The Apprentice

[CheekyChops]

Don't read if you don't want to know who won!!!

[CheekyChops]

Simon, flipping heck who would have thought it - I would have backed Kristina over him anyday!

I haven't actually seen it yet, unfortunately saw the result on BBC News so I know who won anyway now.

Simon has always seemed like a bit of a pillock to me, out of the 15(?) who started, I probably would have picked at least 7 to win before him.

What does eveyone else think?

[eleanswers]

I haven't watched this programme religiously but from the few episodes I saw I knew Simon would win. And I'm very glad he did. He's a nice guy.
Christina on the other hand maybe hard working & determined but she's ruthless & will do anything to get what she wants.
I don't want ruthless people in control of business & the economy, they just want your money for nothing. I don't like this show because it encourages people to be shrewd & full of **** if they want to be successful in business. I wish they would emforcise other qualities in contestants ie: customer service & value for money. What kind of people is this show breading?

[warpig3]

cheeky Chops i sat there in total disbelief when he said Simons name, as did mrwarpig, just cant believe it, it seems like a sham to me.

What did Sir alan want, someone who could think for themselves and operate independently or some pillock, who is no doubt intelligent to some degree, but just does not have what it takes.

Actually feel a little sick, just thinking that Sir Alan has friends and perhaps Simon's dad also has friends, just a thought, and would love to be proved wrong as Kristina should have been the winner in my opinion.

[warpig3]

eleanswwer, you have not seen all the episodes, yes Simon is a nice guy, but in this business I really dont think nice will cut it. Kristina showed over all the episodes her willingness to learn, leadership, loyalty, shrewness (without being too stab in the back) and savvy, she , in my opinion should have won, and she was deserving of it, imo.

[Suzyboo]

Simon has no leadership skills and I thought that last week's interviews showed that he hasn't actually got a successful track record in business and as for his boat idea -if it hadn't been for Rory, his building presentation would have been embarrassing. Definitely thought that Kristina had demonstrated more skills and should have been appointed. Then again, maybe my lack of vision regarding Simon's potential is why I'm not running a multi million pound company and Sir Alan is!

[SteveD]

As soon as the two of them sat down in the "boardroom", we assumed that Simon had won because, previously, a clip had been shown of Sir Alan looking and pointing to his right as he said, "You"re hired" and Simon was sat to Sir Alan's right.

[frankief]

Simon should have gone after the TV selling channel episode when he absolutely choked and seemed paralysed, unable to do anything. Naomi got fired even though she did nothing wrong!
He's a bumbling scatterbrain, who can't concentrate for two minutes.
This series for me posed interesting questions for our society about selling to children and using sex to sell. Only one contestant (the scientist) was brave enough to acknowledge this.
BTW has Kristina changed her name to be more trendy and modern (has she?). Someone born 36 years ago in Catholic Ireland would surely have the christian name of 'Christina'.

[nat_84]

Simple bloody SImon - who would've thought it...

frankief is right - he shouldnt even be there after that display on TV! Naomi went for no solid reason and it was really unfair...maybe he just didnt want an all female final (especially after MIchelle's stint at his company).

He is like a little kid, very immature, very giggly and just doesnt have the businessman sense about him.

I feel for Kristina because even she knew she was the better candidate.

ANyone watch the YOU'RE HIRED on BBC2? Good ol' Katie took a good old slating again. SHe was sat in the audience and the cringinley (?!) played clips of her slating Kristina. Kristina said she feels sorry for her so woudltn want to comment (in a "i pity you "sense) and Sir Alan said had he known she was talking like that about people and being soooo horribly he wouldnt have offered her a place in the final in a million years (not sure whether thats totally true!) and he said he doesnt think anyone should employ her and that there is no need for her to be like that!
She replied, something like "the evil patomine character always lives on....." silly moo.

[Surreylass]

Hilarious decision by Sir Alan. He is going to have to hold his hand through everything. Can you imagine Simon holding his own in a corporate scenario with other project managers earning six figure salaries. they will laugh him out of there.

its a joke. he is a clown!

Kristina is polished and could be given a job and get it done. thats what he needs.

crazy end to a good programme

[galltin]

Terrible decision. Kristina was far and away the better candidate. Very surprising.

[Leight0n]

How can we all judge on what we saw on TV. Almost everyone who has posted have said that he's an idiot and alan sugar is going to have to hold his hand etc etc.

For some reason, I think Alan Sugar knew what he wanted in an apprentice and knows what he is taking on.

[CheekyChops]

Well I read somewhere that both finalists have been working for Sir Alan for the last six months as a kind of 'trial' and the decision made in the final was partly based on how they performed in that time. Obviously Simon must have performed quite well

This is from the BBC's website:

There's time and then there's TV time. "One of the first things that we tell them is 'Look, you're gonna be away from home for 12 weeks'," Sir Alan said when Ifti claimed to be off-form because he was missing his family. But filming takes about two months. And the final two work for Sir Alan before he decides who stays and who goes. Former runner-up Saira Khan has criticised the show because "the final decision is not based on the programme that people see, his final decision is based on these two people who have been working with him for the six months".

[eyeshade]

Quite simply Sir Alan must be frightened of women! That's all I can say.
Simon is a whimp, I have more leadership skills than he does. He was a complete nonse (mind you what a twit he was on the trampoline bit!!)
Perhaps the 3 fig salary he is going to get is �7.50 an hour as posh tea boy? I would certainly employ Christina, yes she had to be ruthless as the pouting ogre was doing her best to diss her the whole time and get people against her.
The other good thing about Christina, when she knew people were against her, it didn't stop her from carrying on, she still communicated and was professional. Without Trey, Simon was pathetic!

[CheekyChops]

Wow - how has my question jumped to the top again? It wasn't at the top yesterday!!

[Pirate1]

Kristina should have won. I believe she will do better for herself having come second. Last years second - Badger - seems to be doing fine with her own show on television. Anyway, did they know they would be training to be a chartered surveyor from the outset? It somehow doesn't seem to be the type of job I thought was on offer. Good luck Kristina I'm sure you'll do fine.

[frankief]

We saw it on the TV selling episode and one day it will happen whilst Simon is giving a presentation to important clients. He will freeze and start babbling his little boy nonsense, and it's not a game anymore and Sir Alan will not be amused! Totally wrong choice this year, mind you last years winner wasn't much better.