Thursday 12 June 2008

Sir Alan says it's ok to lie

Did millions of viewers watch Siralan Sugar's Gerald Ratner moment last night? Did we really see Claire's victory tossed carelessly to a proven liar?
Perhaps I'm being over fussy and prissy, but last week when Lee's CV lies were revealed, I thought his firing was a no-brainer. When he escaped I thought Siralan was keeping him on for a spectacular runner-up firing: "What? Hire a liar and put him in charge of important business in my organisation? Never!". He was obviously lining up Claire to slide into pole position.
But no. Suffering from the myopia that saw the Badger relegated to second place (and Claire is after all the Badger Mark II), Siralan has told the world that it's fine to lie, that we all do it, and promptly picked a prime example of the dishonest charmer breed to represent the kind of person he wants in his organisation.
The brazenness of this decision has all the trappings of the insular view that led Ratner to tell the world that his products were "total crap". Now we all know, endorsed by the small man himself, that his staff are untrustworthy. I can see the painful twisting of Margaret's mouth.
Siralan, it was great tv, but you're fired!

9 comments:

Flowerpot said...

I quite agree Mopsa. There has been widespread debate over this as in most people (myself included) have stretched the truth a little on a CV but I've never done that much! I wouldn't have picked him but then I dont have a £1m job up for grabs!

Mopsa said...

I think it's £100k rather than £1m, Fpot. Even so...

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Excellent blog. Makes mine look amaturish but only been going two months. Don't understand most of it including terms. Any help gratefully received.

Lindsay said...

I have enjoyed The Apprentice and had Claire singled out very early on. My son, when about aged 30, was accused of lying about his "O" Levels. The Employer had rung up his old school and found there was a discrepancy. However my son took "O" levels at two different schools. He was confronted by email and not in person - consequently my son felt disinclined to take the job - in fact he ended up with a better one!

Flowerpot said...

I never was any good at maths!!!!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Can't get the programme here - well, not until about 2 years later. I like that - "a Ratner moment".

Hadriana's Treasures said...

I wonder whether Siralan has it in for "Wimmin". I didn't see series 1and 2 but wasn't Siralan let down by Michelle Dewsbery (I think her name is)..who won series 2? The whole Apprentice format is coming under fire as it gives business a bad name! I spent 10 years in "The City" and bowed out because I got tired of the "greed is good" philosophy...I suppose "business is business"...but maybe (at last)things/ethics are changing now?

garfer said...

Siralan has been to the University of Life ain't 'e, wotsit matter wevver Lee did four months or twelve?

It's just book learnin' ain't it?

Mopsa said...

Hi Grumpy Ken - don't worry, you'll work it all out!

Lindsay - I have to say I am surprised (and relieved) that prospective employers DO check - but one hopes they ask the candidate rather than accuse them if they find a discrepancy.

Welshcakes - it's rather entered the lexicon!

Hadriana - As Michelle won over the badger I don't think it is a misogyny thing in general, rather a dislike of a particular type of very overtly able women.

Garfer - hadn't thought of that - highly likely!