The Apprentice, LA

Does anyone still watch the Apprentice? I recently just got back into it and I must say, I'm hooked. Below are my thoughts on the final four candidates:

James (Internet Company Founder/CEO)
James Sun is the man. He's smart, dedicated and presents well. Obviously a favorite of The Donald (you can tell by the way he always consults James on who should get fired, or who screwed up, etc.), I think he has a very good chance at becoming the next Apprentice. Although his team lost the last project on which he was Project Manager, he was able to defend himself well in the boardroom and stay in the game. James started the company Zoodango, a professional networking website, which I've joined.

Stefani (Attorney)

Besides the fact that she's a hottie? She's also one of the most focused in the group and is simply able to get things done. She's level-headed and is a solid presenter (as evidenced by her performance in the last episode, where her and James dominated as partners). Stefani is, in my opinion right up there with James as far as chances of becoming the next Apprentice.



Frank (Owner/CEO, Contracting Company)

Frank has a lot to say but frankly (no pun intended), most of it isn't worth listening to (which his teammates are quickly discovering). Yes, he's tenacious and can probably manage a crew of construction contractors effectively, but tenacity and people-management skills alone won't prevent this guy from getting canned. He hasn't shown much leadership ability thus far and lacks the professional sophistication to manage an operational behemoth that is (and will be) any Trump real estate venture. Moreover, he tanked the last project and didn't take any ownership in the failure (and directed most of it at Heidi, his partner who got fired).

Nicole (Owner, Real Estate Company)
I'll come right out and say it; Nicole should have been fired after her shoddy presentation and lack of preparation during the last episode. She owns a real estate company, yet she left most of the work on a real estate marketing project to be done by her attorney partner, Kristine (who was fired instead of Nicole for putting the wrong phone number on their marketing brochure). Don't forget the fact that she slept while Kristine did most of the work on that particular project. It's becoming increasingly obvious that Nicole has made it this far by piggybacking off of the strategic thinking and hard work of her peers. She is also overly emotional and lacks resolve and professionalism. If she is not fired in the next round, I will be very surprised (as well as annoyed).

Heidi (Nat'l/Int'l Sales Manager)
Heidi was fired in the last episode and is not in the final four, but in my opinion, she shouldn't have been fired. Yes, she completely bombed her presentation and defended herself poorly in the boardroom, but she should not have been fired before Nicole. Heidi project-managed the previous assignment (creating an insert for the LA Times) exceptionally, which shows that she's capable of effectively managing a team and producing quality work. It also seems as though she possesses a high level of professional integrity.


We'll see how it unfolds. Geez, Sunday night already. Have a great week everyone.