I’m off to mourn Breffny

Posted in Latest News, Nicky's Blog by Nicky on November 17th, 2009

Can we take a moments silence to commemorate the end of an Apprentice legend……The Breffmeister Like many I was gutted to see him go and I know there will be a slight emptiness watching the show next week. No Breffism’s to laugh at which have been a major conversation point anywhere I have been since the start of the show. Deep down I knew he did not have further to go and I stand by my comment that he needs more corporate experience before taking on such a senior role. Even saying that no-one can deny how entertaining he was, what a genuine character he came across as and he absolutely has potential, sure it’s in his brain waiting to come out! I wanted to hug Breff in the car, he looked gutted! Being the focal part of the show this year, his 25,000 Facebook fans and an enthusiasm that would put the word enthusiasm to shame means it is not the end for Breffny. We hope! If all else fails he’ll have the rowing

I enjoyed this episode, up until now it has been mainly marketing and advertising tasks, in sales tasks contestants have to rely on one tool, themselves! I know how frustrating this kind of task can be. Getting in the door is the hardest and like all sales jobs it is swings and roundabouts, good days and bad. If you are on a roll then your confidence soars and sales happen but if the opposite it can be soul destroying and effect your performance. Steve was a perfect example, he did brilliantly and so impressive. Yes his background is sales but he utilised his skills to the fullest, did not crumble under pressure. He had the professional ability to persuade business’s to meet with him, knew his product, knew his numbers and adapted his experience in negotiating with confidence. He impressed Bill and has stepped forward as a major competitor. I was surprised by Stephen, maybe the pressure of cold calling just brought out the worst in him. Cold calling is often about knowing the client and adapting your personality so they warm to you. If they have confidence in you, they have confidence in your product. Hairdressers….no comment!

I was quite surprised by Geraldine’s performance as well, I can’t decide what happened. Did the pressure of having to perform just get too much? Was she distracted by Aoiffe and Breffny? Or was it just bad luck not getting in the door? I think it is unfair to say she set Breffny up. He had not given her confidence throughout the day and she knew her team needed that sale so she did what she thought was right but wanted to protect Breff so gave him the sale. It does make me laugh how they both said “there’ll be nothing more said” etc…….it’s on national TV!? I find watching Aoiffe and Geraldine interact quite uncomfortable and to be honest they are both in it. Who called who? She text me? She said this? bla bla bla, were they in a boardroom or playground? I choose not to make a comment on this episode, who was to blame, though everyone is jumping on the anti Aoiffe bandwagon, it’s not always black and white. I think it was slightly unfair for Breffny and Geraldine to say Aoiffe lied on purpose and was a liar, I really do not believe this. Yes Aoiffe made a huge mistake offering sale or return but I think it was a rookie error, lack of experience. She absolutely should have known to check this and I thought she was going to do this so what happened? Never take a risk like that; she should have known better but purposely lying, I don’t think so.

Breffny was brilliant on You’re Fired, seemed to have everyone including the steel man Brendan O’Connor eating out of his hand. He oozes likeability and is naturally so funny. His present to Brendan of CV and hire Breffny email just represented what Breffny is about! I was shocked to see an unseen clip of Breffny suggesting to the girls to target sports clubs and associations…….they were totally ignoring him!! That is exactly where they should have been approaching…..Breff is always the man with the right idea’s and an experience like the Apprentice will give him certainty on what he needs to work at and improve, which often take’s years for people to realise. The Apprentice offered more to Breffny then he could offer to the job but it is a platform of opportunity from this day on. I will miss watching him but wish him the very best of luck!

I’m off to mourn Chat again later in the week

Nicky