The Apprentice reviewed by a career coach: Nick channels Alan Partridge on a Welsh break

This week the teams on The Apprentice were competing to see who could run the most successful guided tour in North Wales.

Stephanie Affleck’s team were focused less on “customer satisfaction” and more on “customer deprivation”.

Firstly, disorientate them by taking them on a train far from home. Secondly get them cold and wet using the pretence of an outdoor watercolour masterclass. Then force them to stay awake during Sophie Wilding’s torturous whisky demonstration so that, depressed and tired, they feel compelled to buy overpriced booze hampers to drown the sorrows of the day.

No doubt those bottles were opened before the mini-bus even left the car park.

Kathryn Burn’s tactics were similar but her team was at least more energised and fun. Get the adrenalin going with the zip-wire, chill them out with a mine tour, and then tease the hungry punters with Amy Anzel’s wafts of cheese and tiny snifters of whisky, so the hampers seem irresistible.

Whole wheels of cheese were probably scoffed on the way home.

Nick’s sheep facts

Nick Showering had some interesting character developments during this episode. In the negotiations with a tough supplier he turned all maiden aunt clutching her pearls with an “oh deary me, I’m just a little lady” tone. I can’t remember that strategy in any sales training books.

On the train, he was more Alan Partridge: “Farming is important….sheep…. it’s rocky….adventurous…” telling the punters to look out at the lovely countryside just as their view was obscured by two huge tractors rumbling past.

Any moment he could have started shouting “Dan…Dan….”

Akshay Thakrar may have been on the winning team this week but he still looks vulnerable.

Sophie also needs to find her spark. Intimidated by a nice group of ladies in an office who she felt were becoming “angry”, she knocked down her prices in a bid to escape the room. As a cocktail bar owner, we expected her to be in her element hosting a whisky testing session, but she approached it with the trepidation of someone experimenting with nuclear fission.

Meanwhile Aaron Willis, who seems a nice enough guy, still has to show that he has either the all round business skills or even a deep talent in one, that can put him ahead of the competition.

Harpreet v Karren

Kathryn’s team ended up in the Boardroom. Best defence was from Harpreet Kaur.

When Karren Brady commented that it seemed as if Harpreet had gone into self-isolation this week, she responded with a “I’m sorry you felt that way Karren” in a tone which said “you’re wrong but I feel sorry for you and I forgive you”. Well played Harpreet.

But it was Amy would said farewell this week. She didn’t want Lord Sugar to think that her calm and collected nature meant that she didn’t care, but I think we’ve all probably clocked that Amy’s heart lies more in the business they call “show”.

For her, it’s job done! It’s been tough to get a gig during the pandemic, but her agent is now returning her calls and we can expect to see her in panto this Christmas.

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