in teams which actually surprised me because I like to do stuff myself but I have surprised myself this season

[22:36:07] Katie Lamont: That's great to hear. Is there anything else you'd like to add to the interview or tell me before we conclude the interview?

[22:37:56] Shadi Awwad: I hope that you liked the interview and I hope that you guys consider me for the finals because I know for a fact that I will pull out all the stops and finish what I had started ! Thank you!”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Katie's interview with Naruto:

Quote:
“[18:01:18] Katie Lamont: First of all congratulations on making it this far in the process particularly after the last series of DSA. Did you expect to get this far in the contest?

[18:02:39] Naruto Fan: Honestly, I did. From the earlier tasks, I could see that I was more committed to the process and was producing work of a higher standard so I did think that I was stronger than some of the people who have left us in the process.

[18:04:08] Katie Lamont: Team work and strong interpersonal skills are extremely important in this process and my interview with you will be about your relationship with other candidates.

[18:04:20] Katie Lamont: Have you found it easy working with other candidates throughout the series?

[18:06:48] Naruto Fan: I have. I haven't had any major disagreements or arguments with any of the other candidates. I have had minor cases of disagreements but they are all solvable. I do think I am extremely easy to get on with.

[18:07:46] Katie Lamont: OK I asked some ex-candidates their opinions on your abilities via a questionnaire and one ex-candidate said the following about you.

[18:08:41] Katie Lamont: "Naruto is a strong candidate but does keep to himself a lot and rarely volunteered anything beyond that of the task." This person also ranked you the worst out of the 4 semi-finalist.

[18:08:57] Katie Lamont: My question is do you think this is an accurate description of you and how would you respond?

[18:13:28] Naruto Fan: I don't think it is an accurate description. I do believe I contribute a lot of ideas and thoughts in brainstorm sessions, so much so, several times my idea has been picked, so I wouldn't say I keep to myself. Regarding the volunteering, I do think it is fine if you complete points not mentioned on the brief, but only if everything that was on the brief is completed to perfection which it normally isn't. So I would rather focus on tasks that were included and improve them, then start something new and get critiqued for not sticking to the brief when it was of a low quality and could have been improved.

[18:16:47] Katie Lamont: In comparision to the other semi-finalists how would you rate your team-working skills to theirs?

[18:18:20] Naruto Fan: I would rate it above Shadi and George and equal to Roxie.

[18:20:23] Katie Lamont: Do you think you've had any conflict with other candidates throughout the series? If so who with and do you regret it?

[18:21:41] Naruto Fan: I had a minor disagreement with Arran. I don't regret it as I do feel the PM had every opportunity to solve it but didn't and basically just watched.

[18:24:41] Naruto Fan: Apart from that, I haven't had any conflict with the other candidates and it has been all good terms.

[18:33:11] Katie Lamont: I'd like to discuss the other candidates with you. Out of the three other candidates who would you see as your biggest threat in the competition and why?

[18:34:30] Naruto Fan: I would say Roxie. She has had a lot of great ideas, is really friendly and accessible as a team member and is really hard working to this process.

[18:37:02] Katie Lamont: And on the other hand, who do you see as the weakest candidate left in the series? Why?

[18:41:46] Naruto Fan: George. I don't think he is very versatile and adaptable to the wide range of tasks we have had. Therefore, I don't think he knows what would work in certain types of markets. For example, Task 1 and Task 7, where he did PM, the team lost due to the decision they made over the central idea of what it was. Also, he is the only candidate to not have a PM win which shows the choices he has made haven't been the best.

[18:43:35] Katie Lamont: And what would be your thoughts on Shadi?

[18:45:56] Naruto Fan: I have only worked with Shadi for two tasks, and off that I would say he is really hard working and has a lot of good ideas. However, he isn't as available in group discussions as I would have liked a team member to be, that is me personally.

[18:46:34] Katie Lamont: And finally what have you learnt from the process?

[18:51:08] Naruto Fan: I have learnt a lot. Not to undermine my ideas because they can actually work and be successful. I have learnt several things about graphic design, I didn't know before. To vocalise critique more and I am adaptable as I have gone through this process, with the wide variety of tasks it has, and made it to the final four.

[18:52:24] Katie Lamont: Thank you for your time Naruto. Is there anything else you'd like to tell me before we bring the interview to a close?

[18:52:52] Naruto Fan: No.

[18:53:06] Naruto Fan: Thank you and I appreciate you taking out time to do this.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Katie's interview with George:

Quote:
“ [18:14:20] Katie Lamont: First of all congratulations on making it this far in the process. Did you expect to get this far in the process?

[18:14:52] George Millman: Thank you very much, Katie.

[18:15:28] George Millman: I think it varied at different points. There were occasions on which I thought that this stint I wouldn't get as far as I did last year, but on the last few tasks I started to feel like I really had a chance.

[18:17:34] Katie Lamont: Team work and strong interpersonal skills are extremely important in this process. Have you found it easy working with other candidates throughout the series?

[18:18:04] George Millman: I feel that I have got on with everyone very well.

[18:19:04] Katie Lamont: Prior to our interview, I asked some of the ex-candidates their opinions on the abilities of the four remianing candidates including you.

[18:19:14] Katie Lamont: One ex-candidate said George "does seem willing to leave other candidates out to dry".

[18:19:23] Katie Lamont: Furthermore, both the candidates I've already interviewed ranked you the weakest out of the 4 candidates. Would you say these are fair and accurate comments?

[18:22:02] George Millman: In terms of leaving candidates out to dry, I would say that that probably is fair, but I don't think that there is any shame in that and it doesn't apply just to me. This is a process whereby much as I want to get on with people, ultimately my priority is to win. The same can be said for everyone. As a result, I will be completely open about the fact that I have looked for people to scapegoat on tasks, because that is the way to prevent myself from being in a vulnerable position. So in terms of leaving other candidates out to dry - yes, I do that, but that isn't something in particular about me. Everyone does that, and if they claim that they don't they are lying. I just prefer to be honest about such things.

[18:23:55] George Millman: I certainly don't consider myself to be the weakest, although I can see that it is a very close call because there are some very strong people remaining. I can't speak so much for Naruto as I have only worked with him once, but Roxie and Shadi are both very strong. But that does not mean that I consider myself as weaker than them, quite the contrary. I think that they may have been a bit more noticeable in the early stages than I was, but I feel that I have come into my own as this process has progress, and I really think that I deserve to make the final.

[18:24:24] George Millman: If those people have any instances as to how I am the weakest, I will of course defend myself, but it is hard to do so without a context.
[18:25:40] Katie Lamont: OK I'd like to ask you how would you rate your team-working skills in comparision to the other semi-finalists?

[18:30:00] George Millman: Sure. I'll start with myself. I believe that I have got on with everyone throughout this process. I think every team that I have worked on has been quite harmonious, and on occasions when they haven't been, I have tended to be a bit of a piece-maker. An example I would offer is on the film task, when Roxie and Shadi were arguing over whether or not a discussion that we had been having for the last half hour was relevant to the task. I personally believed that we did not need to be having that argument, because regardless of whether or not it was relevant, wasting time discussing whether it was or wasn't certainly wasn't what we needed to be doing. I tried to just move on from that as quickly as possible. It's just one example, there have been a few times that I have been like, 'Guys, this conversation is not how we're going to win.'

[18:32:31] George Millman: As for the other candidates - it's a tricky one. Shadi is someone who a lot of people have thought of as having an 'attitude problem'. Personally I have never had an issue working with Shadi, but I can see how sometimes he can rise to people's bait. On Task 2 he fell out with Louise, and although I was actually completely on his side on that occasion, I did think that he dug his own grave a little bit by arguing with her. If I had been in his position, I think I would probably have not risen to it and had a private conversation with her later.

[18:33:56] George Millman: Roxie is extremely diplomatic - every bit as much as I am, if not more so. I do find that when working with Roxie her ideas tend to be the ones that are used - I'm not sure if that is because her ideas are necessarily any better than other people's, or if she is just very good at getting people on side. It's a useful quality to have, and I think it does mean that if any ideas backfire, it can be argued that everyone else agreed to it.

[18:34:31] George Millman: As for Naruto - as I said, it's hard for me to say because I've only worked with him on one task, but I got on with him on that occasion. But I haven't had that much chance to think a lot about how he relates to people.

[18:38:17] Katie Lamont: You touched on this earlier, but would you say you've had any conflict with any other candidate(s)?

[18:41:03] George Millman: I felt as though I did a little bit with Stacey on Task 1. I really enjoyed working with her, but when I brought her into the boardroom (in hindsight I should have chosen someone else, but it seemed like the right decision at the time) she seemed to take that very personally. She had rated me highly, and after that suggested that I should be fired along with Mitch. I tried to clear the air with her after that, but I felt she was a little bit distant from me in the following task, and then she stopped participating anyway.

[18:42:23] George Millman: A conversation that I had recently with one of the advisors suggested that it came across as though I bullied her, which I don't think is fair at all. I certainly did not have any malicious intent towards Stacey; I felt that we got on well, and I think that what happens in the boardroom stays in the boardroom. Although I should have brought someone else back instead of her, there was nothing personal in that decision.

[18:42:57] George Millman: Other than that, I really feel that I have consistently got on very well with my fellow candidates, unless you have an example that I have forgotten?

[18:44:26] Katie Lamont: No an interview is me questioning you not me giving my opinion of you and what you've done.

[18:44:52] Katie Lamont: Let's move on to discuss your fellow semi-finalists.

[18:45:16] George Millman: Oh, of course it is. I wasn't trying to suggest otherwise, I just thought that maybe you had notes on something that I had forgotten about.

[18:45:51] Katie Lamont: Out of the three other candidates who would you see as your biggest threat in the competition and why?

[18:48:52] George Millman: I would suggest that Shadi is, as I think that he has a lot more business experience than I do, and there have been a few tasks on which he has admittedly been more impressive than me. I do think that I have skills that he doesn't, but he is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

[18:52:26] Katie Lamont: On the other hand who would you view as the weakest candidate left in the series? Why?

[18:53:37 | Edited 18:53:54] George Millman: I would say Naruto, just because I feel as though myself, Roxie and Shadi have all come across as being quite impressive, and I don't feel that he matches up to us. Maybe I'd feel differently if I had worked with him a little more.

[18:58:29] Katie Lamont: OK and what would be your thoughts on Roxie?

[19:01:54] George Millman: This is an interesting one. Roxie is creative, and she's a great person to work with. She also has some really good ideas - Hurts on the Eurovision task was fantastic, for example, and that should work to her credit. However, I'm not sure that everything that she says is that fantastic. She lost the app task as Project Manager with Sing Something - I wasn't on her team, but I didn't think that that app was very good, and I thought it clearly had major flaws which obviously weren't addressed. On the last task, quite a lot of our ideas had either come from her or been championed by her, and they were criticised in the boardroom. Obviously as Project Manager I have to take some of the blame for that, and I'll admit that they sounded like good ideas when Roxie was putting them across - but as I said earlier, I feel like she is very good at making ideas sound fantastic when in fact they might not be.

[19:02:42] George Millman: In fairness to the girl, she has had some really good ideas as well - Hurts is the obvious example, and she chose a really good artist in Task 5 as well. But I'm not sure that all of her ideas are that great, and she has the knack of persuading people to go with them regardless of how good they are.

[19:03:42] Katie Lamont: Interesting. My final question is what have you learnt from this series of DSA?

[19:07:31] George Millman: I think that I have learned a bit about separating personal and professional. I thought that I was quite good at that already, but clearly I wasn't quite as good as I thought I was. I have found this series harder than last year because I have got on with people better - last year I was more of a controversial personality, but that did mean that I didn't feel much loyalty to the other candidates and could easily defend myself against them. This year has been harder, as I have made some good friends here and at times that has been tough with the competition. What I did in the Task 4 boardroom - offering to be fired over Shadi - was just foolish; Tyjet was absolutely right in his feedback to me, I had let my friendship with Shadi get in the way of business and I shouldn't have done that. But I have learned, and I feel that in the last few tasks I have remembered that much as I may get on well with them, these people are not my friends and colleagues, they are my competitors, and I should consider them as such if I want to win this (and I do, very much).

[19:09:00] Katie Lamont: Okay before we finish is there anything else you'd like to add to the interview which you haven't told me?

[19:11:10] George Millman: If I'm being honest, I am a little apprehensive about what will happen next, because much as I consider myself to be the strongest candidate, I'm not sure that Lord Sugar does. There are certain things that he has said which make me feel that he may consider at least one other person to be stronger than me. That may just be my paranoia, of course. I really hope that I can prove to Lord Sugar that I am the deserving winner of this, and that these interviews demonstrate that.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

and Katie's interview with Roxie:

Quote:
“ [15:25:23] Katie Lamont: First of all congratulations on making it this far in the process. Did you expect to get this far in the contest?

[15:30:37] Roxie: Hi Katie - thank you. No I was not expecting to get so far at first because I realize that some people have done it before and so I felt like I was at a slight disadvantage in knowing how everything works especially in terms of logistics like promotion and pricing but I think I have got the hang of things as time has gone on. I saw this competition as an opportunity to learn and improve myself, and I believe I have done that in the best possible way. So I do think that as the competition has gone on I have become a really strong candidate.

In fact I showed it on the first task, coming up with the winning idea for our restaurant which was a tropical, four cuisine theme based off bringing tropical holidays to British high streets, which both Lord Sugar and the viewers commented as being a good idea. So I definitely think I have settled down in this competition in in the best possible way and have continued to show that.

[15:33:18] Katie Lamont: Team work and strong interpersonal skills are extremely important in this process. Have you found it easy working with other candidates throughout the series?

[15:41:50] Roxie: Yes definitely, I believe teamwork and leadership skills are integral to being the next Apprentice or in fact being part of any team activity as each person has their own role to play, and has their own strengths and qualities which they excel in. I definitely believe teamwork and leadership are among my best qualities both as a candidate and as a person, and I have shown that throughout the process.

For example, I was animously praised in my first PM stint in Task 3 by my four team mates (Shadi said I created an easy to work in environment which allowed him to be as creative as possible), the advisor and Lord Sugar. David had also said I had done the best job in organising, delegating and managing my team that he had seen so far. In Task 6, I was commended by both members of the team, my advisor and Lord Sugar once again for being a great leader and a great team member. David even commented that the team was one of the most cohesive teams he had seen on all his years of DSA, I would attribute that to my handling of the team. I always delegate tasks based off personal strengths (such as Emma with design, George with promotion, Iain with concert production) and I always make sure that they are happy and comfortable with what they are doing.

As for my interpersonal and team skills, I have also shown that throughout the process. Both advisors have commented that I am a great team player and leader: for example, Louise said on Task 1 commenting that she found it great watching me interact with the team and that I am likable, David said on Task 3 that he liked the way I always take an interest in other people’s work and he has also praised my leadership on both occasions. I have gotten along with all the candidates – George, Iain, Naruto, Shadi, Emma, Steve etc really well and I have become good friends with all of them too which says a lot about my personality and my ability to be in a team, Iain in fact commented in the Task Announcement thread that I was one of the kindest and easiest people to work with that he has come across so far.

[15:43:16] Roxie: So I definitely believe that not only have I found it incredibly easy to work with other candidates but that other candidates find it easy to work with me, and my interpersonal skills are definitely an area I excel in.

[15:44:23] Katie Lamont: Great! Prior to my interviews I sent a questionnaire to the ex-candidates asking them their opinions on you.

[15:44:59] Roxie: Oh right - that is interesting.

[15:45:06] Katie Lamont: How do you think ex-candidates rated you in comparision to your semi-finalists and how would you rate yourself compared to them?

[15:45:33] Katie Lamont: especially in regards to your ability to work in a team.

[15:52:38] Roxie: I can be a bit headstrong and I can come up with lots of different ideas so I do appreciate that some may have said that I may appear to be a bit dominating in tasks but I only do that because I want us as a team to do well. But I believe it would mostly have been good things said about me as I have worked well with all of the candidates, and we have always been bouncing ideas off each other - David in particular said he enjoyed us doing that and he enjoyed watching how I contribute to other people's sections and make the ideas work (like I did in Task 4 with my ideas of social realism like domestic violence and alcoholism, trying to make Shadi's plot fit the target industry which was as a British independent drama).

I believe that all my fellow semi-finalists are all very capable. I have worked with all of them before and I believe they are all fantastic people to work with. But I do believe that I have the edge over them in several ways and therefore I should be the next Apprentice.

[15:52:59] Roxie: Wait sorry ignore that message.

[15:53:01] Roxie: I believe they would have rated me well as I have gotten along with all of them well and I have worked really well with all of them in a team environment. I do appreciate that sometimes I can be a bit headstrong and I can come up with lots of different ideas so I do appreciate that some may have said that I may appear to be a bit dominating in tasks but I only do that because I want us as a team to do well. But I believe it would mostly have been good things said about me as I have worked well with all of the candidates, and we have always been bouncing ideas off each other - David in particular said he enjoyed us doing that and he enjoyed watching how I contribute to other people's sections and make the ideas work (like I did in Task 4 with my ideas of social realism like domestic violence and alcoholism, trying to make Shadi's plot fit the target industry which was as a British independent drama).

I believe that all my fellow semi-finalists are all very capable. I have worked with all of them before and I believe they are all fantastic people to work with. But I do believe that I have the edge over them in several ways and therefore I should be the next Apprentice.

[15:56:01] Katie Lamont: Well the ex-candidates who got back to me rated you very highly. Do you think you've had any conflict with any of the candidates throughout the series?

[16:05:38] Roxie:
That is definitely something really uplifting and nice to hear, I am glad they did feel that way. I do believe that I have had a few conflicts with other people on task such as Shadi and Iain, and I appreciate I could have handled the situations a bit differently (in Shadi's case) and done more in my capacity as a team leader (in Iain's case). I believe with Shadi, we had an argument over his plot for Task 4 and I appreciate I should have handled that a bit more diplomatically and try to explain more why I thought the target genre and industry were inappropriate rather than criticising his plot. I did apologize in the first instance that task and tried to come to a compromise. He was also having a really bad day and I was there for him listening to his problem and making sure he was alright – I believe I showed a lot of team spirit and I showed that I care about my team members that task especially and resolved this conflict really well in that we are both really good friends now.

With regards to Iain, yes I do believe I could have managed him a bit better in Task 6 because he did have concerns that he was not being given enough material to work with. I believe I could have personalized my management style and given a bit of feedback back to during the task, through pms or otherwise, so he could have adjusted his pitch accordingly and he would have more to go on. So I feel I could have helped him out more that task. Also in the boardroom I may have said something which may have seemed like I was stabbing him in the back but I believe that it was more about minor issues which had never occured to me. But it was already so difficult to decide between George and Iain that minor issues were the only things I could use to decide which one in my opinion should have left the process at that time.

Also this is more off task but I said something to Zak after the end of Task 4 expressing disappointment in him for how he went about quitting because we were collaborating on many sections, leaving me to do the work all by myself at an unreasonable hour. In that case, I do feel I did say something out of line in that instance and I deeply regret that especially when he was going through a difficult period. I should not have said anything in the first place I feel.
[16:07:16] Katie Lamont: That's very interesting to hear your honesty about those situations. I'd like to move on to discuss your views of the other candidates now.

[16:07:22] Roxie: I do believe I have had the odd conflict with our candidates but I do believe I understand where I have gone wrong, and I will take steps to ensure that whatever shortcomings I have as a team player are not repeated. At the end of the day this process is all about your team winning as much as it is about personal success, and I believe that without your team succeeding you cannot have personal success.

[16:07:36] Roxie: Yes sure.

[16:08:02] Katie Lamont: Ok. Out of the three other candidates who do you see as your biggest threat in the competition and why?

