"I think street-smarts are more important than book-smarts but luckily I have both." --Kwame Jackson
Kwame was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Charlotte, NC; which he considers home. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Harvard. True to his entrepreneurial training at Harvard and the bounty of opportunities in the late 90's, Kwame was heavily involved in several "dot-com" start-ups during his time in business school. However, his Fortune 500 professional foundation includes sales and marketing roles at Procter & Gamble and, most recently, on Wall Street as an Investment Manager for Goldman Sachs.
What is your definition of "success"?
Success to me is simply being happy with yourself and doing more good than evil along the way. Although we all have various lofty professional and personal goals, in the end, what matters is being pleased with the man in the mirror. When it's all said and done, I would hope that success for me includes a feeling of true self-actualization and fulfillment accompanied by the financial freedom, soundness of body and mind, and personal wisdom to control my daily destiny. If all of this comes along with a "Trumpesque" empire, then so be it!
Who do you admire most (personally and/or professionally)?
On the personal side, I would have to say my Mother, Marilyn, who died of cancer at age 41 when I was 15 years old. My mother started from humble beginnings to go on and become the first person in my family to attend college, as a scholarship student of Howard University. After becoming a CPA, she started her own practice in Charlotte, NC and was a successful business woman and role model for professional/personal determination. I like to think that if my mom could instill all that in me in the limited 15 years of my life that she had to work with, then she did a pretty damn good job of giving me a solid head start! Thanks Mom for showing me the way!
Professionally, I continue to be impressed by the legacy of unparalleled achievementsthat Robert L. Johnson has left in his wake as the first African-American Billionaire, Founder and CEO of Black Entertainment Television, and the first African-American owner of an NBA franchise. Mr. Johnson exemplifies the fruition of the American Dream and a stratospheric target for all those following in his foot steps.
What cartoon character do you most relate to and why?
This is a great question for a former comic book junkie! As a kid, I collected comics and was always fascinated by the X-Men series. The character that captivated me the most and I feel I have the most in common with is Wolverine. Although Wolverine is part and parcel of the X-Men team, he is a loner/free-spirit at heart who doesn't like following orders or conforming to societal norms/expectations. He's tenacious and fierce and is often respected but not always liked. Wolverine is also the comic book world's most resilient survivor. It also doesn't hurt that Wolverine is considered to be one of the coolest of all characters in comic book land!
Kwame seems ok, and I'm still trying to figure out why he was chosen to select the location ...
Anyway, I have always disliked the term "self-actualization" ... sounds like you plug yourself in. Combined with the man in the mirror comment it gives me this visual of Kwame straightening his tie and screaming "I AM the greatest" in the mirror every morning
Kwame is a big fish going to a big pond. So far, he's a survivor and learning the ropes from his previous smaller bit jobs of bigger companies. Kwame will have to find his own niche. Certainly he has the business acumen to make it among his peers. He has the natural abilities to get along in the corporate world and the personalities to find his dream job. I sense that he will be more sucessful as a black entrepreneur and will rival some of the best around him. He just has to find his "actualization" with the right product at the right time at the right marketplace.
He's a natural. When his company goes public one day..... buy the emerging stock. Remember the name is Kwame Jackson, the next business tycoon.
Kwame reminds me of Donald's rise to the corporate world. The difference is that Kwame took a little time in getting his ticket punched from industry to industry. He has acquire a bit of corporate experience to which he will turn that around for himself shortly. Look back at his resume: He didn't put Trump as his mentor but was more impressed by the legacy of unparalleled achievements of Robert L. Johnson as the first African-American Billionaire. That tells me that Kwame will aspire to exceed the Founder and CEO of Black Entertainment Television, and the first African-American owner of an NBA franchise. Perhaps even national politics may be in his future.
This guy is a born leader, and he will make it a better world for many.
Hmmmm. Kwame's great but I really haven't seen anything much from him. He picked a bad location for the lemonade sales, when this was realized, he did not jump in immediately with suggestions for relocation spots. Even Trump said it stunk.
He seems quiet and circumspect and to me comes off somewhat arrogant.
He seems to be somewhat color coded as regards whom he admires. I'm not sure that's a positive.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
oldbutafan said this in post #6 :
Kwame's great but I really haven't seen anything much from him. He picked a bad location for the lemonade sales, when this was realized, he did not jump in immediately with suggestions for relocation spots. Even Trump said it stunk. He seems quiet and circumspect and to me comes off somewhat arrogant. He seems to be somewhat color coded as regards whom he admires. I'm not sure that's a positive.
Try to understand Kwame's strategy. He wants to win and not go against the flow like Sam, maintaining a high profile. It's like a long long race, and Kwame is just going at a steady pace until he breaks at the end towards the finish line. I wouldn't underestimate his natural ability. So far he's holding it tight to his vest.
As to the color code, he comes from a different background and experience. He knows he reached his competitive level and willing now to venture to make his mark in society. No matter what Kwame accomplishes, he also knows that the rest of society will regard him as some black person who has made it. Despite who he partners with, whether he married or in business, those around him first see him as a black before they see his mind and heart. Can he turn that around as a positive to make people admire him? To be seen at the finish line. I would put my money that Kwame is the one that gets multiple job offers at the end of the TV shows from headhunters around the U.S.
