He's a mysoginistic arsehole, and is therefore great TV. Before he leaves I need Karren to annihilate him in the boardroom.
James has the potential to turn off viewers - he needs to go ASAP!
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Originally Posted by slouchingthatch:
“He is a liability, but while he does love to make a deal at least he does deliver - which is more than Daniel has managed so far. (I mean, that jumper pitch on task 2 ...)
He wasn't particularly pleasant last night, but he did deserve credit for leading the team to a convincing victory.
And he is a closer. When he's allowed to focus on sales rather than profit and told to shift gear, he can be quite good. But he's definitely an autocratic leader and he's definitely not a follower.
(Incidentally, Solomon has been quietly impressive selling on many tasks too - how he swung that deal with Waterstones after the exclusivity fiasco, I have no idea.)”
“He is a liability, but while he does love to make a deal at least he does deliver - which is more than Daniel has managed so far. (I mean, that jumper pitch on task 2 ...)
He wasn't particularly pleasant last night, but he did deserve credit for leading the team to a convincing victory.
And he is a closer. When he's allowed to focus on sales rather than profit and told to shift gear, he can be quite good. But he's definitely an autocratic leader and he's definitely not a follower.
(Incidentally, Solomon has been quietly impressive selling on many tasks too - how he swung that deal with Waterstones after the exclusivity fiasco, I have no idea.)”
I don't think he delivers at all. I think he keeps himself busier and is higher profile than most but that doesn't mean his 'delivery' is effective. This week the game idea was Roisin's and she was the creative impetus. That was key to their success. James didnt even understand his own product. I think had the other team had a better product, James would have lost because outside of the postcode discount, he was pretty terrible as a leader, and he once again sold his product cheaply. IMO James won by default.
His selling decisions in previous tasks have been terrible and his style is of a market trader regardless of his audience, which limits him to a specific type of product and demographic. He lost them the candle task IMO by dramatically reducing the margin before they were even in that desperate 'fire sale' place that happens at the end of a task. Yes, Roisin gave them flexibility but she also gave them a target price and he arbitrarily and without necessity went way under.
The week before he did the same thing, sold a bunch at such a knockdown price that even a child could have sold it.
As for closing a deal....it's very easy to close a deal when you're giving the buyer a good price. Look at this week, for example...the buyer tries to knock him down, Roisin suggests they meet in the middle, he shuts her up and then closes far below his target price. That's not closing, it's caving in.
He has poor negotiation skills...negotiation involves timing, charm, mirroring, compromise and assertiveness, understanding the customer and the value of your offering. It's not repeating yourself, being pushy then eventually conceding defeat which is what James usually does (while his teammate looks on appalled).
So if the argument is that his saving grace is sales, I'd contest that strongly.
And he's been an embarrassment whenever the task involves PR, professionalism and interaction with the public. Sugar has rightly pulled him up for being a clown.
Originally Posted by Scarlet O'Hara:
“I don't think he delivers at all. I think he keeps himself busier and is higher profile than most but that doesn't mean his 'delivery' is effective. This week the game idea was Roisin's and she was the creative impetus. That was key to their success. James didnt even understand his own product. I think had the other team had a better product, James would have lost because outside of the postcode discount, he was pretty terrible as a leader, and he once again sold his product cheaply. IMO James won by default.
His selling decisions in previous tasks have been terrible and his style is of a market trader regardless of his audience, which limits him to a specific type of product and demographic. He lost them the candle task IMO by dramatically reducing the margin before they were even in that desperate 'fire sale' place that happens at the end of a task. Yes, Roisin gave them flexibility but she also gave them a target price and he arbitrarily and without necessity went way under.
The week before he did the same thing, sold a bunch at such a knockdown price that even a child could have sold it.
As for closing a deal....it's very easy to close a deal when you're giving the buyer a good price. Look at this week, for example...the buyer tries to knock him down, Roisin suggests they meet in the middle, he shuts her up and then closes far below his target price. That's not closing, it's caving in.
He has poor negotiation skills...negotiation involves timing, charm, mirroring, compromise and assertiveness, understanding the customer and the value of your offering. It's not repeating yourself, being pushy then eventually conceding defeat which is what James usually does (while his teammate looks on appalled).
So if the argument is that his saving grace is sales, I'd contest that strongly.