[16:13:03] Roxie: I believe all of them are fantastic people to work with but I do believe that perhaps Naruto is the biggest threat in the competition. While I do believe Shadi is the most creative, from what I have worked with him on previous tasks, Naruto is really focused and he comes up with some great ideas (he in fact he came up with a few ideas for our restaurant which we merged together with my own). In Task 2 - the item scavenger hunt, I believe he was an excellent project manager and he did a great job delegating tasks to us, swapping items over so that we could undercut each other's prices. I liked the fact that we were all competing with each other really. He also found 5 other items along with myself. He's been shown throughout the process to be a driving force in ideas such as the film task and I think he is well rounded like myself in that he is also a great team player, focuses on the feasibility of an idea and has a good understanding of logistics as well. I believe Naruto is strong and more strong than other people give him credit for but I do believe it's close between all four of us.

[16:19:45] Katie Lamont: Who do you see as the weakest candidate left in the series? Why?

[16:29:37] Roxie: This is really difficult question and I find it hard to come an answer because everyone has their strengths but I do think I have an answer. Unfortunately I would have to say George is the weakest candidate left. George and I have become close in this process which is why this is hard for me to say but on balance looking at all the tasks so far I would have to be honest and say it would be him. I believe he is definitely a great team player and has a really sensible understanding of logistics. But while his team leadership style is good generally but it is a bit unfocused in terms of delegation (not delegating me the task of finding prices when I had done research on it, and not delegating Iain the task of coming up with ride ideas when he was the person who came up with the idea of a science theme), organisation (doing things last moment like not thinking about pricing for the art pitch until the last moment) and prioritisation (prioritising proof reading my pitch in Task 6's Eurovision task for example instead of coming up with more ideas for promotion which was what was delegated to him and possibly the most important part of that task). I do feel therefore that sometimes he lacks focus like Amy and David have said before that he needs to focus and prioritise answering his part of the brief and sometimes I feel he does not do that. I do also I do feel he pursues ideas without having sufficient evidence to back them up sometimes, so for example choosing the British film industry in Task 4 when Hollywood was much better for such a dramatic plot. I do feel George has strengths and he has been a fighter throughout this process but I do feel that he would be the weakest in terms of management style, focus and organisation.

[16:30:58] Roxie: He is an extremely passionate person though and he has been a great person to work with. Once again I am literally basing it off minor issues - everyone has done well to get up to this point.

[16:31:50] Katie Lamont: OK and whilst you've touched on it a little bit calling him the most creative, what would be your thoughts on Shadi as a candidate?

[16:39:18] Roxie: I believe Shadi is really strong as a candidate in terms of creativity. He has also been the driving force behind ideas throughout each and every task. I remember in Task 3's brainstorm, we had 5 people in the brainstorm but only myself and Shadi really contributed to it, he came up with lots of great ideas like a personal stylist and Sing Something in the end too. But sometimes I do feel he does not see the feasability in his creativity like with Task 4's film task - pursuing the idea of calling his film a realistic drama when it was more a thriller. Although I did support him completely I do see where the feasibility issues lie with Sing Something in Task 3 in that it could not be used in a public place, so I do feel it is somewhat of a recurring theme. He can also be quite stubborn about ideas, but I would attribute that to passion he feels for his ideas. Task 3 was a learning curve for myself in that I learned that you do not have to just be creative but also feasible in creavity and I just do not know if he has done that yet. However, he is a great team player (he also regreted how what he said during Task 4's argument), an incredible team leader (always motivating me throughout Task 6 and he did do a good job showing initiative when Arran did not turn up to do his art pitch) and is so passionate about his ideas which I think is great. So overall I believe he is strong.

[16:40:06] Katie Lamont: Interesting, my final question is what have you learnt from the process?

[16:57:37] Roxie: I have learned a lot about this process whether it be about other industries or about understanding the logistics behind how an idea works. I learned a lot about pricing and promotion and have even excelled in these areas, with viewers like Amy and Natalie enjoying my promotional plan in Task 4's film (film festivals, interviews, organizing social media competitions), and viewers and even Lord Sugar appreciating my marketing in Task 7's theme park (organising joint packages with hotels to other tourist destinations, taking advantage of Bollywood, advertising on brochures/native magazines). I have also been put out on my comfort zone on a lot of tasks such as the restaurant task and art task, and I have never once made any excuses for myself, I simply got on with the job and saw it as an opportunity to learn more about an industry which I am not familiar with. For example , I have never dealt with abstract art before but my pitch in Task 5 was praised by the buyer, viewers such as Amy, team mates such as Shadi and Lord Sugar himself for selling the art well and conveying my passion (for a subject which I did not even know about). That shows how willing I am to learn and take a subject which I am not so familiar with and turn it into a strength.

I have learned to be more sensibly creative as I said about Task 3 being a learning curve for me. I have learned to come up with unique ideas but that are sensible and feasible. For instance, I feel I already started that in Task 1, my idea was to do a tropical theme and four cuisine restaurant which would be feasible as Indian food is popular in this country but mixing it up with other cuisines would make our restaurant seem more original. But I have developed it as we have gone on due to developing an analytical approach basing decisions off a pros and cons assessment and market research/online reasearch, such as in Task 6 when I chose Hurts over my other ideas to use Bastille, Marina and the Diamonds, Ella Eyre etc because of their European popularity, years of live experience, Theo (the lead singer) being a classically trained vocalist, having a euro-pop styled sound (influenced by popular European bands like Muse and Depeche Mode), being associated with the European-wide superstar Kylie Minogue etc. And Lord Sugar said I was creative with my choice, saying while it may not have been his first choice of artist for Eurovision, it was definitely a sensible and he could easily see them on the Eurovision stage.

I have learned to always go above and beyond for the sake of the team, doing 2 or 3 extra sections to make our product look more polished and sensible. I have done this building on what Louise said on Task 1 before about my lack of availability and not working hard enough. For example, in Task 4 I did a section on budget breakdown using research from online on other independent drama film budgets. In Task 5, I include a whole price range which the buyer really liked the idea of – bridging income gaps using my cheaper prints. In Task 6, I included ideas to promote our concert, and ideas in general which would make our concerts better than others (such as reducing waiting times in between songs), and including a section on Where We Have Gone Wrong in Previous Years - all my own research from online and market research which arguably won us the task (as Lord Sugar praised our focused approach in getting to the heart of the topic which was how we were going to turn around dismal British showings at previous Eurovision contests). In Task 7, I included a promotional plan which was praised for being an extra part of the pitch. It is my general willingness to learn and the motivation to do as much as possible for the team that fuels why I go above and beyond and I feel that I learned to do that well in this competition.

[16:59:54] Roxie: So yes I have learned so much through this process and I want to continue that in to the last and final task.

[17:01:52] Katie Lamont: That's brilliant. Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to add before we bring the interview to a close?

[17:09:41] Roxie: Thank you Katie once again for taking the time out to conduct this interview and being so patient, I appreciate it a lot. I would just like to add that I believe teamwork and leadership are paramount to the structure of any profession especially the one I want to be a part of so the feedback I have got from teamwork and my leadership style in particular will be immensely useful and helpful to me, and this process has really helped me taught me a lot. I am thankful to all of you who have made this process so comfortable and useful. Thank you once again!”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Jakk's interviews are up next! Starting with his interview with Shadi:

Quote:
“Jakk: Hello Shadi, now my interviewing process is too ask questions based on what the public and past contestants have said about you in a PM I sent out. One of the things a lot of people mentioned was that you seem to have a problem with changing your ideas even if somebody has made a valid suggestion which could improve this product. Do you believe this is a valid criticism?

Shadi: I understand where it came from but this isn't really the case. I always make sure to get my ideas across and make sure they are heard, and I do that unapologetically. I never, however, shove any idea down someone's throat. It so happened that most of the time a task required ideas and creativity, that the PM, as well as those involved in the market research, and my team, preferred an idea of mine. So I never really try to force my ideas across, and the last task is a shining example of that. Naruto had a good idea, he liked it more than the one I had, and I supported it whole-heartedly and worked for our win. The only one time where I have showed resilience was in task 4 because we were working without a project manager, and before quitting on us, the PM had chosen the script I suggested as the one we use for our movie, and everyone else on our team loved it. But, after the fact, they tried to make extreme adjustments to it which would lead to its loss of identity, especially seeing how I am writing it as a book in a real life, so I tried to avoid major changes such as the era or the ending, but anything else I've allowed them to tweak and change. I just believed that instead of trying to completely change my script, they could've come up with one that fit what they had in mind and presented it to us, and we could've went with it, but they decided to jump on my bandwagon and then try to change some things that would not have really worked, and was a waste of time, so I opposed it. But besides that, I'm not really forthcoming or stubborn with my ideas, they just happen to like them the most.

Jakk: From what you've just written you seem to think of yourself as someone who's easy to work, but interestingly you and another person were both mentioned a lot when I asked who the hardest person to work with is. So do you think that maybe sometimes your unapologetic nature (as you said in your answer) is possibly a reason behind this?

Shadi: I precisely said that I will always unapologetically get my ideas across. If I have an idea, I don't know why I have to hide it. I'll explain it and let them decide whether they like it or not. As for why people think I'm the hardest to work, I really have no idea. Maybe it's because instead of sitting around and just doing the minimal that is being asked of me, that I try to go above and beyond and work in different areas that I feel need help in, but I never do that without the Project Manager;s consent. If you ask the 6 PMs I worked with, not one of them will say that I tried to overrule them or force my ideas on them. I just have a lot of ideas and so I am the loudest voice in the room, some people might not like it, but it's not a vice to be creative and outspoken if done within limits, and that's what I do. Honestly, people have looked at one incident that happen (in task 2) and decided to stereotype me accordingly. People love to put a stigma on a person, and so, seeing how the final 4 is a pretty friendly bunch of people., when asked who the hardest to deal with, they'll think about who had any sort of an altercation throughout the game, and yes I had one, but does that dictate how I have played this season and who I am as a person? I really don't think so. I am a person, that was not my highest point, but I was defending myself, and at the end of that task, I led my team into a win, so I don't see how I caused any problem that would make anyone think that of me.

Jakk: I understand where you're coming from with people taking into account one moment and stereotyping, but the fact quite a few people have said it may seem that its more than just one moment?

Shadi: No but see, it was one moment, but it was I guess one of the very few moments this season that stood out, so of course people (viewers and contestants alike) are going to remember that as the defining moment and stereotype me accordingly. My work ethic and my friendliness have been commanded by most people that I have played with, I am on good terms with everyone, and didn't really have issues with people throughout this whole process. But, an attempt to defend myself against injustice led to people seeing me in a negative light, which I have explain so many times before, but I'm not sure if those who judged me based on that are willing to really put some energy into understanding where I come from.

Jakk: Final question now Shadi, according to a few people you don't seem to take criticism to well, but from what I've seen so far in this interview you've been pretty understanding about the criticism so why do people who you've worked with and seen you work believe this about you yet now you seem perfectly fine with the criticism?

Shadi: Thank you! I honestly have no idea where that came from. In my real life, I'm very open to criticism if it's delivered respectfully and constructively. I am not going to waste my time on people who are either just trying to be rude, or those who want to drag me down. With that being said, in this game so far, any time my work has been criticized I changed it. Even when I was the project manager, and I showed my team my pitch, they had a couple of notes, and I took them and I changed some parts. I don't believe that my work is perfect and neither am I perfect, heck I am far from perfect. And if you have a criticism about me, you can do it because you care about me and want me to be the best I can be or do the best job I could do, or you might just want to get in my head and try to either insult me or hold me back. I have the ability to read people and know who is doing what, and I respond accordingly.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Jakk's interview with Naruto:

Quote:
“Jakk1: hello Naruto

[8:37 PM] guest-212840 left the room.

[8:37 PM] jakk1: are you ready to begin?

[8:37 PM] newuser5331: Yes.

[8:38 PM] jakk1: okay lets begin

[8:39 PM] jakk1: now my interviewing process is to ask questions based on what the public and past contestants have said about you in a PM I sent out

[8:39 PM] jakk1: and one glaring thing which came back when I asked people about you

[8:40 PM] jakk1: was that you don't seem to take credit when you make a mistake

[8:40 PM] jakk1: would you believe this to be true?

[8:43 PM] newuser5331: I am honestly quite shocked about that. I don't know where this has come from to be honest, and it is the first I have heard of it. I don't believe I have made a major mistake in this process that has led to the team losing. Unless a specific example would be given, I wouldn't know where this stems from to be honest.

[8:45 PM] jakk1: One of the tasks one person pointed out was the art task where your team lost, and the majority (including you) blamed your task failure on the fact none of you knew something about art, you didn't take blame you just made an excuse

[8:46 PM] guest-213002 entered the room.

[8:47 PM] jakk1: did you see the last post before you left?

[8:47 PM] newuser5331: My browser restarted and the chat has cleared. If you have said something after my response, could you copy and paste it please?

[8:47 PM] guest-213002 left the room.

[8:48 PM] jakk1: One of the tasks one person pointed out was the art task where your team lost, and the majority (including you) blamed your task failure on the fact none of you knew something about art, you didn't take blame you just made an excuse

[8:51 PM] newuser5331: To clarify, I did say something along the lines of 'probably' or 'to an extent', so I didn't say outright 'we lost as we knew nothing'. I don't think I made any mistakes which I can be blamed for on that task, as my pitch was well received compared to the other team members reviews.

Jakk: another thing which a few people mentioned was that one of your weaknesses was that you don't speak out enough, which I am seeing the complete opposite at the moment, so I want to know why you think people believe this?

Naruto: In group discussions, I do believe I vocalise all my thoughts, get out all my ideas. And this must be true because on several occasions, my idea has been chosen - Task 4, the app was mainly my idea, Task 1, one of the main parts of Tropicity of the rotary spinners was my idea, Task 7, Four Nature Theme Park and a large proportion of the rides were my idea - so I do think this idea of me 'not speaking out enough' is not fair.
The only thing I can probably associate with this, is the fact that in board rooms, I tend to answer questions straight through and avoid confrontation as it has never been in my nature. I do think it is the boardrooms that cause people to think this, as I do tend to just answer questions and not be a part of any arguments.
The confrontation thing you just mentioned, a few people did mention the fact you like to avoid it. But surely you must realise you can't be happy families in this game all the time?
I don't try to avoid it purposely. It is just that I have never found a need to argue with someone because I do get along with pretty much everyone. If someone was to say something negative about me which I didn't agree with, I would, honestly, confront them about it. It is just at this point, no one has.

Jakk: Final Question now Naruto and this is one that every single one of the PM's I got back from the public and contestants mentioned. You have a lot of good qualities as a candidate but the main problem is that you don't execute these skills well enough which results in you coming across as a strong but hidden candidate. You seem serious but with you apparently not putting these skills to use how do you think you'll be able to win?

Naruto: I do think that I do use all my skills efficiently. With the not standing out comment, I do think I stand out enough for me to get to this position. I do think I can win this most definitely. While I may not stand out as much as the others, I have been consistently good from task 1. I have not made any major mistake that has led to the team losing which to be frank can not be said of the other candidates (not sure of Shadi though). I do feel that 7 tasks of good/ a few great outweighs 7 tasks of great and bad. So I do feel I have what it takes.

I know I can't write essays as long as the other three and communicate as efficiently as them, but I hope my actions in the tasks prove I am capable of winning.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Jakk's interview with George:

Quote:
“jak11: Hello George, now my interviewing process is too ask questions based on what the public and past contestants have said about you in a PM I sent out, one thing quick a few people mentioned was that you somewhat lacked leadership skills, and your track record as PM suggests that highly. Do you agree you're a bad leader or were your losses just unlucky?

[4:21 PM] george: To be honest, I don't really understand why they have said that. In both of the tasks that I have led, despite losing both times, my team has always really rated me as a leader.

[4:24 PM] george: I don't think my leadership skills in themselves are a problem. The mistakes that I made on the first task were reaching a decision too quickly before I'd properly weighed up the alternatives, and I'll hold my hands up to that. However, that was back in Task 1, and the next time I was Project Manager I didn't do anything like that. Admittedly we lost again, but it was a lot closer, and I made sure that we had a wide range of options to choose from, and I made decisions from that that the team were happy with, and was consistent with what our market research had said.

[4:25 PM] george: Also, I would point out that none of the people who were on my team the first time were on my team the second time, so it can't have been to do with my leadership skills appealing to just one person.

[4:27 PM] jakk11: so in that first task you made decisions too quickly, by any chance was it due to the pressure of it all, as again a few people mentioned that when you're under pressure you kind of crumble?

[4:28 PM] george: I think that there is something to be said for that. I did feel quite pressurised in the first task, and I feel that maybe I didn't handle it that well. However, I feel that there have been occasions since then that I have been under more pressure and I have been able to keep my cool a lot better, the most recent task being a case in point.

[4:30 PM] george: Having said that, I would also like to point out that I don't think I handled it that badly even in the first task. I had to post the entire pitch myself, and respond to questions about it, and it was said by either Lord Sugar or an advisor (I can't remember which) that they were impressed by how well I managed to do that. So there were clearly parts of even the first task that I was able to keep my cool. I possibly could have handled certain things better, but I certainly didn't crumble.

[4:33 PM] jakk11: Another thing some people pointed out was that you seem to think you're "always right" and at times fail to see the bigger picture at times, do you believe this to be true?

[4:34 PM] george: Do you have an instance?

[4:36 PM] jakk11: George this is from people whom have worked with you and have mentioned you being like this in group discussions

[4:36 PM] george: Well, I do think it is a little unfair

[4:36 PM] george: *to say that about me without giving an example of when I have done that, but I will try to answer that based on what I know anyway.

[4:39 PM] george: As I said, I think that possibly one of the failures that I have made in this process is jumping to an idea without properly considering alternatives. Having a background in theatre, a lot of the time in my work I have to be creative, but if I personally believe in something I tend to just run with it as I think with art it doesn't necessarily matter if your audience don't see what you do. In business, you can't do that so much as you have to appeal to your target market, and I think that in a couple of tasks (namely Tasks 1 and 4) I possibly forgot about that and thought with the wrong head. However, I feel that there have been many tasks on which I have really considered what would appeal to the people that I

[4:41 PM] george: *was pitching to, and I think that a lot of the time I have been right. I came up with a great artist on Task 5, for example. I designed a really good advert that said what our app was all about in Task 3. There may have been times when I have made mistakes as far as that goes, but every creative person has. However, I think that the majority of the time I have been right in my assertions. I wouldn't say that I was always right, but I think a lot of the time I have been.

Jakk: okay now for the final question and I feel this one is the most interesting one, now I asked people who the hardest person to work with was and you were one of two people to be mentioned most often but it was said that you have a different way of thinking to the other candidates which could've lead to this. Now what i want to know is do you believe that your way of thinking is a strength or a weakness and do you think this could of lead to so many people mentioning you as most difficult to work with?

George: Hi Jakk

Sorry for taking a couple of hours to respond; I wanted to consider your question a little before responding.

It is difficult to know where to start without considering exactly what is meant by 'my way of thinking'. This isn't exactly clear from the question, but if I consider to myself what sets me apart from the other candidates in terms of how I approach tasks, I would say that I think in quite a logical, ordered way and I have clear ideas of what needs to be done. I would also say that I have more attention to detail than the other candidates - I am certainly the best at small things, such as proof-reading pitches to make sure that they flow well, are grammatically correct and so on, which I have taken responsibility for on most of the tasks. I think that at times that may have come across as more of a negative quality than a positive one, as there has been criticism levelled at me that I pay so much attention to detail that I don't actually spend enough time in making sure that we have a good product. I think that possibly there may have been some truth in that on certain tasks, but it certainly does not define me as a worker. I think that coming across as professional and confident is very important, and if that can be done in conjunction with high levels of creativity (and it can) then having someone with those skills on a team is definitely an asset.

Apart from on one occasion in the Task 4 boardroom (which was under exceptional circumstances) I do not view this process as a game, I view it as work. I have no idea how my fellow candidates see things, but I doubt that there is anyone who takes this process more seriously than I do. I am completely determined to win this, and I think I deserve to win it actually. Possibly another thing that has contributed to people suggesting that my 'way of thinking' may make me difficult to work with is the fact that I am completely honest about looking for scapegoats on task in order to point the finger of blame if we lose. This came up in my interview with Katie yesterday, when she asked if I hang people out to dry. My response was that I do, but I'm not the only one; the nature of this competition means that everyone has to do that if they want to win this. Of course, some people are not so direct about it, and maybe me taking that approach leads some people to feel uncomfortable around me, as if they cannot trust me. Personally, I really like to be direct. If I'm going to scapegoat someone, I think I may as well be frank about what I'm doing, and pretending otherwise is cowardly.