Ken NJ said this in post #7 : Try to understand Kwame's strategy. He wants to win and not go against the flow like Sam, maintaining a high profile. It's like a long long race, and Kwame is just going at a steady pace until he breaks at the end towards the finish line. I wouldn't underestimate his natural ability. So far he's holding it tight to his vest.
To me, Kwame's strategy is subtle sabotage ... and I admit he is brilliant at it.
In Epi 1, by all rights Troy should have nominated David and Kwame not Sam. David was useless to the task ... but Kwame chose the location which was VERY important to the success, and so was really more responsible for the loss. Kwame buttered up Troy and undermined Sam and so escaped any blame/nomination ... but Trump knew it.
In Epi 3, Kwame boasted his knowledge of price margins, etc. ... but why didn't he take that task on and save the team ? Because he was first in line to sabotage Sam. Kwame never gave Sam the "underdog" the time of day and outwardly treated him as if he had crossed him off his list of human beings.
Frankly, Kwame is smart enough to have looked down the road, and seen that in an end game, Sam might have been strong competition
As to the color code, he comes from a different background and experience. He knows he reached his competitive level and willing now to venture to make his mark in society. No matter what Kwame accomplishes, he also knows that the rest of society will regard him as some black person who has made it.
"the rest of society" ? Really ? Is that how YOU regard him ?
Despite who he partners with, whether he married or in business, those around him first see him as a black before they see his mind and heart. Can he turn that around as a positive to make people admire him ? To be seen at the finish line.
Wow, Ken. That's a stretch for me. I see his mind but he seems rather devious and heartless ... which is maybe ok for say, a ruthless business person ?
I would put my money that Kwame is the one that gets multiple job offers at the end of the TV shows from headhunters around the U.S.
I'll agree there and especially those with clients requiring hatchetmen.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
<<< To me, Kwame's strategy is subtle sabotage ... and I admit he is brilliant at it.... >>>
OBAF, amazing how none of his team mates has risen to the occassion yet to knock Kwame off. Sam drew the attention and everyone went with the flow. The office warfares are subtlely noticeable as you illustrated in Epi 1 and 3.
<<< "the rest of society" ? Really ? Is that how YOU regard him ? >>>
In the sense that Kwame has went around the track and jumped many hurdles in the qualifying rounds. Everyone now wants to see him compete to see him earn his keeps.
<<< Wow, Ken. That's a stretch for me. I see his mind but he seems rather devious and heartless ... which is maybe ok for say, a ruthless business person ? >>>
The phrase goes: "Nice people finish last." Everyone knows they're in a Trump competition. Typical for some in career advances. Wanna see the stab marks in my back, the cut marks on my knees and the bruise marks on my tuss? The cost for business compassion and playing fair.
<<< I'll agree there and especially those with clients requiring hatchetmen. >>>
Reality: How many workers truely resign willingly? Some leave for advancements. Others reassigned. Some for other reasons. Corporate reorganization has a purpose: To right-size during the office competition to survive. Someone has to deliver the pink-slips. Each episode, the audience yearn to see their favorite hatchman and to hear Trump's favorite line "You're fired!"
Ken NJ said this in post #9 : <<< To me, Kwame's strategy is subtle sabotage ... and I admit he is brilliant at it.... >>>
OBAF, amazing how none of his team mates has risen to the occassion yet to knock Kwame off. Sam drew the attention and everyone went with the flow. The office warfares are subtlely noticeable as you illustrated in Epi 1 and 3.
<<< "the rest of society" ? Really ? Is that how YOU regard him ? >>>
In the sense that Kwame has went around the track and jumped many hurdles in the qualifying rounds. Everyone now wants to see him compete to see him earn his keeps.
<<< Wow, Ken. That's a stretch for me. I see his mind but he seems rather devious and heartless ... which is maybe ok for say, a ruthless business person ? >>>
The phrase goes: "Nice people finish last." Everyone knows they're in a Trump competition. Typical for some in career advances. Wanna see the stab marks in my back, the cut marks on my knees and the bruise marks on my tuss? The cost for business compassion and playing fair.
<<< I'll agree there and especially those with clients requiring hatchetmen. >>>
Reality: How many workers truely resign willingly? Some leave for advancements. Others reassigned. Some for other reasons. Corporate reorganization has a purpose: To right-size during the office competition to survive. Someone has to deliver the pink-slips. Each episode, the audience yearn to see their favorite hatchman and to hear Trump's favorite line "You're fired!"
We deduce what we can from their bios and then what we see is likely how the personalities are viewed by the production crew. When they roll all the tape I believe it's edited to show what stands out as key.
In a way ... these 16 who have been screened and selected by HR from their polished resumes and an initial interview, are now presented to the audience for the job interview aren't they ?
For example Omo stands out as an overt b-word and there IS tape to prove she acted like one. I think we both see her that way ... though we somewhat differ as to whether that is a plus or a minus.
Now to me, Kwame stands out kind of lurking there as a subtle manipulator and back-stabber ... it sounds like to you he stands out as lurking there as a low-key high achiever ? But we BOTH see him lurking
Our views of how these key things transfer to the business environment are possibly due to personal experiences with similar types of hiring situations, employees and/or co-workers ?
Incidentally, it isn't too amazing that we haven't seen the others pick up on Kwame's strategy. