Melody Hossaini on Young Apprentice: The final review - Game over!

Eight hard weeks for the young candidates came to an end in this final showdown!

 

Zara Brownless, who has been consistent and capable beyond her years from day one vs James McCullagh, an impressive young man who was warned by Lord Sugar in week one, but has grown considerably during the process.

 

Lord Sugar welcomed past contestants back and assigned the teams as opposed to the playground humiliation of team captains choosing.

 

Everyone was excited to see Mahamed! Sad to see the gold watch had been replaced with a big blue one this time! One of the funniest moments of the entire series was watching him being chased by the big strong man. I genuinely think he was running for his life!

 

Zara's team opted for Piggy Panic (loved the bandage on the pig's leg!). @SarahGV1 tweeted: 'Love Zara's idea! Cute and looks like it could b addictive!'

 

James decided to ignore market research and go with his instinct, and so 'Crazy Cabinet' was born! @rachel7000 tweeted: 'James has to go with puzzle. It's simple and he just can't go with what he likes all the time.' Yes James took a risk, but you have to sometimes and go with a concept you believe in and can sell.

 

@NatashaBurr liked the Crazy cabinet game and tweeted: 'James has seriously stepped it up! Love the prospect of expansion.'

 

Imagine you had two days to create something you have absolutely no experience in, then stand on a stage with leading people in the games industry looking at you, Lord Sugar sitting and taking notes as you speak, and cameras pointing at you. How both James and Zara presented was nothing short of incredible. Not just for a young person; for anyone.

 

A vital part of 'InspirEngage Skills Bootcamps' is communication skills which are essential for anything in life. One of the things that makes a successful presentation is passion and confidence. If you don't believe in what you're saying, no one else will. Both candidates did this very well.

 

In the final boardroom, we found out that Zara would use the £25,000 to expand her business whereas James wanted to fund his education to begin with. Interesting! Makes you wonder what the other candidates would have proposed!

 

Lord Sugar then welcomed criticism of their opponent, and I tweeted: @Melody_Hossaini: 'I wouldn't encourage them to speak about the others weaknesses. Focus on what you bring- not on what others don't.'

 

Whilst on the show, I was shown to speak a lot about my personal achievements (a little cringe at times!), but I would always rather focus on my strengths than other people's weaknesses.

 

Zara was crowned winner of Young Apprentice 2011. A worthy winner who knew what she wanted and went out there and got it. @Lord_Sugar tweeted: 'tough decision but I had to choose'. 

 

I read an article earlier in the year stating that out of The Apprentice, Dragons' Den and Young Apprentice, the programme which the British public were most inspired by to go and start-up a business themselves was Young Apprentice. It's easy to understand why. Incredible young talent, creative minds that know no bound and accomplishments at a young age are all extremely inspiring components of the show.

 

Congratulations to all of the contestants: James McCullagh, Gbemi Okunlola, Elizabeth Magee, Hannah Richards, Haya Al Dlame, Hayley Forrester, Ben Fowler, Harry Hitchens, Harry Maxwell, Lewis Roman and Mahamed Awale

 

Thank you to everyone who joined me for live tweets and read the blogs!