Finally, I would say that you did point out that while people may have said I was the hardest person to work with, I was actually the person who came up joint most often. Considering that there are only four people left in the competition, I really don't think that that says very much about me that cannot also be said about others. Another thing that I would say is that this 'way of thinking' has been assessed by former candidates. They may have a point and I will respect that, but ultimately my way of thinking has got me to where I am in this process, and will hopefully get me into the final and ultimately to be awarded the win. Meanwhile, those people who have made that assessment have fallen along the way. My way of thinking may have made people find me uncomfortable to work with, but if they are gone and I am still here, it surely means that I'm doing something right. So in answer to your question, I would say that I believe my way of thinking and my approach to the tasks to be a great strength, 100%.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

and Jakk's interview with Roxie:

Quote:
“Jakk:Hello Roxie now my interviewing process is too ask questions based on what the public and past contestants have said about you in a PM I sent out

[6:21 PM] roxie: Hi Jack - thanks a lot for taking the time out to conduct this interview with me. And ok sure.

[6:22 PM] jakk11: one thing a few people mentioned was that you let yourself get talked out of good ideas and don't exactly stick out your gut out either for your own ideas? Now why people think this and do you believe this to be true?

[6:32 PM] roxie: I would agree that at the beginning of the process I let myself get talked out of good ideas particularly in Task 3 - the app task where Shadi managed to convince me that it was a bad idea to send out market research to people who were going to be voting for us and only to put social media connectivity in the limited package instead of also including local network connectivity, thus making our app slightly more restrictive than it should have been. I feel I did let myself get talked out of some good ideas.
However, I have worked on that throughout the process and had more conviction in getting behind my ideas, for example in Task 4 I believed that we were building a plot without any sense of a target industry and I said as much. Iain was saying we should use a heavy metal band like Skillet for our task to find a Eurovision act and I stood my ground and said it would be a bad idea because it is a relatively niche genre and they are not even a British band. Iain was also convinced that Somebody To Die For would not be a good song choice for Eurovision but I was convinced that the song would be an excellent choice due to the style (a ballad), the meaning and the fact that Hurts preform the song so well live (and Lor

[6:37 PM] roxie: I would agree that at the beginning of the process I let myself get talked out of good ideas particularly in Task 3 - the app task where Shadi managed to convince me that it was a bad idea to send out market research to people who were going to be voting for us and only to put social media connectivity in the limited package instead of also including local network connectivity, thus making our app slightly more restrictive than it should have been. I feel I did let myself get talked out of some good ideas.

[6:37 PM] roxie: However, I have worked on that throughout the process and had more conviction in getting behind my ideas, for example in Task 6 Iain was saying we should use a heavy metal band like Skillet for our task to find a Eurovision act. I stood my ground and said it would be a bad idea because it is a relatively niche genre and they are not even a British band. Iain was also convinced that Somebody To Die For would not be a good song choice for Eurovision but I was convinced that the song would be an excellent choice due to the style (a ballad), the meaning and the fact that Hurts preform the song so well live (and Lord Sugar agreed with that).

[6:38 PM] roxie: So I feel I definitely do not let myself get talked out of good ideas and I can put my foot down when it needs to be put down especially now. I always make decisions based off evidence and pros and cons (which is how I came to the conclusion we should use Hurts for Eurovision in the first place) so I definitely feel that I do get behind my ideas and also that I get behind the right ones with sufficient evidence from online and market research to back me up.

Roxie: I do believe I am a strong minded competitor but in a sensible way. I do always listen to other people's opinions and see the strengths in them, for example I did also say that with regards to Skillet that Lordi did win Eurovision so perhaps the genre is not as niche as you would think it is, so I see the strengths in other people's ideas.

[6:48 PM] roxie: But at the same time, I also voice my concerns when I realize when they are not sensible or feasible. For example, in Task 4 when I saw that we were incorrectly structuring our task, building a plot without any regards to genre or industry which was the whole point of the task. And then an inappropriate industry and genre was assigned to them, I felt that was completely wrong and I voiced my concerns at it. But even so I still tried to make it work.

[6:48 PM] roxie: I also get behind my own ideas in a passionate way now, for example in Task 5 the passion I showed in my pitch for Danny O'Connor's abstract art was commended by viewers, team members and Lord Sugar alike which showed I had real belief in the artist I had found.

[6:49 PM] roxie: But I only get behind my ideas when I believe them to be sensible and appropriate, i.e. through a pros and cons assessment and evaluating the idea through evidence, for example in Task 6 when I chose to use Hurts, I did so because of their experience, and how well suited they would be to the Eurovision market (having well-established European popularity). So I am strong-minded but in a sensible and appropriate way as to avoid conflict and make sure the team is all happy. At the end of the day my priority is the team win and I will do as much as possible in my capacity to ensure that happens.

jakk11: Another thing a few people mentioned was that when it comes to negative feedback (such as viewer feedback) you don't react well to it, do you believe this to be true?

[7:00 PM] roxie: Q3) I understand that criticism especially from the way I reacted in the Task 3 which was arguably my biggest regret and mistake in this whole process. I would attribute part of my reaction in that BR actually due to personal circumstances as my mother was going through something quite traumatic, I normally hate to make excuses for any situation but I just feel that is necessary to state because I did feel that affected my state of mind at the time.

[7:01 PM] roxie: However, I have still learned from this that I should be gracious and accepting in defeat and to take criticism on more humbly no matter the circumstance. I should have stuck to my analytical approach and just assessed where we have gone wrong as I normally do rather than criticising the viewers who had given up time to go through our pitches.

[7:01 PM] roxie: And I feel I have done that throughout the process. When David for example said I was arguably had more of a presence of a PM than George did in Task 7 for good or for bad, I accepted that it may have felt like that only because I was trying to do everything in my capacity to make sure we had won, and I appreciated at times I can be quite persuasive and convincing due to my analytical approach basing things off evidence and pros and cons assessment. In this case, I did not react adversely to his criticism and I did indeed take it in.

[7:02 PM] roxie: I feel this process is a learning curve and I will gladly accept any criticism that would make me a better candidate.

jakk11: Now for the final question pretty much every person mentioned that they felt you are extremely over positive and don't say a negative thing and to try avoid tredding on toes when you;re in a team with people, which I agree with, but as soon as you get to the boardroom you become very cut throat. So A) Why are you so positive when you know somethings wrong with a your teams pitch B) why does this change in the Boardroom? and C) is this part of a strategy to get yourself further?

[8:01 PM] roxie: I would agree with the view that I am a positive person. I believe that one of the reasons why I should win the Apprentice is due to my positive mentality. I never complain about a task or a role as I always take each task as a learning opportunity – a chance to learn more about an area which I do not know. I do not know much about abstract art or restaurants or theme parks but I am always willing to learn more about them, researching them online and learning about them from other people through market research.

[8:02 PM] roxie: I also believe that a positive mentality is important to being part of a team. I feel too often people disagree for the sake of disagreeing with something and that creates a difficult and unenjoyable environment to work in. So I like to do the opposite in that I want to create an environment which is helpful for ideas for example Shadi said that I made it easy for him to come up with good ideas in Task 3 when I led him (in fact all my team members gave me unanimous praise for my leadership), David said my team in Task 6 was arguably the most cohesive team he had seen in all of DSA history, and Iain said I was one of the easiest people to work with. I would attribute that to my positive approach – it makes it ea

[8:02 PM] roxie: it makes it easy for people to work with me and it is a personal asset.

[8:02 PM] roxie: I would disagree with the view that I am overly positive in that if anything I am diplomatic and I like to avoid arguments where possible. That is never a bad thing. I would also disagree with the view that I avoid tredding on toes when I am in a team with people as I am honest about my opinions and my views on task and will voice concerns if I deem something to be inappropriate and something that will not let us win for example in Task 4, when our target industry and genre were completely inappropriate for our plot. I voiced concerns with that idea the loudest during the task itself not just in the boardroom.

[8:02 PM] roxie: In Task 7, Iain felt I was disagreeing with everything he was saying but again I was doing that because his idea for a Doctor Who ride in India was not appropriate considering there is no demographic for it there.

[8:03 PM] roxie: So I do disagree with people where I think an idea may potentially be bad for the team, I will not disagree with them for the sake of it or without any evidence.

[8:04 PM] roxie: My approach during tasks is always about being honest but to do so sensibly and diplomatically which I personally I think is a good asset to have for a candidate. That is the same in the boardroom.I will not always know how we have gone wrong during the tasks otherwise I would definitely have said it on task. What occurs to me in the boardroom is usually what I think has lost us the task after Lord Sugar has asked his questions and voiced any concerns. I would disagree that it is ever about tactics, I am always honest about my thoughts.

[8:04 PM] roxie: I also do feel that sometimes it is minor issues which loses a team a task, ideas that I had not thought of as being important for example in Task 7 when apparently people were confusing the educational aspect of the science theme as being the main aspect of our campaign, that is not an idea which occurred to me on task as being particularly important, but clearly the theme itself suggested that idea. But I did not catch on to that during the task otherwise I would have voiced it.

[8:05 PM] roxie: I would disagree therefore that I change in the boardroom as I always very honest during tasks and that never changes going into the boardroom, I also disagree that there is any tactics in it. Often we lose a task because of minor issues or ideas which I had not thought of as being detrimental. I however do think my positive mentality is a great asset for me to have and makes probably the easiest person to work with on tasks, a great team player and creates an environment which is productive for ideas.

[8:06 PM] jakk11: thank you roxie for your time”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Tyjet's interviews are up next! Tyjet's interviews were based on a CV that candidates had sent him beforehand, so I'll be posting them first before the interviews, starting with Shadi:

(Shadi gave two CVs, the second of which was his proffesional CV from which I have omitted personal details that he gave)

CV 1:

Quote:
“
Digital Spy Apprentice: Season 4
Task 1: Team Inspired
Task 2: Team Inspired
Task 3: Team Inspired
Task 4: Team Inspired
Task 5: Team Inspired (Project Manager)
Task 6: Team Aptitude
Task 7: Team Aptitude

CV:

_Creating the Salad menu (task 1)
_Creating the promotional and marketing campaign for our restaurant. (task 1)
_Finding the cheapest items of 5/10 target items, including the item that led to our victory (flight). (task 2)
_Creating the "Sing Something!" app (task 3)
_Developing the commercial for our app (task 3)
_Creating the script for our movie (task 4)
_Project Manager (task 5)
_Led my team to the biggest clean-sweep victory this season (3/3 buyers chose our 3 different pitches) (Task 5)
_Responsible for the "Still Art" pitch. (Task 5)
_Created the tour for Natalia Kills: dates, set-list, cities, timing etc. (Task 6)
_Chose the song that Natalie would sing in Eurovision, as well as contributed to the main theme of the performance. (Task 6)
_Handled the social media aspect of Natalia's campaign (Task 6)
_Responsible for pricing list of our Park (task 7)
_Chose the location of our park, and developed a pitch surrounding it (task 7)
_Wrote the descriptions about every ride in our park, as part of our "brochure" if we were to ever create one (task 7)”

CV 2:

Quote:
“OBJECTIVE
Seeking a Finance position in a reputable company.

PROFILE
Excellent writing skills
Well-developed management and problem solving skills
Highly responsible, dedicated, punctual and organized
Decent communicator with surroundings
Ability to grasp new concepts quickly
Solid background in all business divisions

EDUCATION
Lebanese American University (LAU) - Beirut, Lebanon Feb 2012 – Present
BS in Business Studies - emphasis Banking and Finance
MGPA 3.97, CGPA 3.98
Beirut Baptist School
Lebanese Baccalaureate – Sociology and Economics section June 2011

WORK EXPERIENCE
Lebanese American University (LAU):
• Assistant in the Registrar’s office. February 2012 till present (Help-desk, office work, delivery & computer tasks)
• Assistant in the orientation for the new students. Fall 2012 till present.
• Assistant in the advising and registration process for new students. Fall 2012 till present

GeoLeb:
• Representative – scouting for customers across Beirut.

EXTRA CURRICULAR WORK
• LAU orientation organizing team
• Casting director assistant in Student play
SKILLS
Computer: Office suite
Languages: English, Arabic and some French & Italian.

INTERESTS
• Creative writing & media (film – TV shows) critic via personal blog
• Event planning”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Tyjet's interview with Shadi:

Quote:
“[25/08/2014 21:03:21] David: Good evening, Shadi. How are you tonight?

[25/08/2014 21:03:35] Shadi Awwad: I'm good how about you?!

[25/08/2014 21:03:46] David: I'm well thank you

[25/08/2014 21:04:07] David: I've had a look over your CV, and I have to say that it's quite impressive

[25/08/2014 21:04:20] Shadi Awwad: Thank you!

[25/08/2014 21:04:39] David: It's what a CV should be: it includes all the key information and isn't too long

[25/08/2014 21:05:20] David: Although it could have been tailored a little more towards this process, but I appreciate that that's what you were trying to do with the second CV

[25/08/2014 21:05:32] David: For the time being, I'm going to focus on your "official" CV

[25/08/2014 21:05:53] Shadi Awwad: Yes I decided to prepare two, one official cv and another DSA oriented one

[25/08/2014 21:05:58] Shadi Awwad: Ok noted

[25/08/2014 21:06:30] David: You've noted a lot of good skills: such as excellent writing abilities, quick learner etc

[25/08/2014 21:06:52] David: But anyone can say they're excellent at this or excellent at that in a CV, but that doesn't make it so

[25/08/2014 21:07:47] David: Could you expand a little on your second point: "well developed management and problem solving skills"? What experience do you have that demonstrates these skills, and how have you applied them in this process?

[25/08/2014 21:10:59] Shadi Awwad: That is true but I don't just talk the talk, I walk it. I do believe I have excellent writing skills because I have aced all my English courses, in an American University, when English is actually my second language as I am Lebanese. Also, I have started a little business of writing essays for university students, all levels, and most of them end up scoring between A- and A. As for the quick learner part, id like to believe that I am a quick learner because I have the highest GPA in the school of business which is comprised of 4000 student and if you'd like some proof I will show you the official certificate. So, I don't really include anything that I am not firmly believing in.

[25/08/2014 21:11:05] Shadi Awwad: As for your second question

[25/08/2014 21:17:43] Shadi Awwad: Being a senior assistant at the registrars office, I am responsible for training the new assistants and preparing them for when I leave this upcoming semester. I have been doing that since the last spring and through the summer modules and I have been a great manager so far because almost all of them have acquired the necessary skills needed in the office, and they have acquired those under my tutelage. Moreover, at one point during this semester, a full timer at the office got sick for a week and seeing how all the other full timers were way over heads, I was requested to fill in and take over tasks that I have never really done before. There were many incidents were some papers were not signed on time or some departments were closed etc and I had found ways to deliver all the intended papers on time despite these glitches by either allowing for proxy signature where one member of the department represents the chair person and signs those papers as well as using my communications skills to convince some offices that close before us to make exceptions and accept people's requests that have to go through them before it reaches us.

[25/08/2014 21:19:34] Shadi Awwad: These are a few examples that I had to think quick on my feet and adapt to situations where people had to be served but there was a shortage in either personnel or papers and I had to come up with solutions and take full responsibility for them.

[25/08/2014 21:20:37] David: How have you applied these skills to this process?

[25/08/2014 21:21:31] Shadi Awwad: There were problems that were out of my control because I was taking over a job that I didn't know much about due to my supervisors unexpected illness

[25/08/2014 21:21:32] Shadi Awwad: So

[25/08/2014 21:21:47] Shadi Awwad: Instead of buckling under the pressure of these glitches

[25/08/2014 21:22:12] Shadi Awwad: I made sure to solve every single case that had errors or holds

[25/08/2014 21:22:26] Shadi Awwad: Do u want a detailed example?

[25/08/2014 21:23:30] David: Just a high level overview will be fine. If I need more details I'll ask

[25/08/2014 21:26:41] Shadi Awwad: For instance it was the deadline of the withdrawal period of summer I module and a lady came to drop a class but forgot her instructors signature . She went to his office and he was gone. If she ddnt drop her class she would fail and the teacher was no no longer here and it was the last day there was no way to override the system. So I came up with a way which is to call the instructor and have him email us a scanned letter with his signature approving of the withdrawal, as well as whether its withdrawal pass or fail, and cc-ing the head registrar and chair person of said school.

[25/08/2014 21:27:26] Shadi Awwad: I was highly commanded by the higher ups for this innovative technique and it is actually going to be used whenever we have similar cases.

[25/08/2014 21:27:29] David: No, I'm looking for an example of how you have applied what you have learned to this process

[25/08/2014 21:27:44] Shadi Awwad: Ohh

[25/08/2014 21:27:47] David: You've demonstrated your leadership skills in this position, how did this translate to DSA?

[25/08/2014 21:27:48] Shadi Awwad: Sorry
[25/08/2014 21:30:13] Shadi Awwad: Well my PM stint was the most successful this season because it was a flawless performance by our team in a blow out victory and this is because I led with a purpose yet gave my team freedom to translate their vision and it was in my opinion a great strategy a leader can implement. Also, once we had to work without a PM i stepped up in the second task and along with George took over leading the team and pulling the slack and making sure that we don't crumble under the lack of leadership.

[25/08/2014 21:32:17] Shadi Awwad: Also in task one our pitcher was late and we were late and under the threat of being penalised so I stepped up and posted the lay outs when no one could find them, I dug them up and made sure they were up almost a minute before we were probably about to be penalised for it

[25/08/2014 21:33:12] David: Can you expand a bit more on your leadership strategy for your PM victory? It sounds like you're implying that your team won because you let them do what they wanted. Was this the case?

[25/08/2014 21:33:20] Shadi Awwad: No

[25/08/2014 21:36:28] Shadi Awwad: I already mentioned this to David which is, I was decisive yet democratic. I gave Ownership of tasks to them, but, I had overlooked everyone work continuously and made sure it was aligned with my purpose which is the art to have a theme or be part of a pattern. I let them be autonomous but ultimately made sure that every decision they made fit my vision

[25/08/2014 21:37:20] Shadi Awwad: A pms task is not to do the whole task himself, that is what s terrible PM does. A good PM knows how to delegate, overlook the task, and make decisions when necessary

[25/08/2014 21:37:54] David: Thanks, Shadi

[25/08/2014 21:38:08] David: You've also noted on your CV that you have a "solid background in all business divisions"

[25/08/2014 21:38:17] Shadi Awwad: Yes

[25/08/2014 21:38:39] David: Can you expand on this? Can you explain more on what you mean by this, providing examples from your previous work and how you have applied these skills to this process?

[25/08/2014 21:41:08] Shadi Awwad: I am a finance major but I also took two accounting classes, one management class and one information technology class. I had also worked in GeoLeb as a recruiter and advertiser. I am a manager of all junior assistants at work as well. And i complete my baccalaureate certificate in high school under the economics division

[25/08/2014 21:41:30] Shadi Awwad: And I have applied them to this process continuously

[25/08/2014 21:44:16] Shadi Awwad: As you can see in my cv, I was responsible for the marketing campaigns and commercials of a number of different tasks, I was responsible for pricing in the last task. I took on the creation of an app in task 3 which is Related to technology so it falls under the IT division, and I have managed my team twice, once officially in task 5 and once unofficially in task 2

[25/08/2014 21:46:30] David: Thanks Shadi.

[25/08/2014 21:47:35] David: In DSA, the "journey" is just as important as your abilities. People who hit the ground running tend not to do very well because they're more or less at their peak already. What have you learned about yourself throughout this process, and what skills have you gained or developed further during your time as a candidate?

