SavvySugar

I'm Asking: Who Are Your Finance-Savvy Role Models?

SavvySugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:30:22 -0700

Lately, there's been a whole lotta hoopla surrounding Ivanka Trump - her wedding, for one, her new book, The Trump Card, another. But, it's not just that. I've seen her face cropping up next to finance-related advice columns in Glamour and appearing on daytime talk shows to chat, obviously, about the Donald and The Apprentice, but also to talk shop about her own career successes.

Overall, her rep as a young female business icon seems well-deserved, if not, totally destined. Clearly, Ivanka has learned quite a bit from dad - and she seems to know what she's talking about. So, while I've never been of fan of Mr. Trump, his (more down-to-Earth) daughter seems to have a handle on the business world and a fresh perspective on the economy - when she dishes out advice, it just might be worth taking. What do you think, does Ivanka make for a savvy role model? If not, tell me, who do you look to for business advice?

Celebrity Apprentice: Was the Right Candidate Fired?

SavvySugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:30:32 -0800

The second season of The Celebrity Apprentice kicked off last night with a dramatic bang. There was as much friction on the men's team as the women's team, which made for two hours of arguments and irritated celebrities. Speaking of teams, the team names chosen were almost as random as last season's choices: the women chose Athena as their collective name, which made a little sense, while the men chose Kotu (Kings of the Universe). Moving on.

Donald Trump challenges the teams to bake and sell cupcakes, design a mobile sales center, and go all over NYC selling cupcakes. As with all challenges, the team that makes the most money wins. While Annie Duke and Joan Rivers heat up the kitchen with friction (Joan compares her to Mussolini), Andrew Dice Clay makes it easy for most of his team to want him gone. He whines incessantly from the start, first about the fact that Trump didn't provide any breakfast for them and then about how he "hates" baking cupcakes.

Athena beats Kotu in the first challenge, sending the men to the boardroom. Project manager Herschel Walker brings Andrew and Dennis Rodman back to face the Trumps, and it gets ugly when Herschel calls Andrew a has-been. It seemed that Andrew was the obvious choice for getting fired - aside from the fact that he said he wanted to quit at one point, Herschel raised the most money that day, and Dennis is the biggest celebrity on the show. Do you agree with Trump's decision?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Ivanka Trump Wants You to Save Money on Lunch

SavvySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:00:17 -0700

It's difficult to imagine the always-polished Ivanka Trump packing up leftovers for lunch, but she recently blogged about sympathizing with the monotony of brown-bagging it.

With gas and food prices on the rise, more and more people are skipping the deli line and bringing lunch to work to save money. This is great, but all I hear is how boring a brown bag lunch can get and how people want something different, especially when they are stuck at their desks - something I completely relate to.

Today kicks off an advertising campaign that pairs Ivanka with ConAgra Foods to promote a new line of microwave meals called Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers. Because the meals will last up to a year without refrigeration, the company is targeting busy young office workers that may be looking for an inexpensive and healthy lunchtime solution. If you are in New York or Chicago, samples of the meals will be available today at the Grace Building on 42nd Street in New York, and 1 South Wacker Drive in Chicago.

ConAgra Vice President Michael Locascio explained the company's reasoning for selecting Ivanka as the spokesperson and said, “We wanted somebody who would appeal to a younger office worker who’s technology-savvy.” Do you think she was a smart choice considering the company is trying to promote the lines as budget-friendly?

Lessons Learned From The Celebrity Apprentice

SavvySugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:38:44 -0700

So, now that the first season of The Celebrity Apprentice has come to an end, are you thinking what I'm thinking - will Omarosa make it back next season?! I enjoyed my Thursday night dates with The Donald and his competitive celebrities, and enough viewers tuned in to the first season that the show was already signed for a second one. Of course, I'm already wondering which celebs will make it to the boardroom. During the finale Marilu said she's telling all of her friends they have to be on the show next season - maybe they'll get another Taxi star like Tony Danza!

