do you have what it takes?

Of the many reality shows that flooded the boob tube, may isang show na ngayon ko lang naa-appreciate. Yong The Apprentice ni Donald Trump. I didn’t really bother na panoorin yon dati but when I had no other choice dahil walang ibang matinong show, ilang episodes din ang nakita ko. That’s when I found it to be quite engaging. Then I started watching the re-runs of several seasons na pinapalabas ng Dubai One Tv.

Nakaka-aliw although sometimes nakaka-irita ang mga bitching, bickering and back-stabbing ng mga contestants. Somehow the show degenerates into the Big Brother mode pag ganito ang pinapakita. To think na well-educated people ang mga contestants with their MBAs or those self-made entrepreneurs who already have successful careers or businesses under their belts. But even their degrees from ivy league schools nor their executive positions can’t contain their sometimes thug-like instincts. Figthing and clawing on each other lalo na pag nasa board room na at ide-deliver na ni Donald yong kanyang famous line na ‘you’re fired’.

But even if the drama is for the show’s ratings lang or yon talaga ang natural nila, it’s one show na may natututunan ako. Magaganda kasi yong mga task na binibigay ni Donald sa mga contestants. It really challenges your managerial and leadership skills. And if you’ll put yourself as one of the contestants, you’ll also see how you’ll fare kung ikaw mismo ang nasa ganong sitwasyon.

How would you run a brand campaign for a luxury car? How would you organize a charity event? How would you sell a sandwich pizza? How would you market at clothing line? Ito yong mga challenges na talagang dapat aware ka sa kung ano ang market trends. Aware ka dapat sa current consumers habits.

Pag nakisali ka sa mga challenges na ito, you’ll realize kung ano na ang level ng intelligence mo, creativity, self-confidence and overall corporate viability. Mare-realize mo na kung ikaw ay magiging applicant ng isang position, ano na ba ang skill set mo that can qualify you to hold that job. Specially if it is an executive post.

This show is another touch of Donald’s genius. Kumikita sya from this show and at the same time nakakapag-evaluate sya ng mga applicants na talagang nagagamit nya sa kanyang business empire. Nai-involve pa nya yong kanyang dalawang anak so it’s free media exposure sa kanilang mag-aama. Not that they need the media exposure. But with the onslaught of Paris’ notoriety on the tri-media, aba dapat lang maging aware din ang mga tao kay Ivanka. Afterall, she’s an heiress far better than Paris.

But bitchy heiresses aside, magandang manood nitong The Apprentice. It’s one reality show that feeds your corporate know-how. Something na pwede mong magamit in your career.