[25/08/2014 21:54:23] Shadi Awwad: I came here with a specific skill set, yes, but one can never know enough or Learn enough. I have learned something new every task. I have learned that its important to set the foundations of your vision before choosing an idea. I have learned to be a better team player and to listen more to peoples opinions. I've learned that a team delivers the best product through allowing all members to review each others work because we always tend to miss something that someone else notices. Everyone is entitled to opinion and a say in a team. I've learned that its never about the quantity and the details but about the quality. And I did not come into this season all knowing or 'hitting the ground running'. I came in here wanting to learn and to test myself. I have succeeded at times and failed at times but have continued to work hard and give my all regardless and I hope to be given the opportunity to finish what I started in the final task

[25/08/2014 21:55:03] Shadi Awwad: As for what I learned about ,myself

[25/08/2014 21:57:54] Shadi Awwad: I learned that I might be stubborn at times, and might be too passionate about some ideas at times. I also learned that I am more creative than I thought. I learned that I work well when leading a team and when being led by another team member. I learned that I'm someone who actually is some sort of a perfectionist and don't believe in presenting anything that I'm not totally confident about. I also learned that I am resilient, hard working, and that i tend to work well in teams.

[25/08/2014 21:58:23] David: Ok, thank you Shadi

[25/08/2014 21:58:28] David: I think I have everything I need

[25/08/2014 21:58:32] David: Best of luck in the boardroom”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Naruto's CV:

Quote:
“Throughout this process I have displayed several skills and qualities which would make me a worthy winner of the DS Apprentice. One skill I have displayed is creativity. On several occasions, I have come up with new and innovative ideas which have led to the team winning at tasks. One example is Task 4 where we had to create an app. 'The Safe' was largely my idea as were all the extensions we had added to it. Another example is Task 7, with Four Nature Theme Park, again being largely my idea as were a large proportion of the rides. Therefore I do feel I can bring creativity to the table as a winner.

I also have displayed leadership skills as both times I have project managed, I have received generally positive reviews from all my team members, notably in Task 2 where I had good organisation, delegation and consideration for all team members. This is vital quality any winner of The Apprentice must have and I do feel both times i have project managed, I have done so to the best of my ability and to a high standard.

I also feel I am a well rounded candidate, able to excel in all categories and genres of the tasks we have been given. I have been able to adapt to each task, even if out of my comfort zone and be able to deliver effort and high standard of work across the wide variety of tasks. This has been shown for example in the Art task. Art isn't really my specialty, but from effort and research, I was able to put together a great pitch with passion and drive which Katie had herself praised.

I do feel I am a hard working candidate in the process and also outside. Each task I have been given, I have given my all in 100% and that has led to them being of a high standard. I haven't made a major mistake in this process yet which has led to the team losing which I feel is a large merit. I have been consistently good on a regular basis and I feel this achievement should not be over shadowed.

Reliability is also another quality I possess. I have been entrusted with large portions of the task by myself and every time. I have risen to the challenge and produced an high quality piece. Furthermore, I am not afraid to say what I am thinking in group discussions as I do feel in the areas i do know about, I have a good eye on what would work and what wouldn't. This, I feel, is a necessary skill as only certain people actually know how a market will respond to a product and I do feel I am in touch with the market relating to the entertainment industry or food industr i.e. The Safe or Sharo.

I am able to research things I have no prior knowledge on, and come out feeling like a temporary expert which does display my level of commitment to the process and dedication I am willing to put in. For example in the Art Task, I felt that the pitch I had produced was the best I could ever do. I connected with the pieces I had chosen and therefore I was able to explain and interpret them in different ways which is what Art is all about.

Finally, I do possess high levels of motivation to succeed in the work industry. When I set a goal, I will make sure I finish it to the highest level of perfection, no matter how long it takes.

Success comes from within, not from without.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Naruto's interview with Tyjet:

Quote:
“[26/08/2014 20:06:08] David: Good evening, Naruto. How are you tonight?

[26/08/2014 20:06:08] Naruto Fan: I am fine. How about yourself?

[26/08/2014 20:06:38] David: I'm well thank you

[26/08/2014 20:06:42] David: Onto busines
s
[26/08/2014 20:07:28] David: Your CV is a very good endorsement of yourself, but it's really more of a cover letter than a CV

[26/08/2014 20:09:57] David: You haven't discussed any of your experience outwith this process and the skills you have gained in other activities

[26/08/2014 20:11:09] David: What you've provided would have been the perfect companion to a CV which references all of the skills you've learned, because then you could tie the cover letter in with the CV and demonstrate how you've applied these skills to this process

[26/08/2014 20:11:21] Naruto Fan: I had based it primarily off of my skills and qualities in the process and also outside of the competition as that is what was said. I do think I could have made it more CV like, and probably included more stuff but I did want to keep it focused on the main points.

[26/08/2014 20:12:44] Naruto Fan: I do see where you are coming from, and that just may be my inexperience at writing a CV to be honest. This is the first time, I had needed to write a more detailed one and I do think this can help me improve for future occasions.

[26/08/2014 20:13:33] Naruto Fan: However, I do think the main points which I needed to address to yourself and Lord Sugar were included.

[26/08/2014 20:14:39] David: That's good to know

[26/08/2014 20:15:19] David: In your cover letter you've noted that you are able to research things with no prior knowledge and come out feeling like a "temporary expert" and that this demonstrates your level of committment to this process

[26/08/2014 20:15:48] David: Can you expand on this a little? How does this show your level of committment? What do you mean exactly by "temporary expert"?

[26/08/2014 20:18:51] Naruto Fan: What I meant was, if a task had been set of me that I had no prior knowledge or understanding of, I feel my research skills would allow me to understand the topic more and gain confidence in writing a full pitch about it, even though it was something new to me. I have displayed this in the process most notably in the Art Task where my pitch on a subject I have never been passionate about, was praised.

[26/08/2014 20:19:40] David: And how exactly does this demonstrate your level of committment?

[26/08/2014 20:21:03] Naruto Fan: I do think it shows comittment as I do spend lengthy amounts of time researching until I get a better understanding.

[26/08/2014 20:22:18] David: In your cover letter, you've followed on from that comment by stating that your pitch in the art task was the best you could ever do. So are you saying that you have peaked already?

[26/08/2014 20:24:06] Naruto Fan: That was in regards to that task. I don't think if I spent more time on it, the result could have been better. I think this shows how much I actually did for that task.

[26/08/2014 20:26:35] David: You've stated that yyou have been entrusted with large portions of the task by yourself and that everytime you've risen to the challenge and produced a high quality piece of work

[26/08/2014 20:26:53] David: Can you please provide an example of a task where you were entrusted with a large portion of the work and what you produced was praised specifically?

[26/08/2014 20:29:16] Naruto Fan: Task 7 involving the theme parks. The concept and idea of the park, as well as coming up with the list of Rides and attractions we had, as well. This was a high quality piece of work, as I believe it was the reason we won that specific task.

[26/08/2014 20:35:48] David: I noticed that one thing you failed to mention in your cover letter was skills which you've learned throughout your time in this process. As I've said to some other candidates, the journey is just as important as your competenc. Can you discuss now what skills you've picked up or improved?

[26/08/2014 20:42:37] Naruto Fan: I do think I have learnt how to vocalise my opinions more. I do think this shows as I have done a lot better this series, than the last two series where I probably coasted more. Now, I do feel several tasks, my idea or a part of my idea has been chosen and it has had a good reception. I have also improved my teamwork and personal skills. I have made some good bonds with more people than I thought I would have.

[26/08/2014 20:43:36] David: Ok, well thank you Naruto

[26/08/2014 20:43:42] David: I think I have everything I need so we'll wrap up

[26/08/2014 20:43:45] David: Best of luck in the boardroom

[26/08/2014 20:44:48] Naruto Fan: Also, being able to adapt to other people's work and be able to add to it in a beneficial way. If someone's idea is chosen, being able to strengthen it from a different perspective is a success as you are able to take a fresh approach to it.

[26/08/2014 20:46:17] Naruto Fan: Thank you and I appreciate you taking your time to do this.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

George's CV:

Quote:
“CV
George Harold Millman
DOB: 19/10/1993
Currently a semi-professional actor, student of Creative Performance at Colchester Institute, University of Essex, independent blogger and political activist (http://actorandpoliticalactivist.blogspot.co.uk/)

Curriculum Vitae:
Radio presenter
BCFM
October 2007 - November 2008*

Script supervisor
Antioc Productions
January 2009 - June 2010

Actor
Tobacco Factory theatre
January 2009 - April 2011**

Film jury member
Electric December
October - December 2009

Television extra
Skins, Channel 4
July 2010

Charity fundraiser
WaterAid (through young people's charity Envision)
October 2010 - July 2011

Self-appointed head writer/manager of a creative team
Writers of The Cut: Series 4 and Beyond
June 2011 - April 2014

Actor
Bristol Old Vic
August 2011 - November 2012**

Manager/director of a theatre company
The Black And White Theatre Company
September - December 2012***

Theatre production assistant
Idiot Child theatre company
October 2012****

Theatre assistant
Co-Resist
December 2012

Actor/singer
The Big Act
June 2013

Film extra
Independent films The Runners and The Runners: Revelation, directed by Tom Bennett
April 2014 - August 2014

*with occasional responsibilities at other times
**whilst I was with these companies during these times, I was not working with them for the duration. This was the period in which I was working on various projects; there were also occasions in between projects when my services were not requires.
***The Black and White Theatre Company was set up by myself and my former colleague, with the intention of producing a show. Sadly this project fell through, for various reasons, mainly involving funding. However, I still see it as an important part of my CV, because I learned a lot whilst doing it, and if I undertake such a project again (which I very well may) I will use the experience that I gained to ensure a more successful outcome.

****Reference:
Idiot Child Production Assistant Internship
George Millman – 1st – 3rd October 2012
Bristol Old Vic

George joined Idiot Child as a production assistant intern from Monday 1st to Weds 3rd October at the Bristol Old Vic.
George was already known to the company as he had been to see You’re not doing it right at the Tobacco Factory in 2011. George had expressed an interest in working with the company and had stayed in touch via Facebook. He is a member of the Bristol Old Vic Young Company. When we knew we were able to support an intern at BOV we thought of George immediately.

George’s Role: As a Production Assistant, George was called upon to assist with a variety of tasks in the 3 days leading up to the first performance of and launch party for I could’ve been better. These included, buying props; constructing set and props; assisting with marketing tasks such as folding programmes and setting up the foyer for our first night party and flyering. George sat in on final rehearsals for the show and observed the technical rehearsal, assisting with stage management issues when called upon to do so.

A producer’s view: George was an invaluable addition to the team at a time of high activity and pressure. He listened clearly to instructions and undertook every task he was asked to carry out with a calm, sensible demeanor. He always asked for clarification and advice if needed and was a reliable member of the team.
George was asked to complete a wide variety of tasks as they arose ranging from stage management and prop-making to marketing. He undertook them all with unfailing enthusiasm and good nature. He was a delight to work with and helped the team to negotiate the three challenging pre-production days.

Outcome: As the first Production Assistant intern Idiot Child engaged, we were delighted by George’s positive attitude and keenness to learn.
We would certainly like to work with George again and will stay in touch with him about future opportunities.

About me:
My name is George Harold Millman, I am twenty years of age and as shown by the above, I am currently a student of Creative Performance, in between working from time to time in films and theatre, and committing myself to political campaigns in my spare time.

There are a number of reasons why I feel that I have the abilities required to win this process. In the first place, although my professional experience lies slightly outside the world of business, I believe the work that I have undertaken in the past demonstrates my abilities to think creatively, work professionally within a team and contribute to a group devising process. This form of creative work is very important within a business scenario, especially within a capacity such as this where everything is on a forum so most of the tasks have a creative aspect to them. An example on task when I have demonstrated this would be the app task, when I used my creative background to design the advert for our team's app, which was very much praised by my team and I feel definitely made our product look more professional than the one created by the rival team. Working with groups in this way is what is often required of me in my real-life work, and I think that I have certainly demonstrated that throughout this process.

A second point that I would make is that I have skills which are very much necessary in business and which I believe should be counted, but because of the nature of this process, have not been required very much on this format. An example in point is that I am able to approach people in public. Last year, I spent a lot of time on high streets collecting signatures on petitions against the bedroom tax. I feel that my easy smile and friendly but confident manner won me favour with many people, as I often managed to collect more signatures than my colleagues. I have also on occasion sold newspapers on the streets, and again I often succeed in selling more during a particular time period than another person who may be selling them at the same time. I think that this form of social interaction is a very important skill to have in business. Obviously on a forum game, it is difficult to set tasks that demonstrate that skill, but I believe that being able to demonstrate that I have that ability should earn me additional credit when it comes to deciding a winner.

The third and final point that I would like to bring up is my enthusiasm and commitment to anything that I undertake. I have rarely been absent from a task in this process; on any occasion that I have had reason to be away, I have always informed those that it may concern in advance, and I have always worked extremely hard upon my return in order to make up for any time lost. This is the approach that I have used in every piece of work that I have ever done in my real life. I strongly dislike people who do things by halves; I believe that if someone agrees to take part in something, they should devote all of their available energy into making it successful, and if they are half-hearted in any way, they should not be there as they are letting people down. I have held this viewpoint for all of my professional life, and I feel that it shows with the work that I have done. For example, you will have seen that I was a radio presenter at the age of fourteen. I am very proud of that accomplishment, as not many people would have the opportunity to take on such a big task (which also involved working all of the radio equipment, conducting interviews on the field and selecting various features from within my local community) at this age. I feel that one of the main reasons that I got this job was my unwavering enthusiasm and commitment. I do not believe that I ever let my employers down, nor have I let down anyone that I have worked with since, nor will I let down Lord Sugar. I believe that I am one of the only candidates in this process who can say that with such a degree of certainty, if not the only one.

I very much want to win this. I have put a great deal of effort into every task, and although I will be the first to admit that I have made the occasional mistake, I think that on the whole I have produced good results. I think that I possibly have not stood out from the beginning as a contender in quite the same way that some of my rivals have, but I have in no way given up. I am without a doubt here for the long haul. I want to win this, and I am fairly determined to do whatever it takes to do so. There are some very strong candidates remaining in this process, but I have no shame in admitting that I believe myself to be stronger than them, and I would very much like to be given the opportunity to prove that to Lord Sugar in the final.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Tyjet's interview with George:

Quote:
“[25/08/2014 12:08:27] David: Good afternoon George, how are you today?

[25/08/2014 12:08:35] George Millman: I'm very well thank you David, yourself?

[25/08/2014 12:09:32] David: I'm well thanks

[25/08/2014 12:10:06] David: Now let me start out by saying that I found your CV very impressive. You're very clearly not a lazy individual and very passionate about what you do

[25/08/2014 12:10:17] George Millman: Thank you very much.

[25/08/2014 12:12:12] David: Although I don't think it was necessary to include everything on there. Sometimes it's best to tailor your CV specifically for what you're applying for

[25/08/2014 12:12:34] David: Although I appreciate that that would have been a difficult task given that all of your previous experience has been in a creative position

[25/08/2014 12:14:42] George Millman: I actually did summarise things a lot more than I would have done in the real world. In my real life, I would have been a lot more specific about directors that I have worked with, plays that I have done etc. I wanted to give you an overview of the sort of work that I have undertaken, but not skim over it so much that it looks like I have done less than I actually have. As you rightly point out, it is important to tailor such things for a position.

[25/08/2014 12:16:07] David: That's good to hear. A common pitfall with CVs is that people often think it's best to include everything they have ever done when it's actually better to be brief. Anyway, moving on to the content itself

[25/08/2014 12:18:31] David: You've stated on your CV that your past work demonstrates your ability to work professionally within a team. Could you expand on that? What previous work specifically involved team work and how did you apply what you learned there to this process?

[25/08/2014 12:20:06] George Millman: There are probably a few examples that I could give, but the most obvious one is my online scriptwriting team, a project which I ended earlier this year.

[25/08/2014 12:24:07] George Millman: The scriptwriting team was about a BBC teen drama called The Cut, which aired on BBC Two and online from September 2009 to December 2010. It was axed after BBC Switch closed down, but it had a very loyal and interactive fan base, and many of us were in touch with one another online through our blog and our Facebook page. There was constant reinforcement from the production team that this was a drama that belongs to the viewers, so I thought if that's the case, why don't we get together and write the next series? So for a few years, that is what we did. I set everything up through Facebook, got in touch with most of the fans myself and facilitated most of the discussion and planning online. We have a website where we published our scripts. Sadly, we didn't get as much done as I would have liked (with a set-up like that, it only takes one person to be slow getting a script in for the whole project to grind to a halt) and earlier this year Facebook took my page down for an unknown reason, so it became time to call it a day. But we did publish three scripts, which I am very proud of, and I think that very few other people would have been able to get that number of fans together and do that much work on another series after a TV show was cancelled.

[25/08/2014 12:25:48] George Millman: As far as what I learned from that, I took a great deal from it. I really learned how to manage and work with people that I have never met, and keep people motivated. No one else would have been able to keep us going as long as I did. I feel that I have been able to do that on most of the tasks - for example, whenever I have been Project Manager, although my team has always lost I have always been really rated as a great leader who got everyone involved and was very organised, and I think a lot of that I learned from that project.

[25/08/2014 12:28:22] David: Your management skills were what I was going to question you on next. I want you to comment more specifically about what the Black and White Theatre Company taught you about managing people

[25/08/2014 12:33:03] George Millman: I'm not sure how much that project taught me about people management specifically, as I think I was already quite good at that by that point. It taught me a lot about organisation and logistical planning of events with budgeting and other necessities, which at the time was not my strength, but I feel I have improved on since. That project didn't work out, as I think that I bit off more than I could chew, but I don't think that there is any shame in that as it was something that I had never done before and I was pretty new to working on something on such a huge scale. I did get a chance to do a bit of actual directing before the project fell through, and as far as the feedback I got from others goes, I did a very good job at that. I did ask my actors how they saw me as a director, and I was generally told that I was doing a good job - quite authoritarian, but I think a director should be. I did make some logistical mistakes, but I have learned from those experiences. I have considered that maybe in the future I may get back in touch with the playwright and suggest giving it another go, but I will wait until I'm more established for that. Failing on something new to you is natural and you take something from it; if I did it again, I'd make sure from the start that we were set up so that we would not fail.

[25/08/2014 12:33:34] George Millman: Sorry, I'm not sure if that response really answers your question. In honesty, I'm not sure what that taught me about people management. It taught me a lot about other things.

[25/08/2014 12:35:54] David: Did you have to deal with much conflict during that time?

[25/08/2014 12:38:54] George Millman: There were a few occasions on which my former colleague and I disagreed on things, but I wouldn't really call that conflict. I think that we were both working under high levels of stress, and that possibly hindered our working relationship a little at the time. However, I think that we both handled ourselves very professionally, and I believe myself to be on good terms with her now.

[25/08/2014 12:42:40] David: Ok, thank you George. Before we wrap up, can you talk about any useful skills that you picked up in your previous experience that you have applied in this process that has not already been discussed?

[25/08/2014 12:45:47 | Edited 12:46:11] George Millman: I feel that some of my experience in film may have helped me with the advert design in the third task. I also think that I have a knack for expressing myself quite eloquently, which has helped both with writing pitches (I have usually proof-read them as well) and with defending myself in the boardroom.

[25/08/2014 12:46:36] David: Ok, thank you George. I have everything I need. Good luck in the boardroom

[25/08/2014 12:46:53] George Millman: Thank you very much, David. Always a pleasure.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Roxie's CV:

Quote:
“ Introduction:

Good evening David.

Using this CV I want to demonstrate to you why I should be the next Apprentice. I possess every aspect of a stellar candidate and I have shown these throughout each and every task. I have also been named as one of the strongest if not the strongest every task so far by other candidates, viewers, advisors and Lord Sugar himself. I believe I am also different to the other candidates in that I have shown different strengths every task so far and on an individual level I have not had a single weak showing so far. I will take you through each task and the skills I have demonstrated:

First Task – The Tropical Four Cuisine Restaurant:
For the first task, I demonstrated creativity essentially coming up with the winning idea behind our restaurant – the tropical and the four cuisine theme, which was essentially bringing holidays to British high streets which was praised by at least 3 viewers and Lord Sugar himself for being an innovative idea. I also demonstrated my teamwork skills as Louise also commented that I was a very likable character who interacts well with other team members.