And he's been an embarrassment whenever the task involves PR, professionalism and interaction with the public. Sugar has rightly pulled him up for being a clown.”
“I don't think he delivers at all. I think he keeps himself busier and is higher profile than most but that doesn't mean his 'delivery' is effective. This week the game idea was Roisin's and she was the creative impetus. That was key to their success. James didnt even understand his own product. I think had the other team had a better product, James would have lost because outside of the postcode discount, he was pretty terrible as a leader, and he once again sold his product cheaply. IMO James won by default.
His selling decisions in previous tasks have been terrible and his style is of a market trader regardless of his audience, which limits him to a specific type of product and demographic. He lost them the candle task IMO by dramatically reducing the margin before they were even in that desperate 'fire sale' place that happens at the end of a task. Yes, Roisin gave them flexibility but she also gave them a target price and he arbitrarily and without necessity went way under.
The week before he did the same thing, sold a bunch at such a knockdown price that even a child could have sold it.
As for closing a deal....it's very easy to close a deal when you're giving the buyer a good price. Look at this week, for example...the buyer tries to knock him down, Roisin suggests they meet in the middle, he shuts her up and then closes far below his target price. That's not closing, it's caving in.
He has poor negotiation skills...negotiation involves timing, charm, mirroring, compromise and assertiveness, understanding the customer and the value of your offering. It's not repeating yourself, being pushy then eventually conceding defeat which is what James usually does (while his teammate looks on appalled).
So if the argument is that his saving grace is sales, I'd contest that strongly.
And he's been an embarrassment whenever the task involves PR, professionalism and interaction with the public. Sugar has rightly pulled him up for being a clown.”
I cannot argue with any of the above, nor want to. James is an attention seeker to such a degree that he does not realise that he is the truly delusion one in this series, seriously has anyone ever told this guy he is wrong? No doubt they have tried but he won't listen and probably never will. I am torn here, I want him to go because he is not deserving of a place in the show but part of me wants to see him come up against Claude & Co at the interview stage, if he gets to that stage this will have to be the series when Claude would be well advised to have a bodyguard in the room with him when he interviews James
Originally Posted by Venetian:
“I cannot argue with any of the above, nor want to. James is an attention seeker to such a degree that he does not realise that he is the truly delusion one in this series, seriously has anyone ever told this guy he is wrong? No doubt they have tried but he won't listen and probably never will. I am torn here, I want him to go because he is not deserving of a place in the show but part of me wants to see him come up against Claude & Co at the interview stage, if he gets to that stage this will have to be the series when Claude would be well advised to have a bodyguard in the room with him when he interviews James”
“I cannot argue with any of the above, nor want to. James is an attention seeker to such a degree that he does not realise that he is the truly delusion one in this series, seriously has anyone ever told this guy he is wrong? No doubt they have tried but he won't listen and probably never will. I am torn here, I want him to go because he is not deserving of a place in the show but part of me wants to see him come up against Claude & Co at the interview stage, if he gets to that stage this will have to be the series when Claude would be well advised to have a bodyguard in the room with him when he interviews James
”
Maybe he'll somehow get to the interviews and do a Ricky Martin - have an amazing business plan and Claude will be really impressed by him! That would be a turnaround...
Originally Posted by Scarlet O'Hara:
“I don't think he delivers at all. I think he keeps himself busier and is higher profile than most but that doesn't mean his 'delivery' is effective. This week the game idea was Roisin's and she was the creative impetus. That was key to their success. James didnt even understand his own product. I think had the other team had a better product, James would have lost because outside of the postcode discount, he was pretty terrible as a leader, and he once again sold his product cheaply. IMO James won by default.
His selling decisions in previous tasks have been terrible and his style is of a market trader regardless of his audience, which limits him to a specific type of product and demographic. He lost them the candle task IMO by dramatically reducing the margin before they were even in that desperate 'fire sale' place that happens at the end of a task. Yes, Roisin gave them flexibility but she also gave them a target price and he arbitrarily and without necessity went way under.
The week before he did the same thing, sold a bunch at such a knockdown price that even a child could have sold it.
As for closing a deal....it's very easy to close a deal when you're giving the buyer a good price. Look at this week, for example...the buyer tries to knock him down, Roisin suggests they meet in the middle, he shuts her up and then closes far below his target price. That's not closing, it's caving in.
