It’s safe to say I’ll never be on Celebrity Apprentice. But I’ve watched enough episodes to see a few patterns emerge – patterns I think a celebrity could use to succeed in this game.
So if you are a celebrity who is about to go on Celebrity Apprentice, heed these tips. And if you win, don’t forget about the little guys who helped get you there. wink wink.
Before the Show
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Go through your list of friends and contacts for potential donors. Wealthy, generous friends who have donated to charities in the past are best. Ask them if they would be willing to let you contact them for Celebrity Apprentice.
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Go through your acquintances and second/third degree contacts. Ask your agent or manager for other potential donors. Ask them politely if they would be willing to let you contact them for Celebrity Apprentice.
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Take a project management class or workshop. Learn basic meeting facilitation, team building, and team leadership skills. Such workshops are held everywhere. You could even hire a private tutor if you want.
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Learn how to facilitate brainstorming meetings. If you know graphic designers or creative directors who’ve held such meetings before, ask them for some tips. You can also find plenty of tips online if you don’t know anyone personally. Or you can hire a marketing professional as a private tutor.
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Learn how to handle and manage celebrity personalities. Ask your agent, manager, director, or producer for this advice. Chances are, they do this on a daily basis. Keep an open mind and shut your mouth while you take this advice. You might not like everything you hear, but if you view the subject dispassionately, you will gain great insights.
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Learn about lateral thinking. These are techniques to help expand your creativity. You don’t necessarily need to be the most creative person on the team, but it may help. Everyone handles the creative process differently. You may have one of your own already, so it’s fine to stick with yours, though you may increase your chances if you learn new techniques.
During the Show
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Learn about each person on your team. Get to know their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and how to best manage them. This can take tremendous effort, but hopefully you’ve been able to consult someone on how to manage celebrity personalities. Knowing each person’s strengths and weaknesses will come in handy as the show progresses.
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After you are given an assignment, talk to the corporate sponsor – specifically, the people who will be judging your work. Learn more about their company, the product they want you to promote, and the customers they want you to reach. Ask what they are looking for exactly. If the assignment’s success is based on their judgment and not how much money you raise, it’s important not just to create a great end result, but to create one that at least satisfies what they feel is important.
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If the assignment’s success is based on how much money you can raise, make your product expensive. Charge high prices. This may seem counter-intuitive, but your goal isn’t to sell to the general public; it is to sell to donors with a lot of cash.
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Use the celebrity status and fame of those on your team. It is an important asset. Don’t hide it, flaunt it. At the same time, don’t forget about the corporate sponsor. Make sure you satisfy all the key elements they want you to satisfy.
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If you are the project manager, plan for the possibility of losing, even if you think you have a kick-ass product. Identify two people you may have to bring back to the boardroom with you. This is optional, but you may consider talking to them beforehand, so they are prepared. However, if your team wins, this talk may stir up bad feelings, especially if those two hold grudges. It’s up to you on how you want to handle this.
I’m guessing the chances are low that a celebrity would have the time or desire to do this much preparation. But who knows, maybe one season, we’ll get a really competitive celebrity.
What else do you think celebrities can do to win on Celebrity Apprentice?