Second Task – The Rio World Cup Item Hunt:
For the second task, I demonstrated my dedication and hard work being one of only two people in the task finding 5/10 of the lowest cost items many of which were lower than the other teams. I was involved in finding two other items as well – one of which was not accepted and the other which was undercut. David also commented this task saying that I was one of the strongest team members this task.

Third Task – The Sing Something App:
For the third task, I demonstrated my team leadership and my teamwork skills with unanimous praise from every one of my team mates, advisors and Lord Sugar himself. I delegated roles quickly and efficiently based off personal strengths (such as Steve being good creatively speaking doing the advert and Zak with his research rich background doing the target demographic section). I made sure everyone knew and was happy with their sections, and I motivated them throughout the task. I was commended for great organisational, delegation and managerial skills; David even said they were the best he had seen so far. David also commended me in how I take an active part in other member’s work and how I help them out (such as helping Emma with the logo or Shadi with what our unique selling points would be).

Fourth Task – British Drama Film:
For the fourth task, I demonstrated my insight, my ability to build on weaknesses as people highlighted my budgeting and promotional plan being excellent, building on weaknesses from the previous task. I also was the only one against the idea of both the target industry and target genre which were the main reasons why we lost. But I still tried to make it work with ideas which touched on contemporary social issues such as sexual abuse, domestic violence and alcoholism which highlighted my professional attitude. You yourself also highlighted me as the strongest member of my team this task.

Fifth Task – Abstract Art:
For the fifth task, I demonstrated my passion and ability to deliver a great pitch with my find for abstract art Danny O’Connor with unanimous praise from the buyer, viewers, team mates and Lord Sugar alike commending me for a great pitch, a great question and answer session and showing a lot of passion in my pitch. This task highlighted my structured and focused approach to tasks. Aliyah (the buyer) had requested art which told a story and that was my main reason for choosing Danny O’Connor as he had such beautiful and emotional background stories depicted in his art about his personal life (such as his mother being unable to find a job or the death of his girlfriend).

Sixth Task – Hurts for Eurovision:
For the sixth task, I demonstrated my knowledge of logistics (via the general concert ideas and some of the promotional ideas), my analytical skills and application of market/online research. This task also demonstrated my sensibly creative approach to tasks; my idea to use Hurts was because they have had great European success, years of live experience and a synth pop sound well suited to European audiences. Once again I demonstrated an organized approach, structuring our pitch around what Lord Sugar was looking for in this task – a way to turn Britain’s poor showings around. Most importantly, I stepped out of my comfort zone doing a poster for my concert this task. I was also once again praised for my teamwork and team leadership skills again by my team members, my advisor and Lord Sugar. David even said it was the most cohesive team he had seen in all his years of Digital Spy Apprentice.

Seventh Task – Science Theme Park:
For the seventh task, I demonstrated my knowledge of logistics being put in charge of pricing, location and promotional plan, making decisions based off online and market research. My promotional plan was also praised by Katie, Amy and especially Lord Sugar who praised the fact that we went above and beyond the brief. That is my general approach to every task to go above and beyond – I do everything to make sure my team wins. This task once again highlighted my teamwork skills again as Iain said I was one of the kindest and easiest people to work with that he has come across, and George praised me for how I went above and beyond for the sake of the team.

What I Have Learned:
I have learned a lot from this process about myself, about different industries and I have also learned to improve on many shortcomings I may have once had. I have learned about the value of hard work – building on what Louise said in Task 1 about my lack of availability so I have made sure to put myself in charge of a 4/5 sections every task. I have learned the importance of market/online research to help flesh out an idea in a sensible way. I have also built on my weaknesses, turning some into strengths even such as my promotional skills with people in Tasks 4 and 7 praising my promotional plan. Additionally I have learned a lot about other industries whether it be restaurants, art or theme parks and I have found the information gathering parts of tasks really enjoyable. Moreover, I feel the process has taught me that a lot of the skills I have learned in my degree and my job are transferable and lend themselves to business and the Apprentice well.

What I Do For a Living:
Right now I am working towards a degree in medicine. For my own personal development, I also work as an auxiliary nurse helping out in operations during my holidays. My job and degree have taught me the value of being a good team player and leader; by being an easy, helpful and enjoyable person to work with, you get the best out of people and they will be more motivated. I have also learned the value of hard work and discipline with endless nights of few hours sleep. Any business requires hard work as there are many different areas to care for whether it be deciding a location or marketing an idea as I have seen in the tasks. Additionally, I have learned to cope in pressurizing environments such as the frenzy of an operating theatre; a business can be equally as demanding. I have learned the value of a structured and organized approach in life, keeping on top of a busy life; organisation increases productivity in business. My studies have also helped me develop an analytical approach to situations which is important in business as the best decisions are made by evaluating a list of pros and cons, and by looking at market research/evidence. I feel therefore that the skills my degree and job have taught me are transferable and lend themselves to business in general well which further strengthens why I should be the next Apprentice.

Why Should I Be The Next Apprentice?:
Therefore I believe I have all the necessary ingredients to be the next Apprentice. I have shown all facets of a good candidate. I have shown hard work and dedication as shown by how I always tackle 4/5 sections, especially in Task 2 when I found 5 of our cheapest items. I have shown a lot of passion in every task, especially in Task 5 with my art pitch. I have come up with creative ideas while making sure they are sensible such as with the tropical four cuisine restaurant, and using Hurts for Eurovision. I have shown great team leadership, being universally praised in Task 3 and leading one of the most cohesive teams ever in Task 6. I have shown great teamwork skills every task, being complimented by Louise, David, Shadi, Naruto, George and Iain for being a great team member. I have an analytical approach to tasks basing decisions on evidence and using pros and cons which helped me select Hurts over other bands like Bastille for Task 6. I have been praised for my organised and structured approach to tasks, focused on answering my part of the brief. My pitch delivery has always been complimented as my pitches in Task 3, Task 5 and Task 6 show.

I believe I am different to other candidates in how well-rounded I am while also excelling in many areas. I have not had a weak moment throughout the series. I also possess a rigorous work ethic, always going above and beyond for my team – often doing 2 or 3 sections of the brief as well as adding in more sections to make our final product look more polished and sensible. Whenever I am put out of my comfort zone, I never make any excuses for myself and I try the best I can to turn a weakness into a potential strength like with my promotional skills. I have also learned a lot from this process and have improved myself in many ways. To conclude, it is this combination of strengths which would make the ideal next Apprentice.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Tyjet's interview with Roxie:

Quote:
“David: Good even, Roxie. How are you tonight?

[22/08/2014 20:55:59] Roxie: Good evening David, thanks once again for taking the time out to meet me for this interview. I hope my answers convince you and Lord Sugar why I should be the next Apprentice.

[22/08/2014 20:58:07] Roxie: I am feeling confident that I have shown myself in a positive and effective way for each and every task I have been a part of.

[22/08/2014 20:58:22] Roxie: And hopefully I am able to demonstrate that to you.

[22/08/2014 20:59:44] David: You provided lots of evidence demonstrating your strengths, but I'm more interested in some other things

[22/08/2014 21:01:23] David: As I'm sure you know, The Apprentice is not just about starting out strong. The journey is just as important and you've touched on this only slightly in your CV

[22/08/2014 21:02:07] David: Apart from improving your availability and learning to send out market research surveys, what skill/aspect of yourself do you think you've improved upon most?

[22/08/2014 21:10:53] Roxie: I believe the main skill I have developed is to be creative while being feasible about the creativity. Like Task 3 demonstrated to me quite profoundly, creativity has to be measured to realistic success. In Task 3, we had a Sing Something app which was not my idea but as Project Manager I choose this to lead us because I thought it was a fantastically innovative idea. I did not realize how restrictive it was until the pitch where it was restrictive in location, in demographic, in pricing and in terms of the personality - can we say for certain every person would be confident to play such an app in their game. I learned therefore that most important aspect for an idea to work is that you have to make sure it is feasible. And I think I demonstrated this with my idea to use Danny O'Connor for Task 5's abstract art pitch. I chose an artist who was not simply abstract art but also had surreal and urban art influences being influenced by both David Lynch and Banksy. I also pitched an idea to the buyer to sell cheaper digital prints alongside the more expensive original paintings to make it more affordable to the lower end consumer, thus bridging a potential gap. I also made sure that was no geographical isolation due to regional tastes in art by making sure that art was diverse enough to appeal to a wide range of people. The buyer commended me that task for bridging income gaps and regional tastes by making the art seem universally appealing.

Thus I believe I have shown a journey from not just creating a concept but also making it work, supporting it and making sure it as sensible and as realistic as possible.

[22/08/2014 21:13:28] Roxie: I also use an analytical approach, making a list of pros and cons of an idea and making decisions based off market research and online research which I started developing which helps me choose certain ideas like the idea to use Hurts for Eurovision which helped win us this task. This approach has helped me be more sensible in my creativity too.

[22/08/2014 21:18:12] David: Thank you Roxie. You also alluded to building on your weaknesses and even turning some into strengths. Can you provide examples of this?

[22/08/2014 21:30:12] Roxie: Yes, for example I had little knowledge of logistics prior to the start of the task - pricing and promotion were aspect of tasks I have not been familiar with before and I did not know how to approach. However, I turned that around in Task 4 - the film task - where my budgeting and marketing ideas were praised by viewers such as Natalie and Amy, and yourself as an advisor. I came up with a whole list of ways to advertise our film - such as social media, launching an extensive email database, keeping an up-to-date site, advertising on independent film forums and websites, using local newspapers and magazines of cast/crew like The Empire (a pro-British film magazine), press conferences and interviews and popular film festivals. In Task 7 I further emphasised how I improved on a weakness like promotion with viewers like Katie and Lord Sugar himself praising me for going above and beyond, and coming up with innovative ways to advertise a theme park like taking advantage of Bollywood, using local magazines, brochure adverts, tourist outlets, organizing combined trips with hotels to other popular tourist destinations.

They also commented about how my budget for the film in Task 4 was realistic and in Task 5 I believe I really shined in the pricing department as my competitor had made no suggestion on price while I had based my prices on competitors and organizing them into two categories - expensive original paintings and digital prints which bridged a possible income gap as I said before, with the buyer commending highly for doing that.

[22/08/2014 21:33:04] Roxie: Additionally while the criticism for not being able to produce a poster lay with George in Task 4 who was the delegated person to do it, part of the fault of not producing a poster lay with me too as I myself did not know how to produce one. So I built on the graphical aspect of tasks by producing a poster for Task 6 which was appreciated by members of my team highlighting all the aspects of our concert which showed I potentially turned an out of comfort zone area into a potential strength.

[22/08/2014 21:33:51] David: In your CV, you have stated that you haven't had a weak moment throughout the series. Do you really believe this to be true?

[22/08/2014 21:43:25] Roxie: What I referred to is not having a particularly weak showing overall in any task so far, with advisors and Lord Sugar saying I have been consistently strong. I myself also believe that because I have been integral to each and every task as I have shown in my CV such as coming up with the tropical and four cuisine themed idea in Task 1, finding 5 of the cheapest items in Task 2.

I do believe I have had particular weak moments within tasks such as my promotional plan and pricing for Task 3 but that same time task I was also unanimously praised by all my team mates - Emma, Shadi, Steve and Zak for being a great team leader and player, showing the best organisation, delegation and managerial skills David had seen so far. I was also a driving member of ideas within that task as David said, coming up with ideas to other people's sections such as what Emma's logo should encompass (simple and fun), what are unique selling points are with Shadi (three genres of apps in one) what target demographic we are targeting with Zak (teenagers and young adults). One of the main criticisms that task was how restrictive our app was and I actually made sure it was less restrictive by putting in a genres feature with 80s and 90s genres so that it would appealing to older demographics too. So for every task I feel I have shown enough of myself in a good way to have a strong showing for that task. I have definitely had individual weak moments on certain sections and I have improved on these as I have stated before.

[22/08/2014 21:45:25] David: What do you consider your biggest weakness? And how do you plan to improve on said weakness?

[22/08/2014 22:01:00] Roxie: I feel that I can be a perfectionist, always wanting to make sure we do the best we possibly can every task which leads me to sometimes give too much constructive criticism to other people's ideas which may seem like I am belittling others or not taking their opinions into account but I would never purposely do that to anyone nor want them to feel that way as it is makes for unenjoyable experience and does not bring the best out of them. So I will give constructive criticism less frequently and approach it in a more diplomatic way, for example my argument with Shadi in Task 4 could have been avoided if I had explained myself more clearly and more diplomatically why the target genre and industry were inappropriate instead of pointing out what was wrong with his approach and plot. That was completely incorrective of me and it is indeed a weakness which I have tried to work on, for example when I disagree with someone not to linger on the point which I believe had helped us win Task 6 as David pointed out we were one of the most cohesive teams he had ever seen so I have definitely dealth with it by being less overbearing in group sessions.

[22/08/2014 22:01:30] Roxie: dealt*

[22/08/2014 22:01:48] David: Ok, thank you Roxie

[22/08/2014 22:01:53] David: I think you've given me all I need

[22/08/2014 22:04:33] Roxie: Also I would just like to add that I should perhaps discuss with each person my project managering style making sure they are happy and perhaps taking an individual approach to it, pming them so they can voice any concerns in a comfortable and private environment. I never want a team member to feel isolated or feel their opinion is not coming across so it is definitely something I am improving on. It is something that George did which I felt was really effective and would lend itself to making me an even stronger team leader and player.

[22/08/2014 22:05:51] Roxie: And I would once again like to say thank you David for taking the time out to conduct this interview and I hope I have managed to convince that I am deserving of a place in the final.

[22/08/2014 22:06:22] David: Thanks Roxie, and best of luck in the boardroom”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Getting onto the final interviews now which were conducted by Carlisle, starting with his interview with Shadi:

Quote:
“[25/08/2014 13:51:41] ox o: David: Good afternoon, Shadi.

[25/08/2014 13:51:48] Shadi Awwad: Good afternoon!

[25/08/2014 13:52:21] ox o: David: So you've obviously done really well so far throughout the process, having made it into the Top 4 on your first attempt. Is the process what you were expecting?

[25/08/2014 13:53:58] Shadi Awwad: It superseded my expectations to be honest, the level of realism and professionalism mirrors the real TV show and the tasks really allow you to showcase your skills and talents. It has been great.

[25/08/2014 13:55:15] ox o: David: Great, so do you think you've done well to get here first time? In comparison to people like George & Naruto who have both participated in previous series of the show.

[25/08/2014 13:57:18] Shadi Awwad: Yes I think it must have been harder for me because people who played before would have anticipated the tasks and were familiar with them, and they would havelearned from their mistakes but I really had no experience in that regard so I had to discover everything as I go without allowing myself to make game-ending mistakes.

[25/08/2014 13:58:15] ox o: David: I would agree, you've done really well to succeed to such a standard.

[25/08/2014 13:58:28] Shadi Awwad: Thank you!

[25/08/2014 13:58:30] ox o: David: Now looking back at the process in a more analytical way.

[25/08/2014 13:58:42] ox o: David: If you could pick one of the tasks as your strongest task, which one would you choose? And why?

[25/08/2014 14:01:18] Shadi Awwad: The art museum task because despite most contests being close between the two teams, this one was a blow out and I was really glad that I was able to win as PM in that regard. It was a very monumental win for me and it put me on the map as a very good leader as well. It went very smoothly and perfectly, and it was the picture perfect performance by a team thus far, if there was ever one.

[25/08/2014 14:02:14] Shadi Awwad: With that being said I feel that my creativity was at its peak during the applications task. I contributed the lions share in that task and despite the loss I was very proud of how I performed.

[25/08/2014 14:02:29] ox o: David: Absolutely. Any win as PM which as you said was such a whitewash result is commendable.

[25/08/2014 14:02:50] ox o: David: So you've highlighted two areas where you've shone. Can you now explain to me which task you would identify as your weakest, and why?

[25/08/2014 14:06:32] Shadi Awwad: You might expect me to say the movies task but in my opinion it wasn't because I really do believe the script itself was a solid one, the circumstances surrounding how the script was being molded into the wrong industry was the deal breaker. So I would say that the Eurovision task was my weakest because I felt a bit marginalised by the PM who decided to do half the task himself, and didn't utilise me in areas that I would have shone in. I already had no background concerning Eurovision so I feel that instead of giving me the tour, which was such a mechanical task that Anyone could have done, I wish that I was given the role of creating the performance and the advertisement campaign. So I did feel that this task wasn't necessarily one that I did as well as the other ones.

[25/08/2014 14:08:51] ox o: David: Fair enough.

[25/08/2014 14:09:12] ox o: David: So your reasoning behind your weakest task was due to being marginalised by the PM? This actually leads on well to my next question...

[25/08/2014 14:09:23] Shadi Awwad: Nice haha

[25/08/2014 14:09:37] ox o: David: Throughout the process, all the candidates that have made it into the Top 6 except you have two runs as Project Manager.

[25/08/2014 14:10:09] ox o: David: However, you're the exception to the rule. Whilst you won as PM first time around, how come you left it so late to become PM and did you not feel like you needed to do it a second time?

[25/08/2014 14:16:09] Shadi Awwad: First of all, whereas yes I only effectively became PM once, I felt that I was the unannounced PM of task two where Stacey left us to dry. I had found more than half of the items especially the ones that ultimately got us the win. And the thing is I wanted to be Pm that round but Stacey insisted so we let her be. Then she left so I was the unofficial Pm who led the team to a win. Second of all, I wanted to do the third one but Roxie said she would love if she can do it so I let her. Then task 4 really was something I loved but Niall chose Zak. I had actually said ok guys I'm Pm them someone said no Zak was chosen. So I had to wait till task 5. And despite all that I was taking some tough summer course and had a part time job so I wanted a timing where I had no finals or overtime shifts especially seeing how to top all that off I have a pretty busy social life. But when I became Pm I nailed it, and despite wanting to be pm again, I wasn't going to do it back to back so I was waiting for the last task,which Naruto wanted to lead because he had a loss and seeing how I Had a win I felt it would only be fair to sit it out and help him win.

[25/08/2014 14:22:08] ox o: David: That's a good point.

[25/08/2014 14:22:51] ox o: David: And I agree, there's definitely no disputing that your PM win is a highlight of your process.

[25/08/2014 14:23:22] ox o: David: If you could go back to the start is there anything you would change at all? About on-task, in the boardroom or anything to do with the DSA?

[25/08/2014 14:27:47] Shadi Awwad: Yes see sometimes my enthusiasm, honesty, and passion were interpreted as aggression when in reality I am the friendliest person you will meet. The people who have gotten to be friends with me such as George, Roxie, Naruto and Zak would attest to that. So maybe if I can go back in time I'll try to adjust me tone, in that one incident for example, to not give anyone a false impression about who I am as a person. But game wise I feel like I've done everything I have to get here, and if I had changed anything, I might not have made it here, so I have nothing but pride and gratitude in that regard.

[25/08/2014 14:29:43] Shadi Awwad: My tone *

[25/08/2014 14:30:03] ox o: David: I was actually going to ask you about your 'aggressive' behaviour.

[25/08/2014 14:30:47] Shadi Awwad: Go ahead.

[25/08/2014 14:30:48] ox o: David: Over the course of the process, out of the four candidates remaining, you have been noted to have had an alleged attitude problem.

[25/08/2014 14:31:12] ox o: David: Notably the excessive amounts of drama that originated in Task 2 by Louise.

[25/08/2014 14:31:46] ox o: David: Would you like an opportunity to defend yourself about that and the negative edit it gave you?

[25/08/2014 14:32:54] Shadi Awwad: Yes I would thank you for allowing me.

[25/08/2014 14:33:17] ox o: David: Go for it.

