This was the standard product design and marketing task, which Lord Sugar uses to see if people have got a "Bladdy clue". Team logic was "Bromanagement" at its worst. Spaniel Vince followed with a look of shiny-eyed canine fealty as big Alsatian Jim barked "Everydog", and stared down anyone who dared challenge. This was a bad idea, hardly discussed. Said clever, diffident, little setter Thomas: "I don't know if it will work, there's no niche, let’s look at the research."Alas, he said it in a voice only dogs could hear. Ellie the Yorkshire terrier just fetched the slippers albeit with a scowl. These were the top dogs and they would show that the entire market was wrong. They would carry out a radical repositioning of consumers to their idea of a generic pet food. Vince became Professor of Bloody Obvious Marketing having discovered the 4 P's apparently. What that really stands for in this context is 'Pals Promote Pals Plans'.
The cats in Team Venture got the cream despite having one of the worst pitches ever, as dull Leon tried to do a faux Hugh Grant through his presentation. That said, the creative process overseen by Glenn, (which is actually a very common doggie name in Scotland and Ireland), went reasonably well. He didn't shut it down entirely, but he took a strong view that he knew best. With his design expertise, he was able to help design a really good product, and he had a decent marketing proposition for fat cats and their owners. The other ideas weren't as good so he did what he needed to do. Glenn was like a pleasant but powerful collie. Happy to round everyone up but to bite them on the bum if he needed to. Clunky taglines - "See their light" - isn’t even the correct grammar, and a fondness for puns plus an obsession with the creative hook of Cats-eyes could have let them down but didn't. Lord Sugar picked their plan and they had a good feline as they swapped backhands with Pat Cash.
Keep questioning and be assertive not aggressive.
In the boardroom Ellie was given a lesson for not doing much, and not putting herself forward for a biscuit, which is fair comment. She has been a big letdown. Vince, well he was always fair game when he let snarling Jim go. But he knew he was going to be put to sleep by the Chief Dog Warden anyway. Big snarling Alsatian Jim deployed his fangs and got away. Vince and Ellie trotted off. Lessons to be drawn in further blogs. But here is one: don’t let affection and regard for a colleague turn into blind obedience. Always question. When powerful personalities try to shout/shut down debate, keep questioning and be assertive not aggressive. That’s why you need something of a written plan otherwise it just gets messy and the biggest dog, or slinkiest cat gets their way. Assertiveness and courage to challenge are critical skills.
Meanwhile big Alsatian Jim was back in the house snarling at no impact Gnashertasha. Sorry, these pet puns go on and on. But it’s clear that whilst loyalty can be a bonus, too much reliance on pals can mean that supporting your pedigree chum will get you fired. The other, going with an idea even if it’s not purrrfect, can at least get you there. Backing Melody and Glenn now.
'keep questioning and be assertive not aggressive' - A very important point that if often, as show in this programme, forgotten.
Nodding along like a churchill dog until reaching the board room has not proved a useful tactic and doesn't in the working environment today.
Speak up early, if not accept the consequences of silence.
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