The Apprentice - Episode Four

Poor Simon Smith had to go - despite being a likeable bloke and stitched up by Claire (who had tried to stitch up Sara the week before, only Sara won handily).

In the end, in my opinion what did Simon in was his indoctrination in the army to follow "the officers". You saw this in the task that Rafe led, where Simon confessed that "it was like the old days" where Rafe was his officer and he was his number two. This indoctrination that he was always to follow orders from "his betters" was his ruin. It meant that when his leadership was challenged, instead of slapping the challenger down, a voice in his head told him that he should be following his challenger's orders. And this is why Sir Alan fired him - he came across as someone programmed to follow rather than lead.

Moral of the story - if you want to be a businessman, don't go into the army. The indoctrination and brainwashing will take away your sense of independence and self-will, and forever make you vulnerable to those who naturally give orders.

If you haven't seen the episode, view it on the BBC IPlayer (link in the sidebar).