[25/08/2014 14:43:57] Shadi Awwad: Ok so, I really believe I was unfairly stigmatised and part of me blames Louise for that. To describe the incident as it happened, we were in a chat discussing task two. Steve compiled a list of who did what and he gave other people credit for my findings. I told him Steve this list is inaccurate please fix it accordingly. So far so good? Zak then says something along the lines of 'lol at people starting to save face in the boardroom'. It was a snarky and unnecessary remark which he said because he had barely found anything that task and was probably enjoying the fact that Steve messed up the list. So, instead of making a personal attack on Zak, like he did, which then would be considered 'aggression', all I said was, i don't think anyone is worried about being fired because if we lose Stacey would logically have to go, but we should still give an accurate list that gives credit where it's due. So Louise said 'oh I didn't know you could also tell the future'. Is that not snarky and disrespectful when everything I had said so far was in an effort to diffuse tension? So seeing how unprofessional she was, I defended myself. I have polite and respectful to everyone so far, and you and Niall both attest to that. You never treated me unprofessionally and unfairly so I never had an issue with you. I only defend myself, I never attack anyone unprovoked. So, despite that I went and talked to Louise in private to explain myself and we decided to just let the subject die and that it was a misunderstanding. So I didn't bring it up in either the eval or the boardroom but she did mention it in the feedback and I felt obliged to defend myself in front of the public. George's intervention might have added flame to the fire but as far as I was concerned, I had really done nothing wrong, and I've been very disheartened by the view that some people decided to have about me based on one incident that was not even my fault. So I really hope that you see where Im coming from and what I mean. My portrayal was not fair and I promise you, if you were to really get to know me, I am the nicest most positive person you will meet.

[25/08/2014 14:45:00] Shadi Awwad: Have been *

[25/08/2014 14:49:37] ox o: David: Okay fair enough.

[25/08/2014 14:49:44] ox o: David: So you don't feel like you did anything wrong?

[25/08/2014 15:00:05] Shadi Awwad: My connection is cutting off

[25/08/2014 15:00:31] Shadi Awwad: Did anything wrong, no.

[25/08/2014 15:00:51] Shadi Awwad: I wish I had ignored the statements or maybe just told Niall

[25/08/2014 15:01:25] Shadi Awwad: But did I initiate or cause the debacle? No.

[25/08/2014 15:01:37] Shadi Awwad: And from reading what happened, I don't know how anyone can blame me.

[25/08/2014 15:01:56] Shadi Awwad: I was under attack because I said something very logical

[25/08/2014 15:02:40] ox o: David: Now I don't like to pass judgement unless I'm there and witness everything as it played out, rather than in hindsight. So I'm not going to pass comment about who was in the wrong between you, Louise, Zak or George.

[25/08/2014 15:03:26] ox o: David: However, my other note for you would be that in specific tasks, you sometimes have an air of stubbornness about you. Notably within the film task and the app task, your stubbornness surrounding an idea can sometimes lead to a task failure.

[25/08/2014 15:12:58] Shadi Awwad: I understand but when did I ever force my team to go with my ideas? I just lay them out there for my team to see and explain them thoroughly and every time I lay an idea, a roar in the chat erupts and the Pm decides to go with my ideas. I really never force them to do so, but after my idea is chosen, sometimes my teammates decides to apply fundamental changes to my concepts that I don't think would be appropriate so I oppose that reasonably but I have conceded on so many occasions to what either the majority or the PM wanted to do with my ideas especially the film task. The app task was not an issue as we lost on technicalities that had nothing to do with the idea itself. And despite all that, after those two tasks I've opted to become Extra linear and as you could have seen in the last 3 tasks, i gave my opinions when asked and suggested ideas and let the team vote or let the PM ask around and decide. The point is to learn though out because none of us is perfect and my vast improvement in that regard shows that this is no longer an issue for me, not that it was a major issue to start with, but more an incident of misunderstanding.

[25/08/2014 15:14:23] ox o: David: I'm pretty sure the main reason for the loss of the app task was because singing in public wasn't a realistic feat?

[25/08/2014 15:17:25] Shadi Awwad: Yes but again my team didn't see it as a problem from the get go and Roxie the Pm insisted on going with my idea and so did the whole team so it was in no way a show of stubbornness. I might have stubborn in the film task but in this one I just gave like 7 ideas and out of all ideas suggested we went with mine and worked around it. How the app was going to be conducted was not actually my task, it was someone else's.

[25/08/2014 15:20:35] ox o: David: Okay!

[25/08/2014 15:20:48] ox o: David: So I have two more questions to ask you because htis interview has gone on for a long while now!

[25/08/2014 15:21:11] ox o: David: Firstly, can you tell me who you feel is your greatest competition out of the other three candidates?

[25/08/2014 15:21:19] Shadi Awwad: Roxie

[25/08/2014 15:21:36] ox o: David: Grand.

[25/08/2014 15:21:39] ox o: David: Finally then...

[25/08/2014 15:22:05] ox o: David: Can you, using examples from different tasks, highlight three of your most important winning qualities and also explain why you deserve to be in the finals?

[25/08/2014 15:22:07] ox o: David: Thank you.

[25/08/2014 15:32:42] Shadi Awwad: 1) Leadership: in the task that I managed, I led with decisiveness yet democracy. I gave my team free reign to take ownership of their work, but I was overseeing everything they were doing throughout the whole thing, andi think that makes me a very good leader, and the result of that task emphasised that.

2) creativity: as highlighted in task 1, 3, 4, and 7, I am someone who is very creative. I come up with many ideas, I'm a mile a minute when it comes to ideas regardless of what the task is about. I have always contributed and have been the driving force behind the creative process of most of the tasks which made me a huge asset to the teams I was on.

3) hardworking: skills are useless if not backed up with hard work and I have worked my tail off every single task going above and beyond to help my team. There were many instances where, when I finished my work, I would go and either help or actually do the task that another was assigned with if I felt like I had a good idea surrounding it (doing the marketing campaign in task one when it was a group task - doing the commercial for task four when it was Steves job etc). And even when my real life had pressured me I never gave less than a 100%

[25/08/2014 15:32:54] Shadi Awwad: As for why i deserve to be in the finals

[25/08/2014 15:39:19] Shadi Awwad: I have been one of the strongest people in this contest so far, and most importantly, I have been consistent. As mentioned above I've been creative hardworking, and a good leader. I have had a great share in why my team won when they did, and I was singled out as the strongest in most of the tasks that I lost. I have also been a good team player, I played with my heart, and seeing how I had no background or experience in DSA I have surpassed all expectation and stood out as a legitimate threat from day 1 to win it all. I have had some key moments that any winner must have and have had many moments to shine. I believe I have hit all the precursors that would qualify me to make the finals, and if I make it there, I promise to give every ounce of energy and creativity and hardwork and zest in culminating this whole experience and journey with one task that solidifies me as the potential winner of this series. You know that if I make it through, I will be tough to beat and I will kill that final task and blow it out of the water.

[25/08/2014 15:40:55] ox o: David: Thank you very much.

[25/08/2014 15:41:27] Shadi Awwad: Thank you!”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Carlisle's interview with Naruto:

Quote:
“ [23/08/2014 17:44:57] ox o: David: A well thought-out answer.

[23/08/2014 17:46:44] ox o: David: Feel free to take your time with this answer, but would you be able to identify three winning qualities and then use examples from the process, ideally three different tasks, that show you have what it takes to be the winner of The DS Apprentice.

[23/08/2014 17:49:51] Naruto Fan: Leadership - Task 2, the Search for the lowest prices task. I had generally positive feedback from all of the team members as I do feel I was a good PM. I was organised with the Price List, everyone knew what they were doing, I had messaged everyone who wasn't available at the first session with what they had missed so there wasn't any delays and we did work well as a team together.

[23/08/2014 17:55:25] Naruto Fan: Creativity - Task 7, the create a Theme Park task. Four Nature was largely my idea, as were a large proportion of the rides. The idea of basing each ride off of one of the four elements was creative as was myself coming up with a large proportion of the rides and then tying and connecting them to their respective nature. It is something that has never been done before and would be of mass appeal.

[23/08/2014 18:02:33] Naruto Fan: Reliability - I am reliable to enough to receive any task/s and complete it to a high standard. One example of this is, Task 4 where we had to create a film. A large majority of the actual film plot was written by me (the beginning and middle). Considering Iain had come up with a general synopsis, he had good faith in me, that I would do the plot good justice as I was reliable in terms of understanding his ideas and being able to translate them into a feature length film.

[23/08/2014 18:08:13] ox o: David: So all in all, do you feel you have done enough to beat out two of your competitors in to the final?

[23/08/2014 18:11:00] Naruto Fan: I definitely do. I think that I have shown a lot more potential than the other candidates at this stage. I have poured my heart and soul into this process and I do believe that I am a better candidate.

[23/08/2014 18:11:22 | Edited 18:11:25] ox o: David: Can you elaborate on how you have shown more potential than the three overs, please?

[23/08/2014 18:15:11] Naruto Fan: I feel I am the most well rounded in terms of things I can actually do and try things I may not be excellent at to raise them to a good level. I am not an excellent graphic artist, but on the two times I have tried to do it, I have learnt a lot and both times, both pieces were included in the final pitch.

[23/08/2014 18:19:22] ox o: David: You seem to be quite happy to take on the role of the all-rounder who doesn't stand out, with what you've said to me throughout this interview. Whilst i'm not questioning your ability do you not feel that not being able to stand out IS a problem? Do you think that simply being 'good' is enough to take you through to the finals?

[23/08/2014 18:26:30] Naruto Fan: I do think I stand out enough in group discussions as I have been named the strongest or one of the strongest players on the team for several tasks. And I feel the achievement of being consistently good is quite a large feat, not something anybody could do.

[23/08/2014 18:26:53] ox o: David: That is true!

[23/08/2014 18:36:51] ox o: David: Over the course of the process I've noticed that you have shown a substantial amount of resilience in order to adapt to the different range of tasks.

[23/08/2014 18:37:25] ox o: David: I'm shocked you didn't use that in your winning qualities as out of all the candidates I would say that sets you apart from the rest.

[23/08/2014 18:40:12] ox o: David: Anyways.

[23/08/2014 18:40:22] ox o: David: One final question because the interview has gone on for quite a while now...

[23/08/2014 18:40:38] ox o: David: Why do you deserve to be in the finals and who do you feel is your biggest competition?

[23/08/2014 18:47:34] Naruto Fan: I deserve to be in the final because each and every task I have been apart of, I have contributed majorly to the final product/pitch. I have contributed ideas and work of a high standard on a variety of tasks showing I am a well rounded candidate. In my areas of specialty, I know what works and what doesn't and this has led to the team winning : The Safe, Sharo, Four Nature. I always give my 100% on each task even if it is out of my comfort zone e.g. The Art Task where my pitch was praised by Katie even though it came short of the opposition. I have led teams twice to no complaints and generally positive reviews and have not made any major mistakes in this competition. I do deserve to be in the finals.

[23/08/2014 18:50:26] Naruto Fan: My biggest competition is Roxie. She has done really well thought out the competition and hasn't really made a foot wrong apart from some minor critique comments. She is definitely one to watch as a competitor.

[23/08/2014 18:51:02] ox o: David: Thank you very much.

[23/08/2014 18:51:09] ox o: David: Best of luck in the boardroom, Naruto.

[23/08/2014 18:51:32] Naruto Fan: Thank you. I appreciate you taking time to do this.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Carlisle's interview with George Part 1:

Quote:
“ [26/08/2014 21:04:40] ox o: David: Good evening, George.

[26/08/2014 21:04:47] George Millman: Good evening, David. How are you?

[26/08/2014 21:04:57] ox o: David: I'm good.

[26/08/2014 21:05:13] ox o: David: We'll start off with something nice and simple. How do you feel the process has gone for you so far?

[26/08/2014 21:06:09] George Millman: I feel that it has gone quite well, but possibly not as well as I would have liked. I have had a couple of close scrapes, which I feel have possibly not painted me in the light that I think I have the abilities to have.

[26/08/2014 21:06:29] ox o: David: I would definitely agree about your scrapes.

[26/08/2014 21:06:49] ox o: David: How do you feel your experience from your previous series of the Digital Spy Apprentice have helped, or hindered, your progress this year?

[26/08/2014 21:07:05] George Millman: I have found this year harder.

[26/08/2014 21:08:34] George Millman: I think that last year helped me develop my skills, but this year I have found it harder to deal with my competitors. That may sound a little odd, as in general I get on with them very well, and I didn't so much last year. I think that firstly this year's batch are collectively stronger players than last year's, and also I think that getting on with people can sometimes be a curse. There have been a couple of times that I have had to remind myself that however well I may get on with them, these people are my competition.

[26/08/2014 21:10:24] George Millman: Having said that, I got to the final four, and I didn't last year, so I have clearly improved somewhat performance-wise.

[26/08/2014 21:10:43] ox o: David: Do you think you've done a good enough job of 'reminding yourself' that they are your competition? Considering only a few weeks ago you said yourself in the Boardroom that the other person sat in risk of being fired didn't deserve to be fired over you. That showed to us that you aren't passionate and driven in regards to the process - something that I never thought would be said about you after judging you on last years competition.

[26/08/2014 21:19:05] George Millman: Interesting. I knew that that one would come up at some point, and I've been considering for a while how I'll react to it.

I will say straight out that the other David was absolutely right in saying in my feedback for that task that that was an extremely foolish thing to do. On that occasion, I let my friendship with Shadi get in the way of fighting my corner, which I shouldn't have done. However, I do feel that there were exceptional circumstances on that occasion. Throughout the task, there was one person I was banking on to be fired if we lost, and that person quit before the boardroom, which threw me a little. I really did want to stay, but the indication was that one of us would go, and I thought that given our performances up until that point, it was more likely to be me. Nevertheless, I wrote a passionate defence of myself, as I wasn't going to go without a fight. Then, just as I was thinking about that afterwards, it occurred to me that my defence had involved saying something about my opponent which was utterly unfair, and that he could be fired instead of me because of that. Ordinarily that wouldn't have thrown me at all, but there were two things that made a difference. One was my friendship with Shadi and knowing how much he wanted it, and the other was the fact that I wasn't sure about my own commitment to the process. I was just about to go on holiday, and I had asked for the next task to be delayed until I was back, so I was messing with everyone's schedules. I wondered if it would just be easier for everyone if I wasn't there. So for a brief moment, I saw it as a game and not as a serious competition, and I was just like, 'Sod it, get rid of me if you want to.' That is the only time in any of the Apprentice-themed processes that I have undertaken that I have ever done that. I sincerely regret it, especially as I have realised now that my commitment is to this process and I badly want to win, but I think that it can be seen that those really were exceptional circumstances, and that for me that reaction was completely out of character. I would also point out that if doing that had made it fundamentally impossible for me to win, Lord Sugar would have fired me on the spot. The fact that he didn't, and that I have spent the last three tasks trying to make up for that (and hopefully succeeding) leads me to think that it would be unfair on me if that mistake came back to haunt me now.

[26/08/2014 21:21:00] ox o: David: Another thing that you have sort of mentioned but not quite is when you were contemplating quitting.

[26/08/2014 21:21:19] ox o: David: Whilst it's natural for candidates in such a process to have ups and downs, anybody who contemplates quitting can't be good for an Apprentice role, correct?

[26/08/2014 21:21:44] ox o: David: It's things like this that just bring into question your dedication and how much you actually want to be here, which is a shame when there were many candidates who would love to have been in your position.

[26/08/2014 21:26:10] George Millman: I disagree. If I was in a job and there was something especially important in my personal life which was distracting me from that, I would leave. I think that that would be fairer on my employer than to stay, but to be half-hearted. If I left, they would be able to find a replacement for me who could do the job more efficiently. In this instance, I was being distracted by something that I did consider to be more important, and I said to Lord Sugar that I would leave if he did not adjust the schedule to suit me. He adjusted the schedule accordingly, so no harm was done. If he had not, I would not have considered it to be fair on anyone for me to still be in the running but not putting in the effort required. I'd bring up the example of Stacey, who effectively quit around the second task, but never left officially, was just inactive for several tasks. People who were more committed to this than she was were fired before her, and I don't think that was fair. I will never do that. I will take part in something only if I have enough time to do it. For a few days, I thought that possibly I didn't, but Lord Sugar made it possible, and I think I have proved my commitment with my performance on the tasks.

[26/08/2014 21:28:38] ox o: David: Okay.

[26/08/2014 21:28:51] ox o: David: Moving away from more personal questions for a second.

[26/08/2014 21:29:01] ox o: David: Which task would you identify as your strongest task, an why?

[26/08/2014 21:32:53] George Millman: There are a few possible candidates for that, but I would choose the second task (ten items). The reason that I chose this is that I feel that I gave this task my all, and was one of the key people responsible for our win. I found at least a couple of our cheapest items, I feel that I held the team together and was in effect our team leader after Stacey disappeared (I had been PM in the previous task and it was the same team, so it was quite easy for me to step into that role as I had already done it) and I feel that I was also a peacemaker. When Shadi and Louise argued on task, I was the one who spoke to Shadi privately, and said that much as I agreed with him, reacting to something like that was not going to do him any favours, and it would help him to calm down.

[26/08/2014 21:33:47] George Millman: There are other tasks that I think I have performed really well on, but that task just makes it to top. I might also add that having had a shaky Task 1, I think that doing that well on Task 2 showed Lord Sugar that I can actually be a really strong performer.

[26/08/2014 21:34:31] ox o: David: I'm always a little confused when candidates indicate that the scavenger hunt task, a task which doesn't require any specific winning qualities/ability to succeed in other than being good at searching the web, as their strongest task.

[26/08/2014 21:34:35] ox o: David: However let's move on.

[26/08/2014 21:34:50] ox o: David: In the same light, could you identify your weakest task and why?

[26/08/2014 21:35:05] George Millman: Well, if that is the case, I would question why it is used as a task at all. It must have something to it, if Lord Sugar considers it important enough to use.

[26/08/2014 21:36:48] George Millman: I would say that my weakest task was Task 4, definitely. I feel that the team jumped on Shadi's idea too quickly without really considering other ideas, and I pushed for the British film industry. To be honest, I pushed for that because that's what I know, and it never really occurred to me that that wouldn't work with our film. I wouldn't say that I was the weakest person on the team, but I certainly wasn't a standout performer. Having said that, I will say that I worked really hard on certain points, such as the casting.

[26/08/2014 21:37:06] ox o: David: It's chosen as a task because it shows resourcefulness and offers a variation on the typical task.

[26/08/2014 21:37:39] ox o: David: Not that that is an appropriate thing to say in an interview...

[26/08/2014 21:37:43] ox o: David: Okay, so the forth task was your weakest.

[26/08/2014 21:38:03] George Millman: Well, there you are then. That is something other than searching the web. For me, it showed my leadership qualities and my ability to be a team player and a peacemaker.

[26/08/2014 21:38:17 | Edited 21:38:23] ox o: David: Something that is apparent by looking at your progress this year throughout the process is that you seem to be VERY up and down. With three tasks, Task 1, 4 & 7.

[26/08/2014 21:38:38] ox o: David: in particular you were very weak and narrowly escaped being fired on all three occasions.

[26/08/2014 21:38:39] George Millman: I wouldn't necessarily say that it is inappropriate to say in an interview. If someone says something that I feel to be incorrect, I think it is fair to counter that with what I feel to be a reasonable point.

[26/08/2014 21:38:47] ox o: David: Do you consider yourself lucky to be in the final four?

[26/08/2014 21:39:25] George Millman: Not at all, I think I deserve to be here. And I would disagree on Task 7, as a matter of fact. I think I did a very good job as Project Manager, and my team would agree. I see your point with Tasks 1 and 4, but not 7.

[26/08/2014 21:41:48] ox o: David: I include task 7 because of how close it was between yourself and Iain to be fired. Whilst the idea was ultimately his area and that was, ultimately, the failure of the task, a lot of the decisions were confusing and didn't collaborate well with what a theme park entails. For example, location. As project manager, is it not your responsibility to have the final say on anything? Whilst the others came up with the original ideas for location & theme, you ultimately have the veto. This makes me question your 'skillful' leadership.

[26/08/2014 21:42:32] ox o: David: I would also like to add that on more than one task throughout the process a member of your team has identified you as 'blunt' and that you are no stranger to causing tension. This would dispute with your self-titled 'peacemaker' role.

[26/08/2014 21:42:45] ox o: David: I want to know whether you feel like you are an approachable member of the team?

