According to the Telegraph, the hit TV series, The Apprentice, is being blamed for lowering the desire for young people to start their own businesses. The UK version of the show is aired on BBC and has Alan Sugar as its star instead of Donald Trump here in North America.
Apparently only four percent of young people in the UK want to become entrepreneurs and some feel that “The Apprentice accentuates a blame culture which doesn’t inspire young people to see the workplace as a positive and constructive environment but rather a place which fosters dispute, aggression and unhealthy competition.”
I have never seen the UK version of the show but am a big fan of the American one. In the first season I used to have Apprentice parties and fill my living room with up to 20 young entrepreneurs to watch the episodes and guess who would get fired (note – watching the Apprentice is always more fun in groups!). Things are a little busier now so I cannot commit to every show but I try to open up my Sunday evenings to tune in.
I have always found the show interesting and exciting. I think about what I would do on the tasks, how I would enjoy the rewards, and how I would position myself in the board room. Sure it is entertainment but there is also a business component to it. If anything it gets me even more excited to get back to my business and continue growing.
How do you feel? Does the Apprentice discourage you from moving forward with your business?
Evan Carmichael.
