I’ve just managed to watch Episode 2 of UK Apprentice with Alan Bloody Sugar. This episodes challenge was to design, market and sell an app in the mobile market. As an app developer myself it’s nearly impossible not to have opinions on it.
First of all I would like to say I love the Apprentice, I never learn anything from it apart from most of these “great” businesspeople are self-serving arrogant twats, I think I speak for the country when I’m saying that. I don’t know if I am being a dreamer when I believe that you don’t have to be a dick to be a success in business.
I am not at all surprised the apps turned out to be Jamster esque annoying and “funny” sound apps, they were put on the spot to come up with a new idea that can be made in 24 hours, along with the pressure of being on the show and so forth. However 24 hours to make an app may seem tight, but considering what comes out of the game jams I’m not sure if that’s much of an excuse.
My main problem was that this season is meant to be about how you can create your own business without lots of cash or government assistance, and this episode failed. No money was made and lots was spent.
If you are not aware of where money was spent ( they didn’t mention anything ) let me help you out.
1. The app developers, they are not free, you have to pay for the app they create for you.
2. The website coverage, with so many other cr-apps like this most websites would just leave them to die the death they deserve, they obviously can change their minds when a bit of money is involved.
3. The games conference, chances are you will have to pay for sales pitches and for space at a games conference.
All of this cost together and no real talk of future money, they had a little patter about how they could sell more content but doubt anybody would pay for a few more annoying noises or silly accents.
What I would definitely have changed about this episode to make it based on feedback rather than first day downloads. This way they could have covered how hideous the app was, how there are so many other apps like that one and most importantly discussed how they could possibly make money from it.
I will keep watching this season, but it’s just annoying that they are meant to be concentrating on inspiring people to set up and become successful businesses but if they followed the example of this episode they are very unlikely to.