[26/08/2014 21:44:11] George Millman: I did have the final say on everything. We had good reasons for going for India, and although it did come up that maybe we should change it, I knew that we could pitch India and pitch it well (and we did), and I felt that if we did switch and it backfired, that would be a lot more dangerous for us than sticking with our guns. But we chose India from a lot of ideas, because that seemed to be an idea that everyone was quite passionate about, and we were confident in pitching. Obviously it turned out not to work out for us, but I think it is clear that I made that decision for the right reasons.

[26/08/2014 21:45:26] George Millman: I think that there is a difference between bluntness and honesty. I have said in the past that if I feel something to be the case, I may as well say it directly. There are some people who will say one thing on task and the complete opposite in the boardroom, and I will always say to them, if you had a problem, why didn't you voice that at the time? Voicing something at the time could turn it around for the team. I will always say what I think. People may not like that, but I always have good reason for thinking it.

[26/08/2014 21:46:47] George Millman: I feel that I am approachable. I feel that I get on very well with at least two of the remaining candidates, and in fact with most of the people throughout the process. I can think of very few arguments that I have had with anyone actually, and I can give you examples of when I have been the peacemaker on task. I have already given you one in my assessment of the second task, but I can offer others if you wish.

[26/08/2014 21:48:23] ox o: David: Can I just clarify what yourr peacemaker example is for the second task?

[26/08/2014 21:52:28] George Millman: Louise said something to Shadi on task which wound him up. I am wary of bringing that subject up again as it caused a huge stir on the forums after the task, but it is necessary to make the point of how I reacted whilst we were there. Shadi was quite upset by what she said to him, and started to argue with her about it. I did not believe that that conversation was one that we needed to be having at that time, so I opened up a private chat with him to calm him down. I said to him that I agreed with his point, but arguing about it at that point was not how we were going to win, and potentially could make him come across in a negatively light unfairly. I felt that he listened to me, and me saying that made that situation considerably less than it would otherwise have been, because he was quite angry and I felt was quite likely to continue defending himself. I don't think there is anything wrong with defending oneself, but in the middle of the task is not the time.

[26/08/2014 21:54:08] George Millman: I know that there was quite an argument about it after the task, and I was very vocal in defending Shadi, and in the end it got to a stage where you were banned by Forum Support. That was after the task, which I think is altogether different. I was not prepared to stand up for someone being, in my opinion, unfairly criticised. I stand by everything I said, and do not believe that I went overboard with it. If I had, I would have been banned myself.

[26/08/2014 21:54:17] ox o: David: It's just a confusing thing to mention whilst commendable how you dealt with it during the task, a large amount of the petrol added to the flame in the viewers thread after the task was brought on by yourself.

[26/08/2014 21:54:39] ox o: David: But I can why you have and I'm glad that somebody was around, like you were, to settle the water of the whole situation.

[26/08/2014 21:55:05] ox o: David: How have you felt during the process being a project manager? Both your loss in task one, and your win in task seven.

[26/08/2014 21:55:30] George Millman: Thank you. And I would also say that even on the forums afterwards, initially I only wrote two sentences about how I thought Louise's comments were unfair. Anything I said after that was in response to what people had said to me, and I will always respond when addressed.

[26/08/2014 21:56:58 | Edited 21:57:02] ox o: David: That's quite a confrontatiional approach to things, George. Do you see how that can be deemed inappropriate behaviour when this should be treated as a job application?

[26/08/2014 21:58:23 | Edited 22:01:20] George Millman: I feel that the first loss said more about my management in a negative light than the other one. I did make several big mistakes on the first task, I will hold my hands up to that. I was talking about this in my interview with Jack, and I think that having a background in theatre, sometimes if something feels right I will just go with it because I know that I can make it work and show what I want to show, and I don't really care very much if others don't feel the same way. In the arts, you can work like that because it's very subjective. In business you can't so much, and I think that that is one of the biggest lessons that I have learned here. But I have learned it, and I don't think that I did anything like that in Task 7. We lost, but not because I decided things too quickly. Everyone was passionate about what we were doing, and I think that I undertook the decision-making process in the most logical manner possible. And we did market research and I made decisions based around what that said as well.

[26/08/2014 22:01:03 | Edited 22:01:47] George Millman: I think that if someone says something to me, especially if it is something critical, it is reasonable to respond to them. If someone criticises me in a manner which I think that I can respond to politely and eloquently, and I do not do that, that says a lot about me as a person. It says that I don't have enough backbone to stand up for myself, and it also suggests that the other person is right, when I think that they possibly might not be. I can take criticism; whenever someone has said something to me that is actually legitimate, I am mature enough to take that on the chin. What I will not put up with is people saying things to me which are either not true, or not fair. If someone does that, I think it is entirely reasonable to defend myself, just as I would entirely understand someone who did that in response to something that I'd said.

[26/08/2014 22:02:05] ox o: David: Okay.

[26/08/2014 22:02:16] ox o: David: If you could go back to the start of this years DS Apprentice, what would you change if you were to do it once more?

[26/08/2014 22:02:49] George Millman: That's an interesting question. May I have a moment to consider that?

[26/08/2014 22:03:50] ox o: David: Absolutely, go for it.

[26/08/2014 22:08:13] George Millman: I think that most of the tasks I can be really proud of actually. Some may disagree, but I feel that I have performed to the best of my ability on most of them. So on what to change, it would really be on Tasks 1 and 4, my weakest tasks. On Task 1, I wouldn't change my overall management style, because my team really appreciated me and everyone said I was a great manager. I would, however, change the process we used in order to make decisions for our restaurant. I would have taken on board what Stacey said about being an all-vegetarian restaurant, which I think was our biggest slip-up. Also, if we had still lost, I would have brought Steve into the boardroom over Stacey.

In Task 4, I would have fought against going for Shadi's film idea, as it wasn't a good idea to have a plot that one of our team was very close to, as it made it quite hard to change things to suit what we were doing. Having done that, I think that the rest of my approach to that task wasn't necessarily too bad. I was criticised for pushing the UK film industry, but that may have worked if we'd had a different story. But I would have tried to avoid pushing it quite as strongly as I did.

[26/08/2014 22:10:52] ox o: David: Good answers there!

[26/08/2014 22:10:58] George Millman: Thank you.”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Carlisle's interview with George Part 2:

Quote:
“[26/08/2014 22:11:01] ox o: David: My next question is...

[26/08/2014 22:11:18] ox o: David: How do you feel this series of Digital Spy Apprentice has been run?

[29/08/2014 03:22:48] ox o: David: [26/08/2014 22:15:05] George Millman: It varies, but I have enjoyed it in any case. Niall has done a great job as Lord Sugar. I haven't agreed with all his decisions, but he has had good reason for making them, and has conducted himself very well, I feel. I also think that some of the tasks have been really creative. On the more negative side, I have felt on a couple of occasions that the advisors could have acted in a more professional capacity. I know that's a rather risky thing to say given that I am talking to one of the advisors, but having been asked that question I have to be honest! But in general you and Louise have been great, and Niall has been great.

If I win, I have some great ideas for DSA5 when I'm Lord Sugar! But I'm not telling you
[26/08/2014 22:18:23] ox o: David: Okay.

[26/08/2014 22:18:33] ox o: David: I have one last question as the interview has gone on for over an hour already

[26/08/2014 22:18:40] ox o: David: Please take your time as it's quite a long, but important one.

[26/08/2014 22:19:06] ox o: David: Firstly, who do you feel is your biggest competition?

[26/08/2014 22:19:49] ox o: David: Secondly, using examples from three different
tasks, identify three winning qualities that you possess over the other candidates and why you should win.

[26/08/2014 22:24:48] George Millman: I feel that my biggest competitor is Shadi. I will be the first to admit that business comes more naturally to him than it does to me - he has actual business qualifications and I don't. He is also more able than me at things like figures, margins and so on. However, I feel that I have skills that he does not. I think that I am more creative than Shadi; I have won more tasks than he has, and not by coincidence either. On two out of his three wins, I have been on the team and I have been someone who has really been involved in steering us. He is a threat and a force to be reckoned with because his skill set is completely different to mine and he has talents that Roxie and I don't (I don't know enough about Naruto to judge), so he will be quite a hard one to defend myself against. I would just have to hope that the talents that I do have work in my favour. Also I would consider myself to be more approachable than Shadi; I have personally never had a problem working with him, but I know that he is quite a fiery character and he possibly needs to temper himself a little.

[26/08/2014 22:25:03] George Millman: Just give me a moment to think of my winning qualities.

[26/08/2014 22:32:52] George Millman: My first winning quality is my leadership skills. It may seem a little odd that I am bringing that up given that I have the weakest PM record out of the four of us, but I don't think that the paper records necessarily mean anything. There have been many tasks in this series when the weaker Project Manager has won - i.e. Arran beating me, Stacey beating Naruto, Steve beating Zak... Both of the occasions that I have been Project Manager, my team has really rated me as a good leader, and although I made a few mistakes involving decisions on Task 1, generally I have done a very good job. This is presumably why I was not fired on either occasion; I just did a quick check, and I am one of only four people in DSA history to have two PM losses and not be fired for either of them, you being another one so you would presumably understand that it is not always about individual talent whether you win or lose. Also, I feel that there have been many tasks when I have somewhat steered the team in the right direction, when I have not been Project Manager. Whenever our PM has been absent, I have stepped up (on Tasks 2 and 4, for example) and I have generally been a fairly authoritative figure within the team. And the majority of the tasks, I have won, and I think that that is a key reason for that.

[26/08/2014 22:38:28 | Edited 22:38:53] George Millman: My second quality which sets me apart is my attention to detail. I have always proof-read the pitches to ensure that they are professional-looking, grammatically correct and that they flow well, do not regularly repeat words and so on. There have been occasions where this has possibly been seen as a bit more of a negative, as I think it has possibly occurred to people that I may focus so much on small things like that that I have forgotten to look at the bigger picture. In response to that, I would always say that they may be small, but they are important. I think it is really important in business to look professional and to come across like someone who knows what they are doing and isn't an amateur. There may have been the odd occasion that I have lost sight of the bigger picture, but I believe that both can be focussed on at once, and my ability to handle such things is second to none, and certainly to no one else in this process. For example, a few tasks ago Roxie ended a pitch with 'Feel free to answer any questions'. I would always say that 'I would now like to open the floor to questions' sounds a lot less childish, and a lot more credible. There are other things, like using full words instead of abbreviations. I am always the person who is assigned to deal with things like that, and I think that in each task in which we have had to pitch something, it has made our team look better in the eyes of the viewers, whether or not we have won.

[26/08/2014 22:44:18] George Millman: My third quality which sets me apart is my independence. A lot of the time, I have had to handle things on my own. There have been at least two tasks when I have been the only member of my team who has been online when it came to the pitch, and therefore had to do the whole thing myself - which has been a bit annoying, but I can handle it. I have answered questions from viewers which have not been about the part that I was working on because the most appropriate person to answer wasn't around, and I have been able to handle that quite well. On the first task, although I was criticised it did come up in the boardroom that Lord Sugar was impressed by how well I dealt with any concerns that were raised, which was virtually all done by me personally and not my team. On the tasks, I have worked very well on my own. I designed the advert for the app on Task 3 by myself, and everyone loved it. On Task 5, I chose a great artist, and Tyjet was extremely excited by my pitch. On Task 6, I worked through all of the Eurovision records since the last time that we won, and how many points we had received from each country ever since. I am not afraid to work incredibly hard and get my hands dirty, and I am able to work without anyone watching over me and still produce a great result. I do not need hand-holding, I have a very independent approach and I think that that approach has got me where I am today. If and when I win this process, I want to be able to say that I got there on my own, and that it was not a fluke caused by someone else always being around. I think that I have done enough to prove that. If I have not, let me try my hand at the final task so that I can show you even more.

[26/08/2014 22:48:20] ox o: David: Thank you very much.

[26/08/2014 22:48:25] ox o: David: Good luck in the boardroom, George.

[26/08/2014 22:51:06] George Millman: Thank you, David”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

and finally, Carlisle's interview with Roxie:

Quote:
“[22/08/2014 19:09:25] ox o: David: Good Evening, Roxie.

[22/08/2014 19:09:45] Roxie: Good evening David - thank you once again for taking the time out to conduct this interview.

[22/08/2014 19:10:19] ox o: David: Not a problem. So my interview with you is all about the process as a whole and in particular your journey throughout the process.

[22/08/2014 19:10:26] ox o: David: How do you feel that the process has gone for you?

[22/08/2014 19:15:29 | Edited 19:15:39] ox o: David: Are you still there?

[22/08/2014 19:15:48] Roxie: I have enjoyed the process thorougly especially as someone who is new to this process. I also feel I have shown how strong I am with each and every task, demonstrating different skills every task. I have also found it immensely fulfilling in terms of what I have learned whether it be about other industries such as art, restaurants, theme parks or whether it be learning about myself, improving on weaknesses and building on strengths.

[22/08/2014 19:17:50] ox o: David: Great. Do you feel that this being your first year of competing within the Digital Spy Apprentice disadvantages you? As you said yourself that you are new to the process, this being in comparison to your fellow candidates Naruto & George who are both on their third and second time respectively.

[22/08/2014 19:22:05] Roxie: I feel yes in a certain way I was at a bit of a disadvantage in the sense it took some time for me to get to know how the process works and about the logistical side of tasks - I would not have known about any of that beforehand. I think in the actual tasks themselves came up I actually coped well and settled into the process in a good way, demonstrating my creativity in the first task for example by coming up with the tropical and four cuisine theme which many viewers and Lord Sugar praised for being a unique concept. There were parts like location and marketing which I was not so familiar with dealing with in terms of methodology but I have built on those throughout the process with my analytical approach.

[22/08/2014 19:23:13] ox o: David: I would agree that you managed to settle into the process in a good way.

[22/08/2014 19:23:40] ox o: David: Moving on then... can you please identify to me the one task which you feel went best for you personally and why?

[22/08/2014 19:29:11] Roxie: I believe I have had a strong showing on a number of tasks. But I feel my strongest tasks were Tasks 4, 5 and 6 which show a journey of sorts.

[22/08/2014 19:29:51] ox o: David: If you were to pick just one, which of those would it be?

[22/08/2014 19:35:05] Roxie: The task which showed off the length and breadth of my capabilities was Task 6 when I won the task with my idea to use Hurts for Eurovision. This task showed nearly every aspect of why I am a strong candidate and why I should be the next Apprentice.

I was hugely creative this task, coming up with most of the ideas throughout the process such as the artist, the song, most of the concert overview with locations and most of our promotional plan. But I was sensibly creative basing my decision off Hurts’ great European success and synth pop style which would be well suited to European audiences.

That leads me on to my next point which is that I showed my analytical approach to tasks. My approach to a task and ideas is to always do a pros and cons evaluation, and base my decisions using evidence. My decision to use Hurts was based off such evidence which included their current European-wide success, their experience in performing live and their affiliation with Kylie Minogue a huge European star. So using this approach, I choose Hurts over my potential other ideas which were Bastille, Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds.

I was also a great team player and a great team leader as Iain, George and even Lord Sugar stated. You yourself even went on to say that it was one of the most cohesive teams he had seen in all his years of Digital Spy Apprentice. I delegated duties based off individual strengths too which I had seen from previous tasks, putting Iain in charge of the concert because of his strengths in production and George in promotion because of his strength in marketing. My organisational skills were also shown by how I made sure the pitch was structured and phrased properly and how I made sure everyone was in the loop and informed about everything every step of the way.

I also moved completely out of my comfort zone this task designing a poster. Although it was not a comfort zone for myself, I never stated as such and never complained, instead I jumped to it straight away as an opportunity to show myself going out of my comfort zone and I was determined to make the best poster I could do. The end product was also well liked by my team members showing that I had even performed somewhat well in an area where my skill set may not necessarily lie.

Most importantly, I think this task showed my approach in the best way – how I go above and beyond every task such as doing a section on where we went wrong in previous years and putting in ways Hurts would combat these reasons. I feel this is what Lord Sugar appreciated the most too, how structured and focused my work is. I always prioritise what sections of the brief are the most important and I focus on those. In this case, my approach to the task was sound - I believe I showed every aspect of being a great candidate, potentially even the strongest so far by the number of skills I demonstrated.

[22/08/2014 19:39:01] ox o: David: So you feel that your strongest task throughout the process was when you used your most recent NTA act for a task based around originality?

[22/08/2014 19:39:02] ox o: David: Interesting.

[22/08/2014 19:39:17] ox o: David: Let's move on.

[29/08/2014 15:28:07] ox o: David: In the same light, would you be able to explain to me which task throughout the process was your weakest task?

[22/08/2014 19:43:50] Roxie: I feel that Task 1 was perhaps my weakest because I was not available for most of it and therefore less able to contribute and help us win. Louise also commented saying that I have all the ingredients to be a top candidate but I was not available enough to show it. And I have built on this aspect of my performance as a candidate. In fact I did it straight away, finding 5 of the cheapest items for my team in Task 2, 7 if my mini football and kid football whistle were accepted. Additionally my approach for each and every task since then has been to take at least 2 or 3 points of each brief as well as adding on additional parts to make sure our end product is as polished as possible, such as adding a separate budgeting and marketing sections for our film in the film task, or a promotional plan for the theme park task. I am extremely dedicated to this process and determined to show myself off in the best possible way, so I have improved on my availability and dedication doing all these different sections and contributing as much as possible to other people’s sections.

[22/08/2014 19:45:00] Roxie: I would also like to add that even in what I feel was my weakest task I still managed to come up with the winning idea in our beginning brain storm so I did still feel as though I pulled my weight during that task, perhaps not as profoundly as other tasks but I still did well.

[22/08/2014 19:46:06] ox o: David: So overall, you feel like you are a competent candidate, worthy to continue competing for the role of The Apprentice?

[22/08/2014 19:54:47] Roxie: I would definitely say I am a worthy candidate to become the next Apprentice because I feel I have demonstrated a whole range of skills throughout this process. I have demonstrated excellent team leadership, being universally commended in my first PM stint in Task 3 and leading one of the most cohesive teams that you had seen in Task 6. I have shown great teamwork as many others have pointed out, including Iain saying I was one of the easiest and kindest people to work with. I have shown the ability to move out of my comfort zone, and build on weaknesses. One of the problems of Task 3 was my promotional plan and I have built on that being commended for a good promotional plan in Task 4 and praised for my ideas in Task 7 by viewers such as Katie and Lord Sugar himself. I have also shown myself to be sensibly creative with my restaurant idea. I have shown my analytical approach to tasks with choosing Hurts over other acts for Eurovision. I have shown a passionate approach to tasks being commended in Task 6 by viewers such as Amy, the buyer, team members and Lord Sugar himself for a topic (art) that I am not particularly knowledgable about. I have shown a dedicated approach to tasks always tackling a few sections. I feel that I have shown that I am a well rounded candidate, but at the same time I also feel I have shown I excel in many areas. I am absolutely determined to be Lord Sugar's next Apprentice.

[22/08/2014 19:57:27] ox o: David: All great qualities and skills to have and it is definitely evident to me that you are a very capable candidate. However, for somebody so capable, why do you have the joint worst win/loss record and the joint most final boardroom appearances?

[22/08/2014 20:06:00] Roxie: I would not say that a record reflects accurately on the capabilities of a candidate, especially because some of the tasks I have been a part of have not been my fault at all.

In Task 2, yes I was the one who found the hotel room which in the end was the deciding factor in why our team lost but four other people – Naruto, Arran, Emma and Jess had tried looking for a cheaper hotel room price than mine and they could not match it. I myself searched far and wide for each item and could not find anything that undercut it so it was not necessarily completely my fault.

In Task 3, the main issue with our pitch was the fact that Sing Something would not be feasible to use anywhere because it would involve singing in public. That was not my idea but I tried to make it work still, demonstrating again my professional attitude. I actually tried to make the idea less restrictive by putting in a genres feature, the 80s and 90s music genres would appeal to older demographics well, and global connectivity to establish the game as a competition as well.