He has poor negotiation skills...negotiation involves timing, charm, mirroring, compromise and assertiveness, understanding the customer and the value of your offering. It's not repeating yourself, being pushy then eventually conceding defeat which is what James usually does (while his teammate looks on appalled).
So if the argument is that his saving grace is sales, I'd contest that strongly.
And he's been an embarrassment whenever the task involves PR, professionalism and interaction with the public. Sugar has rightly pulled him up for being a clown.”
“I don't think he delivers at all. I think he keeps himself busier and is higher profile than most but that doesn't mean his 'delivery' is effective. This week the game idea was Roisin's and she was the creative impetus. That was key to their success. James didnt even understand his own product. I think had the other team had a better product, James would have lost because outside of the postcode discount, he was pretty terrible as a leader, and he once again sold his product cheaply. IMO James won by default.
His selling decisions in previous tasks have been terrible and his style is of a market trader regardless of his audience, which limits him to a specific type of product and demographic. He lost them the candle task IMO by dramatically reducing the margin before they were even in that desperate 'fire sale' place that happens at the end of a task. Yes, Roisin gave them flexibility but she also gave them a target price and he arbitrarily and without necessity went way under.
The week before he did the same thing, sold a bunch at such a knockdown price that even a child could have sold it.
As for closing a deal....it's very easy to close a deal when you're giving the buyer a good price. Look at this week, for example...the buyer tries to knock him down, Roisin suggests they meet in the middle, he shuts her up and then closes far below his target price. That's not closing, it's caving in.
He has poor negotiation skills...negotiation involves timing, charm, mirroring, compromise and assertiveness, understanding the customer and the value of your offering. It's not repeating yourself, being pushy then eventually conceding defeat which is what James usually does (while his teammate looks on appalled).
So if the argument is that his saving grace is sales, I'd contest that strongly.
And he's been an embarrassment whenever the task involves PR, professionalism and interaction with the public. Sugar has rightly pulled him up for being a clown.”
Don't get me wrong, I don't think James is any kind of super-salesman. He's certainly an odious oik who sacrifices profit for sales. But then this task wasn't about profit. He *is* a deal-maker though, very much in a market trader mould. That's not particularly sophisticated selling, but it *is* a form of selling that not everyone can do - Daniel being a case in point, and even Noorun struggled despite being a market trader herself.
The most impressive deal James closed was the final one. In Westminster, so hampered by Bianca's exclusivity deal. (And he himself deserves credit for offering the first exclusivity deal.) A tough negotiation, with the buyer probably aware he was trying to offload the last of his stock. (I mean, 31 units is very specific!) But he stood his ground and ended up at a good price.
And although his Toys R Us deal wasn't great, he did expressly say going in he would use it to test the market. He could have been stubborn and stuck to £10 for the rest of the day under the guise of wanting to ensure they sold out. But he was wise enough to admit he'd got it wrong, follow Sanjay's lead and bump up the price. An obvious decision, yes, but I'm not sure every other candidate would have swallowed their pride enough to follow suit.
So I don't have any qualms about saying that he is good at this kind of selling. Can he do a more technical, business-to-business, key account management type of sell where you're trying to sell thousands of units rather than a few? Absolutely not.
But who's a better salesperson in this year's crop? Mark, yes. (He's sold/negotiated consistently well, much though I dislike him.) But perhaps the best seller of all is Solomon. He's understated about it, but he sold a difficult deal to Waterstones (you can't sell in your flagship store!) and he was effective selling coach tour tickets last week too.
I just wish that he would shut up occasionally - I know it's edited but that just makes me wonder how much of his hot air they cut out!
He's a typical young know it all lad who thinks he knows what he's doing but has no real clue. Even when he gets fired he still won't "get it".
Originally Posted by Eve Elle:
“Not a fan, felt he was overly aggressive towards Jemma on the last task and that he has little to no business acumen.”
“Not a fan, felt he was overly aggressive towards Jemma on the last task and that he has little to no business acumen.”
I can't see why they allowed him on the show in the first place tbh . He has apparently got two of convictions for aggravated assault and got a suspended jail sentence for one of them . Surely he's a risk ? Do the others know about his history and violent tendences ?
What if he assaults someone seriously ?
Originally Posted by Alexis07:
“I can't see why they allowed him on the show in the first place tbh . He has apparently got two of convictions for aggravated assault and got a suspended jail sentence for one of them . Surely he's a risk ? Do the others know about his history and violent tendences ?
