‘The Apprentice’ Week 7 saw the shock premature firing of Karthik Nagesan, after what Lord Sugar generously described as a “diabolical” effort as project manager.
Despite his prowess at “project managing the conception of my baby boy”, Karthik was not quite up to the task of leading this mission to shift boating and leisure industry products.
The end result for his Team Titans was £188 in sales, a mere £42,000 less than their rivals Team Nebula.
Lord Sugar didn’t even wait for him to choose two colleagues to come back in with him. He told Karthik, “There is no excuse, you have been a diabolical project manager - I don’t trust you to bring anybody back into this boardroom. Karthik you’re fired!”How shocking? Alana’s face took on a whole new expression.
Clearly, the main question must be... how did Karthik ever make it this far? However, the show will be all the poorer without him.
Other posers that come to mind...
Why did Karthik put Samuel on low-end goods, despite Samuel’s experience in high-end marketing? This crackpot decision turned out to be terminal for both of them. Could Claude Littner have looked any more impressed with Grainne’s questions about the jet-ski?
Or approving when she got the yes-vote from the vendor?
Or disappointed when she and Courtney forgot to sell it to anyone?
What happened to Sofiane’s ‘team spirit’ as promised last week? Was that an actual sulk we saw when Frances decided to take on the bulk of the cold-calling?
How surprised were you to see Samuel go? Lord Sugar called him “an assassin”, which seemed a little strong. Aren’t they all out for themselves?
Why was Karren Brady so contemptuous of Dhillon’s praise of Samuel? He was only being nice.
Can Claude keep saying ‘frolick’?
Can you actually picture any of the nine remaining contestants as the winner of this series?
‘The Apprentice’ continues on Thursday evenings on BBC One at 9pm.
Profession: Owner of a food distribution business
In his own words: “Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit.”
Profession: Owner of a design and marketing business
In her own words: “I’m proof that you can get things done without whinging.”
Profession: Sales manager
In his own words: “My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy.”
Profession: Make-up studio owner
In her own words: “I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million.”
Profession: Owner of a novelty gift company
In his own words: “How would I describe myself in one sentence? I'll give you one word: 'awesome'.”
Profession: Owner of a business consultancy firm
In her own words: “Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win.”
Profession: Online fashion entrepreneur
In her own words: “A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you're already winning.”
Owner: Beachwear company
In his own words: “I won’t suffer fools. I will get upset by other candidates who don’t know their arse from their elbow.”
Profession: Art director at a fashion magazine
In his own words: “Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business. Hence, the mascara comes in handy – so they can see those lashes.”
Profession: Owner of IT consultancy company
In his own words: “If I wanted to be like everyone else, I’d have waxed my monobrow.”
Profession: Senior sales executive
In his own words: “The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt, and I’m the best at adapting. I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.”
Profession: Hair and beauty salon owner
In her own words: “I started at a young age, I'm a hustler, I've got the hustler’s ambition.”
Profession: Owner of a marketing agency
In his own words: “I'll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I'm here to win; I'm not here to make up the numbers.”
Profession: Owner of a property consultancy company
In her own words: “I work 15 to 17 hours every day. 100 per cent, I'm a workaholic.”
Profession: Owner of a children's clothes company
In her own words: “I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness’.”
Profession: Digital marketing manager
In his own words: "I feel sorry for Lord Sugar, past contestants have been weak."
Profession: Cake company owner
In her own words: “I'll stop at nothing to get what I want.”
Profession: Recruiter
In her own words: “My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.”