In Task 4, I was the main person against the idea of using the film’s plot as something we would market as a British drama and everyone agreed with me that task. I was the only one who advocated something different and more appropriate for our plot which would have been a Hollywood thriller or a period drama because it was not realistic enough for a British drama. I still tried to make it work as I said before tackling contemporary issues of domestic violence, sexual abuse and infertility.

In Task 7, I would attribute some of the blame of the failure of the seventh task on me because I did give evidence as to why India would be a good location because of the large, young domestic population and therefore did push for it. However at the same time in my pros and cons assessment, I did advocate us going with a more popular tourist place like Australia and New York. Also when market research came back, and people were saying it was an odd location I was the first person to say to George that we should perhaps change the location. While yes India may not be the first place for a tourist destination, in the end I do think I gave suitable enough evidence why it would be a feasible and sensible location, and I was trying to be as creative as possible. We were given the opportunity to select anywhere in the world so my reasoning was why go with a place already infested with theme parks? In hindsight I should have perhaps advocated going with the location with the most tourists, i.e. France.

I also told Iain we should make the science theme more futuristic and sci-fi orientated which would be more appealing to our demographic, such as having a space ride but he felt the Star Trek ride was enough. In hindsight I also think I should have pushed for this more.

[22/08/2014 20:07:25] ox o: David: It's interesting that you say "In hindsight I also think I should have pushed for this more."”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Just a quick note - I think Roxie's interview with Carlisle has been cut off but that's all I've been sent so far, so if either of them could send me the end of the interview or post it themselves when they can that would be great!

So that's all the interviews - a lot to read but clearly the candidates put a lot of thought into these and the boardroom won't be till tomorrow evening so hopefully you have time to read them!

Make sure you check out the boardroom tomorrow night at 8:30pm, where two candidates will be fired and the final 2 will be revealed!

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Here is the rest of Carlisle's interview with Roxie:

Would you say you're regularly at the forefront of discussions throughout the process? (A simple yes or no will suffice).

Quote:
“[22/08/2014 20:05:18] Roxie: I would just like to add is that while I have been in a number of final boardrooms, I have never actually been in the final two. Lord Sugar has always sent me out before he asks the candidates to talk about themselves in more detail and giving final arguments as to why they should be saved. I would attribute this too to my strong performance as a candidate. I was by default in the BRs for whatever task we lost (because we had only three people in Task 4 for example) except for Task 2.

[22/08/2014 20:06:22] Roxie: Yes, I would attribute that to my attitude to make sure we win and how I am always a team player in that I will give my opinions on other people's work.

[22/08/2014 20:08:00] ox o: David: Whilst being at the forefront of discussions and brainstorming sessions is definitely a vital skill for a strong Apprentice candidate, one of our main criticisms throughout the process has been that you are incredibly pushy at times and have been known to overwhelm other people and their idea's until you get your way and your idea is chosen. Would you say that's a fair comment to make?

[22/08/2014 20:10:18] ox o: David: In particular, using the evaluations as a source here, two quotes I have that stand out for me personally are, "Roxie is a very intelligent person but I feel she belittles the rest of the team and often forces her ideas upon others." and "I would say Roxie is a very overwhelming and overbearing personality, especially in brainstorms and team discussions."

[22/08/2014 20:11:16] ox o: David: (I would also like to note that it's not my job to interview you on your opinions on other candidates in the process and the point of mentioning those quotes was to identify a potential issue for a future Apprentice.)

[22/08/2014 20:19:22] Roxie: I would disagree with this to some extent. My mentality towards tasks is always that of whatever is in the best interests of the team and if my idea may potentially help us to win then of course I will push for it. I also have an analytical approach to tasks coming to decisions based off market research or online evidence, and making a list of pros and cons, rather than simply off potential, so if I may seem particularly convincing or persuasive to some people then so be it. Also if anything the reason we have lost certain tasks is because I have not pushed hard enough for an idea such as in Task 4 when both my advisor - David - and Amy said I should have more conviction in my ideas.

I would agree with this to a certain extent in that a potential Apprentice should never seem to impose their way of thinking on other candidates and clearly I have made certain people feel that way on certain occasions such as Iain not feeling like he was part of the team in Task 6. I regret that he felt that way but that was not because I was deliberately hiding work from him but because everything had been done. In hindsight I should have made him help me out with the poster and perhaps I should dub down my presence on tasks and give others more of an opportunity to speak their ideas if anything. I personally do not agree with the belittling criticism to be honest as I have never spoken that way to anyone. I always act with professionalism and speak to other candidates on equal footing, and I always take advantage of their strengths such as Emma with her great design work in Task 3 and Iain with his great production skills in Task 7.

[22/08/2014 20:21:23] ox o: David: Good answers .

[22/08/2014 20:22:24] ox o: David: Honestly, you've had a pretty fantastic run throughout the process. Very rarely are you seen in a negative light, if at all to the viewers, but if you were to go back in time to the start of the process once again... Would you change anything about how you've performed/behaved?

[22/08/2014 20:30:13] Roxie: Thank you David for saying that. And yes there are a number of things I would do differently. Firstly I would like to do as you have suggested that maybe I have been too overbearing on tasks and I would try give others more of a chance to speak their opinions especially in brainstorms and I would try to speak to them perhaps a bit more casually instead in a way which may come across as patronizing. But if anything perhaps I would say my biggest mistake of all the tasks so far was the stubborn and slightly rude way I reacted to our team losing in the Task 3 boardroom which was completely unprofessional in which I started criticising viewers who were spending their own time helping to make this game run smoothly by reading our pitches and asking some well thought out questions.

In part however I do think it was because I invested so much time and effort into making our app the best possible one, and I felt people were not getting certain points that I was putting across, but that was more an issue on my side in misunderstanding some of the criticism. I am the type of person who dislikes making excuses but I would like to say that I was going through some serious personal circumstances at the time involving my mother and I already felt slightly deflated so when we lost it was crushing. But I have learned to never react in such a stubborn and combative way ever again. I should have remained dignified as you said and instead I should have stuck to my normal analytic approach and stuck to analysing where we went wrong in the task and how various issues could have been prevented.

[26/08/2014 01:31:08] ox o: David: -------------------------

[26/08/2014 01:32:20] ox o: David: Sometimes we've noticed that you can be quite stubborn, and sometimes this stubbornness translates to being potentially incapable of handling criticism very well. Do you think that is true, and if not, then why do you think that it sometimes comes across as this?

[26/08/2014 01:43:19] Roxie:
I understand the view that I may be stubborn at times, particularly in Task 3's boardroom which I accept was not particularly good thing to do and I deeply regret how I acted at that time but equally therefore I can see why other people would think that. Also during tasks I can be stubborn but I usually only do so when it is sensible and appropriate and I can pursue certain ideas so I can see where that criticism comes from. For example, in Task 4 when Shadi, George and Zak had decided on a plot without having considered the target genre and industry, I definitely had to emphasise the point (and thus be stubborn) about choosing a relevant target industry like Hollywood. However I can see that sometimes I may be overly adamant about certain points but throughout this process I have learned to stop being adamant for example when George did not understand my forces ride for the theme park I did not pursue the idea any further because I did understand it would be too complicated for our ride. So I definitely know when to stop pursing an idea and I am getting better at that.

However I would disagree with the view that I do not take criticism well as whenever someone has criticised my ideas - such as Iain criticising my cultural themed idea for a theme park, I was the one in fact who said I understood what George was saying and I accepted his view that there may be possible religious conflicts with my idea. Throughout that task and previous tasks I have been receptive to criticism as I treat this process as a learning curve. Constructive criticism improves one's performance as a candidate so I definitely feel that it is important for any person in any profession to take on board feedback and critique and I do feel I do take on board criticism. That is one thing I do very well.

[26/08/2014 01:47:52] Roxie: I do also feel that I handled the criticism that you gave me during the Task 7 particularly well – which was that I dominated the task over George which I did not necessarily agree with but I nevertheless took that on board as a way to improve myself, as a team member in this case to give other people more of an opportunity to voice their ideas.

[26/08/2014 01:50:30] ox o: David: All good points. My final thing about you as a candidate on a personal level is about something you said to me previously. You noted that it takes a long time for you to articulate yourself properly in sentences. Is that not a contract killer in something like this, The Apprentice? The point of these interviews and the boardrooms is for a fast-paced exchange where you have to fight. Whilst your answers are all very 'perfect' on the surface, much like your journey throughout the process, I'm worried that cracks are starting to show. Do you feel you're at a disadvantage to the other candidates who can all articulate and defend themselves quickly and adequately. Do you feel it's going to hinder you in the boardroom? Both Final 4, and final 2 if you are to make it.

[26/08/2014 02:04:33] Roxie: I do believe I answer quite quickly in boardrooms and this has never been an issue really. I do not feel that this would therefore hinder me at all in this boardroom and the final 2 boardroom. That is no problem. I just believe the interviews are different to the boardrooms to a certain extent. While yes interviews are meant to be conversations between people, interviews are also to gauge as much about a candidate's abilities as possible thus I feel that there is a lot to talk about especially in this process which has been full of different types of tasks showing different abilites and qualities. I feel I have shown a lot of different qualities in this process so I need time to show that. At the same time, I do feel typed interviews are different to face-to-face interviews in that no one would be able to type faster than they speak and in an ordinary interview situation I would be able to speak a lot more quickly than I do type. I do not believe my articulation is a crack in my performance either as I do think I articulate myself fine, as well as anyone else does in this process, in fact my pitches in Task 3, Task 5 and Task 6 were all commended as being great pitches and they are all proof of how articulate I can be. What I said was simply a way of expressing my dyslexia without outrightly saying I have it as I am not an habit to make excuses. I am perfectly able to give fast answers as I do anyway in the boardroom I do not believe it should hinder me.

[26/08/2014 02:10:09] Roxie: Also I do feel that I have shown many different abilities in many different examples so I do feel that I have a lot to talk about too. This is in fact is a good thing for an Apprentice to have as it shows I think things through and I have a lot to say about different topics.

[26/08/2014 02:10:31] ox o: David: That's definitely a way of spinning it to become a positive, good.

[26/08/2014 02:10:40] ox o: David: Two last questions now then...

[26/08/2014 02:10:56] ox o: David: Firstly can you identify who your strongest competition is in your eyes?

[26/08/2014 02:14:19] ox o: David: (This doesn't need to be a long answer)

[26/08/2014 02:15:04] Roxie: Yes this is a difficult choice to make because they are all very capable at this stage. I believe Naruto is the strongest competitor I have come across so far. While Shadi is the most creative, I do think Naruto has shown lots of different qualities over the whole process and in that way is an all round like myself. He has shown himself to be creative, coming up ideas which we used in Task 1 which enhanced my own idea for the restaurant such as rotary plates. He also has shown himself to be a really easy person to work with and a great team leader. He was always encouraging me in Task 2 and he came up with a good way of ensuring that everyone found the lowest prices possible which was to swap the items around which made it seem like we were all competing with each other to find the lowest prices (while competing with the other team as well of course). Throughout the competition he has been organised and come up with great ideas so I do think it would be him.

[26/08/2014 02:15:41] ox o: David: Awesome.

[26/08/2014 02:23:01] ox o: David: Finally, can you highlight three examples where you have shown winning qualities and also on top of that conclude with the reason why you feel that you should be in the finals and go on to win the competition?

[26/08/2014 02:55:24] Roxie: Firstly I would say my art pitch in Task 7 and the question and answer session afterwards definitely showed winning qualities. One of the winning qualities I demonstrated was my passion, my pitch was commended by the buyer, viewers such as Amy, team mates such as Shadi and Lord Sugar himself for being so passionate in my pitch and selling my art well. It also showed my structured and focused approach, finding abstract art based on deep stories which was what the buyer was specifically asking for. It also demonstrated my knowledge of logistics via pricing, as the buyer said that I had bridged the possible income gap divide and increased the mass appeal by making cheaper digital prints available within the range. I showed a lot of creativity as well using an urban art artist who had a lot sorts of influences from abstract art to surreal art. It was all this combined which I feel gave me the landslide victory here which the buyer herself said I had achieved.

Secondly, I believe my PM leadership in Task 3 showed a number of different qualities. I showed great leadership, delegating tasks based off personal strengths such as Emma with design and Zak with research background doing the target demographic research bit. It showed my analytical approach making a brainstorm of 12 ideas and then choosing the best ones off pros and cons. My mentality throughout the task was motivational, Emma and Steve were both expressing insecurities about themselves and I was there supporting them saying that they all have strengths and to not be hard on themselves. My ability to go above and beyond was shown here too as I went above and beyond with the pitch making sure it was structured and spending hours going through the target sections with each person. You said that you liked the fact that I took an interest in other people’s work, lending my ideas to their own such as on our poster, target demographic and unique selling points. My organisation even won us votes from some of the members of the public such as Kevin. The biggest show of my leadership skills was that all 4 people in my team, yourself and Lord Sugar commented about I was great team leader, I was unanimously praised for my leadership skills and you said that it was the best you had seen so far. I believe I was a really supportive team member throughout the task and a motivational team leader.

Finally I would say how I handled myself after Shadi and I had an argument in the fourth task. I was the first one to apologize and I offered to come to a compromise. I believe I demonstrated many winning qualities in this example once again. I tried to make the idea work even though I disagreed with it which showed my professional and Amy for example thought was particularly admirable. I also showed I am an honest person that I will voice concerns with an idea if I believe it to be necessary in this case it was our inappropriate industry. Shadi himself also having a really bad day and I helped him through it and we are really good friends now which I think says a lot about my personality and my ability to work in a team.

[26/08/2014 03:05:58] Roxie: I believe I have shown a lot of different qualities every task which would make the ideal next Apprentice. I have shown hard work and dedication every task, for example in Task 2 when I found 5 of our cheapest items. I have shown a lot of passion in every task, especially in Task 5 with my art pitch. I have shown a sensible and realistic approach to creativity such as with the tropical four cuisine restaurant, and using Hurts for Eurovision. I have shown great team leadership, being universally praised in Task 3 and leading one of the most cohesive teams ever in Task 6. I have an analytical approach to tasks basing decisions on evidence and using pros and cons which helped me select Hurts over other bands like Bastille, Marina and the Diamonds and Ellie Goulding for Task 6. I have been praised for my organised and structured approach to tasks, for example my ‘where we have gone wrong in previous years’ section in Task 6 specifically focused on what Lord Sugar was looking for. I have good logistical skill too, for example in Task 4 and Task 7 my promotional plan was praised by all.

I also believe I should be the next Apprentice because I also show a lot of different qualities to other candidates. I am well-rounded while also excelling in many areas. I have not had a weak task so far this series. I also possess a rigorous work ethic, always going above and beyond for my team – often doing 2 or 3 sections of the brief as well as adding in more sections to make our final product look more polished and sensible. Whenever I am put out of my comfort zone, I never make any excuses for myself and I try the best I can to turn a weakness into a potential strength like with my promotional skills. I treat this process as a learning curve and the greatest show for all that I have learned is if I become the next Apprentice having won against all these other incredible candidates.

[26/08/2014 03:14:12] ox o: David: Thank you for your fantastic answers Roxie

[26/08/2014 03:14:23] ox o: David: and best of luck in the boardroom.

[26/08/2014 03:14:32] Roxie: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me.

[26/08/2014 03:14:56] Roxie: Also if I could just add this in about using a recent NTA act of mine:

[26/08/2014 03:14:59] Roxie: Also I would disagree with what you are saying about Task 6 simply being about using a recent NTA act of mine for Eurovision. If that was simply the case then I doubt Lord Sugar would have awarded our team the win. You yourself commented that I performed incredibly well that task leading one of the most cohesive teams in DSA history. I did show quite profoundly a number of different qualities that task, good teamwork, good team leadership, good delegation, good organisation, an analytical approach, an ability to move out of my comfort zone and my targeted approach to tasks with my section on where we went wrong and how Hurts would turn the situation around (such as being popular in political voting blocs, having European-wide success, being associated with Kylie Minogue, having years of live experience thus being reliable, selling records in the modern music era etc). I researched online and did market research all by myself too that task to support our ideas which showed a lot of dedication and initiative. Sure I like Hurts and I said as much to my colleagues but I also said that never mattered nor should it matter. I am an objective person and will only support something I deem to be appropriate; Hurts was both a sensible choice (in their established European popularity etc – the reasons aforementioned) and a creative choice (in their unique style – even Lord Sugar said Hurts would not have been the first act he would have chosen for it but he could definitely see it working).”

_NiallDEE_

29-08-2014

Just realised I missed out the opening part of Naruto's interview with Carlisle Apologies for that! Here it is:

Quote:
“[23/08/2014 17:16:39] ox o: David: Good afternoon, Naruto.

[23/08/2014 17:16:51] Naruto Fan: Good afternoon David.

[23/08/2014 17:17:19] ox o: David: First of all, congratulations on making it to the final four!

[23/08/2014 17:17:30] Naruto Fan: Thank you very much.

[23/08/2014 17:17:37] ox o: David: You're no newcomer to the Digital Spy Apprentice and its format, but this is the furthest you have ever gotten before.

[23/08/2014 17:17:53] ox o: David: Why do you think you've done so much better this year? When, looking at last year you were the first to be fired.

[23/08/2014 17:20:15] Naruto Fan: I do feel that I have learnt from all the mistakes I have made previously and that I have also reinforced the good things that I have done in previous series. Both of these combined meant I was able to advance further as I vocalised my opinions more, was more assertive, and generally come up with some good ideas.

[23/08/2014 17:21:00] ox o: David: So you're saying you used your previous experience as an advantage whilst coming in to your third attempt at becoming The Apprentice?

[23/08/2014 17:22:32] Naruto Fan: Definitely. Not many of the other candidates have had two previous years of experience which they have been able to draw off so I feel I can maybe use this to give me a slight edge over them.

[23/08/2014 17:22:59] ox o: David: Great.

[23/08/2014 17:23:11] ox o: David: So this year, which of the tasks would you see as your shining moment throughout the process?

[23/08/2014 17:24:02] Naruto Fan: I would definitely say the previous task, which was to create a theme park.

[23/08/2014 17:24:43] ox o: David: Why?

[23/08/2014 17:27:29] Naruto Fan: Firstly, the central idea of Four Nature was a majority of my creativity which led to the team winning. I also had created the Rides which was a large sub - task. Secondly, I was the Project Manager so I was mainly in charge of everything and led the team to success.

[23/08/2014 17:28:38] ox o: David: I would actually agree with you. Having followed you multiple times throughout the process I would say that was your strongest task. I'd be interested in seeing, in a similar light, if you could explain to me which task was your weakest and why?

[23/08/2014 17:32:24] Naruto Fan: I would say the Eurovision task. Firstly, I did have some problems with my Skype which led me to not be as available as possible. But apart from that, I did feel a bit out of my comfort zone. I am not entirely knowledgeable about indie artists or singers, as I do tend to stick to mainstream pop, which we had decided we weren't going to do. Also, specifically writing about music is quite difficult for me as I can say, 'it sounds good', but writing about the tempo and pitch in a technical and professional way is quite new to me.

[23/08/2014 17:34:48] ox o: David: Interesting.

[23/08/2014 17:35:11] ox o: David: Throughout the process, you haven't done much wrong and that is why you're still here and have impressed Lord Sugar & his assistants.

[23/08/2014 17:35:33] ox o: David: However, whilst you may not have put too many feet wrong... it's also quite difficult to find a time when you actually did completely stand out.

[23/08/2014 17:35:49 | Edited 17:35:57] ox o: David: Would you agree that you have problems with standing out, or is that something you disagree with?

[23/08/2014 17:43:26] Naruto Fan: I do agree with it to an extent. Personally, I think it is the way I write. I tend to write quite robotic and monotonous, not conveying many emotion and passion but I am very passionate about this and am upset it doesn't come across. It may be just me, but I do find it hard to convey emotion through writing. Take Roxie for example, you can see how passionate and enthusiastic she is from her writing, and therefore she does stand out. It is really difficult for me to change this but I do see the point that is made. I just hope my actions in tasks can prove that I have the potential. Another example being in boardrooms, I do tend to just answer questions as straight as I can and avoid confrontation which is in my nature, but may come across as boring and not passionate, but it is who I am.”