One off-air concept connected to the show is Trump University on NBC's website, and it discusses the lessons learned from each week's challenges, which can be applied to your own careers. There are several lessons from each episode, so I've selected the best ones from each week.

Episode 1: Think ahead and act early. Even the best idea can't save you if it comes too late.
Episode 2: Don't let your leader smother you. Step out, stand up and fight for the responsibilities that let you shine.
Episode 3: Listening is more powerful than talking. When you open your ears and your mind, you empower yourself to give people what they want. That's a powerful way to build your success.

There are nine more lessons on the list so just read more

Episode 4: Just let it go. Holding grudges hurts your career, not anyone else's. So take a deep breath and move on.
Episode 5: Attacking a colleague's heritage, religion, or race has no place in business. If you break this rule just once, you'll end your career.
Episode 6: Step up and show a strong work ethic every day. Over time, it will protect you from harm and advance your position.
Episode 7: Leaders let people know how their performance will be judged. Clearly stated expectations build your leadership effectiveness and get results.
Episode 8: Keep your professional image spic and span. Any lapse in professionalism can make you vulnerable in times of trouble when people are trying to deflect blame from themselves.
Episode 9: Learn from experience. To become successful in the future, you need to absorb and apply the lessons of the past.
Episode 10: Sooner or later, lying always gets exposed.
Episode 11: Know your track record. Everyone makes mistakes. But don't let one poor performance take you down.
Episode 12: Always have an "elevator speech" ready. It's a short, well-rehearsed explanation of your accomplishments and plans. Write one and practice it - it can be critical to your success.

Photo courtesy of NBC.

The Celebrity Apprentice: Did the Best Man Win?

SavvySugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:26:10 -0700

The first season of The Celebrity Apprentice ended last night with its final boardroom firing and I must say, it was probably my favorite episode of all. Maybe they should consider doing all episodes live because everyone seemed much funnier to me last night, especially Trace. It also could be that high stress levels make him loopy, and I can very much relate to that! Listening to him talk about wheatgrass shots and shortening the Backstreet Boys to "BSB" made me laugh - though not as much as when Trace, Piers, and their celebrity teammates were swaying in a line to the smooth melodies of the BSB.

All of the previously fired celebrities are on set for the live final boardroom scene. Most of them are Trace supporters, though several give Piers credit for being an aggressive businessman that knows how to raise a lot of money. Gene Simmons gives a patriotic-inspired speech via satellite from Japan, and while his vote goes to Trace because of his intangible goodness, he did admit that Piers generally got stronger results.

Piers brought in the most money and the most celebrities, but he also brought the most ruthless game and made the most disrespectful remarks. Trace performed all of the challenges to the best of his ability while maintaining his dignity, and his leadership style made his teammates want to work harder. In the end, it simply came down to the numbers - do you think Donald chose the best celebrity apprentice?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Who Are You Rooting For?

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:50:55 -0700

We knew there would be a high level of intensity in last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice after last week's cliffhanger. The final four are interviewed by Erin Burnett and Jim Cramer and asked about their respective charities, their performance throughout the show, and why the other candidates aren't deserving of the Celebrity Apprentice title.

Even though Erin and Jim both pick Trace and Carol as their favorites, Donald chooses Piers and Trace to go head to head in the final challenge that will be a celebrity auction. He told Carol the only reason she's fired is that he wants to see Piers and Trace "fight it out," because he thinks they don't like each other.

The scene has been set for the final battle: Both men are talking themselves up, in their "war rooms" they're busy trying to get every celebrity they know to show up at the auction, and the promo for next week's episode sets it up as "the arrogant Brit versus the American cowboy." Who are you rooting for to be the first Celebrity Apprentice?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Was the Right Guy Fired?

SavvySugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:52:08 -0700

In last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, the final five were challenged to create a Quizno's flatbread sammie and sell as many as possible in two hours. This challenge differed from the others in that it was all about speed and sales because Donald banned them from calling their contacts this time.

