OKAY - I admit it - I am addicted to watching The Apprentice.

For those of you who didn’t see last week’s episode - the task was to create a couple of cosmetics/skincare products from scratch - and they actually filmed the production/development, here in Poole. Of course, I was more interested in the task than normal because of my cosmetics background - but as always it was compelling viewing.

The clue, as always, is in the title - “blah blah blah… and the team who makes the most profit will win“…… In this episode, one team produced two beautiful products and managed to sell out within the allotted time - and the other team, led by someone who can only be described as a moron, produced two awful products and struggled to sell them - even at £1 each - or at the very end £1 for 2.

Unbelievably, the “moron” won….. and although, he should have been at receiving end of those immortal words, “You’re Fired” - he escaped and the team leader of the first team took the walk of shame.

Why? It all came down to the costs.

The “You’re Fired” team leader made a fundamental error (well actually she made a few - but I would be here for days if we talked about them all) - she didn’t double check the cost of her raw materials - she not only chose an oil which “she liked” without checking its cost per kilo, she also made a mistake in her calculations - allowing only £5 - when the true cost was nearer £750. This mistake was picked up by Sir Alan’s aide, Nick, at the end of the development day and it was too late to rectify the formulation - but it wasn’t too late to implement other changes - such as increasing the retail price and focussing on the benefits of including Sandalwood oil.

Had she had her fingers on the pulse of all the necessary disciplines in her business - she could have easily won this task. Business is like Spagetti Junction interchange in Birmingham - everything is interlinked and dependent on each other - so if you do make mistakes (which we all do), then react and rectify as quickly as possible - all may not be lost.

Watch The Apprentice (in a whole new dimension) on Youtube here.

1.  Getting your costings right is possibly the most fundamental principal of all businesses. We survive by making money and unless you cost correctly in the first place, it simply will not happen.
2.   Make decisions from a commercial standpoint - what you “like” is often disastrous.
3.   Never miss another episode - even 12 incompetent “business leaders of the future” will teach you something - even if it is…. something not to do.

On Friday evening, in preparation for a speaking engagement for Success Track, I travelled to London. As the Event was in WC1 - I booked a hotel through a central booking number in the same postcode and I was assured that there was parking closeby. Indeed the TomTom took me straight to the carpark but I had absolutely no idea where the hotel was.

I rang 118118 and they put me through to the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in WC1 and one of the most delightful Concierges you could ever wish to meet - offered to meet me at the carpark and walk me to the hotel. Everything was perfect as far as I was concerned and I even had my bags carried for me and a personal escort!

When we arrived - I was asked for my name and it was immediately apparent that I was in the wrong hotel! Although part of the same group, the hotel I had booked into was over the road. Did Mr Concierge even bat an eyelid? No! He simply picked up my luggage and walked me over the road and proceeded to check me in. Did I feel silly? Yes! Completely

His attitude throughout was to be admired - even when he realised that he hadn’t even been helping one of his guests - he remained helpful and courteous and nothing was too much trouble

He was clearly passionate about ensuring the guests of the entire Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group enjoyed their stay, not just those within his remit. An excellent ambassador indeed. And, yes, he definitely has the P Factor!

Passion is not something which can be taught - or insisted upon - it is something which needs to come from within - and yet, as far as I am concerned, Passion Produces Performance.

Passion needs to shine throughout and be present in everything we undertake:

• Passionate in what we do
• Passionate in why we are doing it
• Passionate to be the best and willing to learn
• Passonate for working hard
• Passionate about the people around us
• Passionate about finding solutions

1. Putting Customers first - regardless of whether they are in the right or wrong - is one important way to develop your business - if not, the most important way.
2. Embrace Passion and apply it to everything you say and do - results will be immediate
3. Don’t believe that 118118 supply you with the right number everytime. They clearly don’t!