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February 04, 2005

The would-be 'Apprentice'

Matt Hines of CNet News.com nicely sums up last night's Microsoft-related development on the the TV show, "The Apprentice": "Microsoft employee Verna Felton swapped Donald Trump's trademark words 'you're fired' for the far less dramatic 'I'm tired.' "

Yes, the Microsoft employee who had been competing to be Trump's "Apprentice" left the popular TV show voluntarily as of last night's episode, disappointing the Microsoft watchers who were following this season with some extra interest because of her involvement. "What do I write about?" asked InsideMicrosoft's Nathan Weinberg in his live episode recap, after Felton quit.

Explained Felton in her interview this morning with the "Today" show's Matt Lauer: "To me business is business and gaming is gaming. There was a lot of gaming going on and that's not quite my style. Between the backstabbing and bickering and fighting for camera time, it just wasn't something I was interested in. "

With that in mind, are there any insights to glean about the Microsoft culture from the nature of Felton's appearance on (and rapid disappearance from) the TV show? What does her decision to quit say about the ability of people from Microsoft to exist and survive in the outside world? As Brian Chin noted in his episode recap this morning: "Must be nice working someplace where they apparently don't have office politics."

Posted by Todd Bishop at February 4, 2005 01:52 PM
Comments

I'm guessing that she had to choose between playing the Apprentice or keeping her job at Microsoft.

Having millions of people looking over your shoulder while you are trying to work your day job can really be distracting.


Posted by: KB at February 4, 2005 03:23 PM

I guess if she is not a gamer and does not like the bikering or backstabing then she must be a secratery with Microsoft with no chance of promotion

Posted by: Thomas at February 4, 2005 03:27 PM

Everyone doesn't want to be an apprentice, YEP, HERE

Posted by: Jim at February 5, 2005 02:20 PM

Additionally, I think anyone that wants to criticize her for leaving the show doesn't have a clue for what she experienced.

The only people that know what the hell they are talking about would be the people she was actually competing with.

And if you sent them back in time 10 years, I don't know what they would actually be: The best Yuppies ever. Or just a bunch of Yuppie-Rejects.

Personally, I think Microsoft is better off having her back in the company.


Posted by: KB at February 6, 2005 01:55 AM

And what does Trump know about people that "can't hack it"? While I don't have the same materialistic tastes as Trump, I can't help but like Trump as a celebrity. But he really doesn't know what he is talking about by criticizing Verna.

Posted by: KB at February 6, 2005 02:00 AM

It's a game show. It is supposed to be high drama. The folks on that show know it, which is why their behavior borders on the ridiculous. Trump would not behave in that manner if this were really a business environment; he would never be able to retain professional managers and performers if he berated them in the show's fashion - even if he paide them ridiculous salaries.

Bottom line - nobody gets hurt, it is entertaining to watch, and Donald is laughing all the way to the bank.

Posted by: M Neveu at February 7, 2005 10:04 AM

Just more proof that Microsoft is even farther removed from working for a real business than competing on "The Apprentice"!

Posted by: Nyxvar at February 7, 2005 04:55 PM
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