In life -- and in The Associate -- every second counts. Last Tuesday, another participant learned that lesson. Truong Doan became the fourth candidate fired from the College of Business and Economics' version of "The Apprentice." Doan was not as prepared as he could have been in those last few seconds before Sunday's presentation, and it cost Team Dynasty one more player.
"Let's put it this way, I know what my weaknesses are now. One of them isn't necessarily presentation, but I think I just wasn't prepared enough," Doan said.
Associate aspirants receive their case studies Wednesday afternoons and have until Sunday to research, speak with clients and meet with companies, put together a presentation, and hopefully have time to practice.
"In general, I think there should be a lot more time," Doan said. "There were other cases where we needed to get in contact with other businesses, with other sources, and we only really have the weekend. And most businesses are closed on Sundays and Saturdays. You only really have Thursday and Friday, when most of us have class." Doan found it difficult to balance The Associate with everything else he does, and also to remain confident and calm before presenting. He admitted being nervous for two of the four case studies in which he participated.
And in those last few seconds before beginning the presentation, Doan recalled the "general feeling of nervousness/excitement throughout the team."
On a lighter side, however, being around Ed Hale, top judge and president for First Mariner Bank, became a little easier for Doan, as well as the other candidates as the competition progressed. Except, that is, when Hale was ready to fire someone, Doan said.
"The waiting of his presence isn't as nerve-wracking, especially if I'm not at the table, but sitting in the board meeting waiting to see who's getting fired, that was pretty nerve-wracking still," he said.
Hale's "out-of-the-box" thinking was something Doan had gained respect for in getting to know the judge. He kept the candidates wondering with his perspective, Doan explained.
"Whenever someone thought they were going to get fired, he fired someone else for a different reason, and for a very good reason," he said. "That really helps me just take a step back and assess the situation."
Though Doan said he knew he would be fired, Hale took a different approach than he had in the past. In the first three meetings, the last person Hale talked to was the person getting fired. This time, however, Doan was the first person Hale addressed at last Tuesday's meeting.
"He changed it up... because he talked to me first, then Reanna [Tarleton], and then Megan [Olmert], but then he said something along the lines of he knows the opinions going around about that and he's not going to do that this time," Doan said.
He was the first candidate to be fired that served as a member of both teams Bank Shot and Dynasty.
Doan, on Bank Shot, could attend the Tuesday night board meetings with a viewpoint of the winning side and know his standpoint for at least another week. When Doan was traded to Dynasty, he had a different taste of the game.
With Bank Shot standing in the winner's circle, Dynasty has suffered through four board meetings waiting to see whom Hale fires. Doan sat on this team twice, the second occasion being his last.
He can again return to Tuesday's meetings, but this time as an audience member. He'll no longer have to be nervous about getting fired.
Like the other candidates, Doan was just happy to be part of the contest.
"A job offer would have been great, but I still went out and did the job search," Doan said. "Working with these associates, they're very strong people and they have great ideas, great minds. They are very, very good at what they do; and not only that, but they really helped me out because I know I need to step up my game a lot."
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