Hydra's sammie concept was "The Champ" named after project manager Lennox Lewis, and Empresario's concept was "The Cowboy Club" named after project manager Trace Adkins. Hydra had an obvious advantage with an extra team member and a more recognizable celebrity to promote their sammie.

In past episodes Donald and Co. have been pretty consistent about firing the project manager, but this time they looked at overall performance and potential to succeed going forward. Stevie B., as he's been known to call himself, was fired even though Trace admitted he'd made all the decisions that day.

Just when I thought we'd see Stephen Baldwin's farewell clip and then call it a night, Donald summons the final four to the boardroom to tell them that two more will be fired before the end of the night!

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Will You Be Singing Hallelujah Without Omarosa?

SavvySugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:01:25 -0800

Donald Trump described last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice as the "biggest slaughter in the history of The Apprentice." Empresario, under the leadership of project manager Omarosa, raised only $7,000 to Hydra's $164,000 in a challenge where the teams had to pick artists and sell their work. This was truly a personal victory for Piers - as project manager of Hydra he claimed that Empresario's failure proved Omarosa isn't a real celebrity because she had no connections to call and buy her art.

Aside from any negative feelings about Omarosa's personality, including this challenge Omarosa lost three times as project manager. With that kind of record, she no longer deserved to be there. While she seemed defeated from the moment she walked into the boardroom last night, she tried to defend herself when she quoted her mother: "I may not be the wealthiest woman inthe room, I may not be the smartest or prettiest, but no one will out work me. And this whole process I've outworked and committed myself."

Donald says that this firing was easy and obvious, because Omarosa's team was so badly creamed. In Omarosa's exit interview, she brought out another quote from her repertoire and left us with this message: "No man is your friend, no man is your foe, but every man is your teacher. Peace!" And then she threw up double peace signs - pure Omarosa-ness.

The promo for next week's episode celebrates that it’s Omarosa-free, complete with the Hallelujah chorus. Will you be singing Hallelujah, too?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Which Topless Ad Was Better?

SavvySugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:07:00 -0800

The teams on The Celebrity Apprentice were challenged last night to create advertisement layouts for Dial Nourishing Yogurt Body Wash, and the winning team's ad would run in Redbook magazine. Hydra decided to reach out to Redbook’s core readership of women between the ages of 30 and 37, while Empresario zoned in on the executive's clue that the magazine's readers are crazy about country music.

It wouldn't be a soap commercial if it didn't show some skin, and members from both teams went for the gusto. Carol Alt was the model for Hydra (covered in sheets, of course) and Trace Adkins posed with his cowboy hat and guitar along with a topless model for Empresario.

The Redbook and Dial executives chose Hydra's layout as the winner. It seems like an obvious choice - similar to ads we've seen before - but the male model biting Carol's shoulder makes it more edgy than your standard soap advertisement. On the other hand, Empresario's ad would get readers' attention with the hot desert scene and country appeal.

Which advertisement do you prefer?

Celebrity Apprentice: Was the Right Candidate Fired?

SavvySugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:02:28 -0800

Last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice was more of the same old, same old: Piers was condescending, Omarosa used "son" at the end of her sentences, Stephen Baldwin was bossy, Lennox seemed a little sedated (still love him though), Carol barely spoke, and Trace was the charming hero.

So what was different about last night's QVC challenge? Well, Marilu seemed a little kooky, no? I know her nerves just got the best of her, but it was strange to see her not in total control - her act is usually so polished and together.

It's true that Hydra lost because of Marilu - not only was she the project manager, but she was also the star of the QVC spot, too. However, Carol worked for QVC and didn't even bring up the important information about easy pay and that really could have helped her team. For one reason or another (friendship? respect?) Marilu didn't bring Carol back to the boardroom to face the Trumps.

So what I want to know is: Should Donald have fired Marilu for being an unsuccessful project manager, or should Lennox have been fired for sleeping and not contributing much to the challenge?

Photos courtesty of NBC