After an emotional reunion with the returning candidates to the loft, the teams quickly re-group and learn the art of selling a "perfect cup of coffee."
Jim tests his fate again as project manager in this week's task involving the new Tassimo Hot Beverage System. Marcela leads Matchstick marking the second time she and Jim have gone head-to-head as project managers.
Jim Bozzini's leadership style: My leadership style is one of hands off management. I like to get my team excited by talking about the possibilities of a project, gauge who is most excited about a particular aspect, and then... Let them go and knock everyone out of the water with their results. Managing driven, dedicated individuals, is obviously the unspoken first step of this process. Of course, if you're not managing these types of individuals, that second step of getting your team excited is that much more critical!
Marcela Valladolid's leadership style: I think I am a quiet leader. I like to lead by example. As much as I like to delegate I also love to work and to work hard. I try to respect everyone's views and opinions. Absolutely nothing you do as a leader will have a bigger impact on teamwork than respect and humility.
Both teams differ on their sales tactics and the winning team wins by a landslide. As the losing team gets ready to visit the conference room, one candidate gets a surprise pep talk that leads to an interesting chain of events.
(New York City, NY) Natural Foods Chef -- I will never ask anyone to do anything that I have not done or am not willing to do. My drive is unstoppable,and I never give up. Good enough is never good enough. 
(St. Petersburg, Fla.) Magazine Publisher-- Always be professional and never be afraid to ask for what you want. 
(Gilbertsville, PA ) Ad Executive -- I am a wealth of creative conceptual thinking... I have the raw materials, now I need a mentor. 
(Tijuana, Mexico) Cooking Instructor -- I am severely passionate about what I do. 
(Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) Recent Law Graduate -- 
(Alexandria, VA ) Marketing Co. Owner -- I like to think that I share Martha’s drive, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. 
(Austin, TX) Attorney-- When it comes to my work product, my Martha quality is perfectionism. 
(Closter, NJ ) Fashion Co. Owner -- I am passionate, driven and will stop at nothing to succeed. --- Howie was fired for dropping the ball, not being on the ball and not being on-air filling the ball.
(Los Angeles, CA) Creative Director -- I do have an almost unnatural skill for organisation. -- Carrie was called out on for "Hide and Seek" as Charles called it. If things had gotten dramatic, Trump would have tossed her for a lack of loyalty... but it never really got that dramatic. (It never does). 
(Washington, DC ) Event Planner -- I’m blunt and I listen. I call things as I see them and I always have facts to back those statements up. -- Sarah was fired for a complete lack of leadership and focus on the task at hand. Silent brainstorming? Come on.
(Maplewood, MO) Internet Co. Owner -- My Martha quality is tenacity combined with 110% effort. 
(Los Angeles, CA) Prosecutor -- When I fulfill my purpose, achieve life balance, make my profession my passion, and make this world a better place, that is when I will be at my most successful. -- Jennifer was fired because she didn't, or couldn't, manage 
(Boston, MA) PR Consultant -- I’m driven and entrepreneurial, I’m willing to take risks, and I’ll readily make investments of time and money in things I believe in. -- 4 strikes, Dawn's out!
(Grosse Pointe, MI ) TV Newscaster -- I'm a perfectionist and a control freak. -- Shawn was fired for 3 simple reasons: 1. she guaranteed a win; 2. she didn't use her 
(Philadelphia, PA ) Interior Designer -- My Martha qualities include creativity, resourcefulness, attention to detail... a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. 
(New York City, NY) Creative Director -- I am not afraid to make mistakes. I fiercely believe in the projects I undertake. I work harder than anyone else in the room.
I think it will be Marcela that ges the pep talk. So this leads to the interesting chain of events. Hmmm? Interesting in that she doesn't fire Marcela OR she does fire Marcela but offers her a different kind of job at MSLO??? Any thoughts???
Posted by: Grace | November 15, 2005 at 04:17 PM
Maybe Marcela will get inspirational help from Juan Valdez or Mrs. Olsen.
Posted by: Tall_Texan | November 15, 2005 at 04:47 PM
Good One.... I forgot about Mrs. Olsen. ROFL. Thanks.
Posted by: Grace | November 15, 2005 at 05:01 PM
Wow, $40K to sell coffee machines. If only those guys under Donald had that kind of budget for their challenges!
My take: That Dawna was one smart cookie. She figured out that they have to get the word out about their one-day sale, which means more manpower, so she subcontracted a marketing firm. Very good move. 2 wins as PM and an invaluable assist (though her teammates secondguessed her move), I think she could go all the way.
Posted by: Anonymous NYer | November 16, 2005 at 11:31 PM
My take on Dawna's move: good idea, poor execution. 1.) she didn't consult with her other team members and 2.) she didn't manage the marketing firm's team.
Jim is the dark horse to go all the way although Marcela acquitted herself nicely in the boardroom.
Posted by: Jack Sprat | November 17, 2005 at 08:32 AM
Well, the preview for the car dealership challenge does not bode well for Jim at all. :-D
I wouldn't say poor execution. Dawna gave her team the right tools to achieve a win, and Jim and Bethanny finally wised up and started doing what they are supposed to do-- Manage the additional manpower (telling them to spread out into the neighborhood and spread the word). The execution would have been smoother had they all been on the same page from the outset, but they were able to overcome the friction and roll to a victory.
Without the additional manpower, Primarius would have performed just as poorly as Matchstick.
Posted by: Anonymous NYer | November 17, 2005 at 02:02 PM
Anon,
That "foreboding" didn't work with the QVC task. Also, Martha chides someone for "not being a thinker". Jim does not have any problems in this regard. He's the only interesting character on the show, so they emphasize him.
I thought his pep talk with Marcela was masterful, albeit probably self-serving.
Dawna should have managed the manpower, since she was directly responsible for them being there. Both teams had good foot traffic, the deciding factor was which team was more focused in their selling.
Posted by: Jack Sprat | November 17, 2005 at 04:18 PM
The editing of the 'next week' has implied Jim's departure for weeks. I'm beginning to think he may go all the way...
Posted by: Thomason | November 17, 2005 at 04:34 PM
I am really starting to like Jim & Bethenny, which is strange, because I really counldn't stand them at first.
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Recaps of Martha's Apprentice here!
Posted by: linda | November 18, 2005 at 01:09 PM
Believe it or not, I like Jim. Sure, he's abrasive and outspoken to no end. BUT, in EVERY SINGLE TASK he works his butt off and NEVER slacks off, regardless of whether he agrees with the plan or not. In this case, action truly speaks louder than words. Despite his boisterous attitude, particularly in the first few episodes, he really has should a lot of integrity and has proven to be a terrific team player. My biggest turnoff is the person who decide to take his ball and go home just because thing are not to his or her liking -- Jim has never come close to doing that.
P.S. I like Marcela too, because I think she is also a hard worker albeit with less skill sets than Jim (plus she's damn cute).
Posted by: Earl | November 21, 2005 at 02:00 AM
I agree with Linda and Earl. I've liked Jim from the beginning. Bethenny gets some props too, because they are both very passionate and hard workers.
That would include Marcella (yes, she is cute), but she doesn't have any managerial or leadership skills. Martha will give her a job, but it won't be the top one.
Posted by: Jack Sprart | November 21, 2005 at 08:41 AM