What if he assaults someone seriously ?”
“I can't see why they allowed him on the show in the first place tbh . He has apparently got two of convictions for aggravated assault and got a suspended jail sentence for one of them . Surely he's a risk ? Do the others know about his history and violent tendences ?
What if he assaults someone seriously ?”
Joanna had a conviction for a similar thing as well, and she was one of the most popular candidates that series.
I had somehow managed to forget about James and was planning to watch The Apprentice tonight in preference to two other shows that also interest me (Great Continental Railway Journeys and I'm a Celebrity).
Fortunately, I saw this thread just in time.
Fortunately, I saw this thread just in time.
Since Lauren is on "You're Fired", it looks like James has escaped again. 
It also looks like Mark may be another big turn-off.
It also looks like Mark may be another big turn-off.
For entertainment's sake I want him on the interview show. For fork's sake I want him to be sacked soon because he is all swagger, no substance and just wants to be a reality TV celeb.
I think he'd do well on Big Brother. Seriously if reports are true...what did Lauren see in him? He's just got a very big mouth.
I think they're setting him up for a major fall - either in a task or at the interview stage when his BS will be blown to bits. He has absolutely no chance of winning, he's only still there as a hate figure, so there has to be a pay off.
Originally Posted by pjw1985:
“He is the cocky young man that Sugar can't find it in himself to fire because he's been deliberately kept in for entertainment value. ”
“He is the cocky young man that Sugar can't find it in himself to fire because he's been deliberately kept in for entertainment value. ”
Fixed that for you
Originally Posted by jaycee331:
“Fixed that for you”
“Fixed that for you
”
James has no "entertainment value" to me whatsoever.
How did annoying irritants ever come to be seen as "entertaining"?
He's an annoying twerp. Lord Sugar is just toying with him for a week or two. No way would he want to work with this twit.
He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .
Originally Posted by len112:
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
Maybe not that far
Originally Posted by len112:
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
He won't get a suspended sentence next time, and I bet they'll just love his pearly white teeth and blow dried armpits on E Wing.
Originally Posted by len112:
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
“He's the kind of X factor , Towie type wannabe with overwhitened teeth that everyone seems to aspire to be nowadays , Even Sir Alan seems to like him , he'll go far .”
That Sugar saw something in him shows how the emailer was born.
Can't believe the way Nick was kissing his arse on You're Fired.
He behaved appallingly, treated Roisin like crap, was completely unprofessional and didn't tell his team the truth. He knew he was in the wrong and was still going on about trying to 'protect' his team. Yeah right! Glad Dara called him out on that.
I'm very surprised the female entrepreneur didn't take him to task for his treatment of Roisin. He talked her round in the end and she fell for it!
He behaved appallingly, treated Roisin like crap, was completely unprofessional and didn't tell his team the truth. He knew he was in the wrong and was still going on about trying to 'protect' his team. Yeah right! Glad Dara called him out on that.
I'm very surprised the female entrepreneur didn't take him to task for his treatment of Roisin. He talked her round in the end and she fell for it!
A thoroughly deserved firing tonight. I too was annoyed by Nick's praise of this idiot. Although it's not the first time that Nick's got it wrong and been duped by someone's superficial image. I don't think he's the most perceptive of people, despite the gimlet eyes look.
James has no capacity whatsoever to listen ( because listening involves a degree of thinking), he is aggressive and patronising with zero management skills, a borderline misogynist, has no attention to detail and cannot master a brief, therefore will never be a top salesman. His behaviour tonight showed how he can become aggressive very quickly and it's now clear why he's got assault convictions. Imagine that swaggering attitude in a bar after a few pints.
He's deeply lacking in ability and demonstrates to me the sad truth that in this series he was included only for entertainment value. I've always argued against people who made that claim before but I can't see any other reason.
James has no capacity whatsoever to listen ( because listening involves a degree of thinking), he is aggressive and patronising with zero management skills, a borderline misogynist, has no attention to detail and cannot master a brief, therefore will never be a top salesman. His behaviour tonight showed how he can become aggressive very quickly and it's now clear why he's got assault convictions. Imagine that swaggering attitude in a bar after a few pints.
He's deeply lacking in ability and demonstrates to me the sad truth that in this series he was included only for entertainment value. I've always argued against people who made that claim before but I can't see any other reason.
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