Business Tips from The Apprentice

Business Tips from The Apprentice

Evenin an industry driven by entrepreneurs and trained marketing professionals,there is always interest in picking up new lessons to apply in business. Suchwas the draw of this years SupplySide East keynote speaker, Bill Rancic, thewinner of the first season of The Apprentice.Sponsored by Celadrin (marketed worldwide by Proprietary Nutritionals) and NaturalProducts Industry INSIDER, the May 5 presentation drewmore than 300 people prior to the opening of the exhibit hall.

Rancic took a light tone to his presentation, drawing in theaudience from the start with the story of his first business venture fleecingold ladies out of their Social Security checks by running a makeshift pancakerestaurant from my grandmothers kitcheninto further lessons aboutbusiness, and then discussion of his time on TheApprentice.

Regarding important business lessons, he noted the first stepis to understand your self worth. Instead of taking a lower paying job just tohave something to do, why not start a business that you can run and make whatyou think you are worth. The next step is take responsibility for your actions.Very few people can admit they made a mistake, but they fixed it and learnedfrom it, he said. That ability generates respect. In addition, it isimportant to start with a good idea, but be willing to ask for help and modifythe plan as necessary to take advantage of new opportunities.

Rancic said he enjoyed his time on TheApprentice, and believes a critical reason he won washaving a strategy in the contest.

Instead of tackling the whole thing, I approached it withsmaller goals, he said. Few people can set and execute a plan, whileremaining agile in the workplace and willing to adapt to changes. He alsonoted in working with Donald Trump, he has further learned the importance oftaking risk. Truly successful people arent afraid to fail, he noted.My parents taught me that it is OK to fail, but not OK to not try new things.If you fail, learn from it and move on.

In addition to his continued contract with Trump, which wasjust picked up for an additional year, Rancic is involved with the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH), helping to raise money to fund at least twofellowships in the area of cancer research annually. There is tremendousenergy and passion to make a difference, he said. Rancic also called himselfa moderate supplement user, using products for recovery and strength to supporthis weekend warrior lifestyle.

Overall, the keynote was well received. We were verypleased with the response to the keynote, said Howard Zhang with PacificRainbow, the exclusive U.S. distributor of Celadrin. Bill Rancic was a greatspeaker with interesting stories to share, and we certainly enjoyed having himat our booth after the keynote.