We supported SHL to run a compliant collective consultation process, following the need to...
We saw the teams mixed up this week - Diverse led by Nick, and Infinity by Sophie. Nick took his appointment very seriously and, despite saying he would be listening to everyone’s viewpoint, he quickly disregarded everything anyone had to say, sticking rigidly to his ideas.
The creations
Nick’s Vodify idea - vodka, lime and soda - was a tricky one for the taste team to achieve, what with it being a non-alcoholic beverage. When the whole team tasted it they all found it salty but Nick’s words of encouragement saw them through: “That’ll do”.
Team Infinity didn’t fare any better – their Crafted & Spiced creation resulted in a peppery peach concoction that no one liked the taste of. Not only that, but the branding Amy was so proud of fell flat for the consumers and buyers alike: old fashioned, plain, boring.
The pitches
The pitching was as cringeworthy as ever, although at least Nick didn’t execute his idea of walking on, Theresa May style, to Astronaut In The Ocean.
Despite terrible tasting products, both teams managed to secure some sales. Nick didn’t’ know his audience too well though – talking to Asda about Vodify being a high end product must have cost them sales.
My favourite quotes
Nick explained that he likes to think of creating a drink as “split into thirds: 30% is in the liquid, 30% product and brand, 30% sales and marketing”. Soooo, 90%? And he’s an accountant.
And then there was Navid “I don’t have experience in the non-alcoholic section” and Sophie: “none of us have ever made an alcoholic drink”. Really? None of them have ever made squash? Mixed orange juice with lemonade?
The boardroom
Ultimately Team Diverse’s brand and interactive feature saved them – it looked so much better than the other team’s product, and even Lord Sugar smirked at his split hungover/Vodify-d face. They only secured two orders, but one of those was large enough to give them over 8,000 more sales than Infinity.
Sophie brought Navid and Akshay back to the boardroom, unsurprising after the girls avoided being overtly critical of her, stuck up for each other and placed most of the criticism with the boys. Those girls aren’t silly.
Sophie took the words right out of my mouth when Lord Sugar asked who he should fire – “both”. But it was Navid who got the boot for contributing little for a third week running.
More loss
What I haven’t mentioned yet, is Shama’s abrupt announcement that she’s leaving the show. In what sounded like a heavily scripted speech, Shama explained that “despite all the efforts the whole team has made” she’s decided to step down from the process due to suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Lord Sugar’s sentiment to the rest of the candidates was pretty matter of fact: “Well, that is a shame, but life and business have to carry on”. In real life, no employer would get away with that. Any health issue needs to be taken seriously by employers but particularly a diagnosis that could possibly mean the person is considered disabled under the Equality Act. Was enough done to make reasonable adjustments to enable Shama to overcome the disadvantages her condition placed her at?
We’re not to know what went on behind the scenes, but every employer should ensure it digs deeper when it comes to their employees. Contact the employee’s doctors, arrange an occupational health assessment, connect with specialist support groups and charities.
It’s not a box ticking exercise, it’s about trying to understand what your employee is going through so you can provide the right kind of support to enable them to still do their job. That way, everyone’s a winner.
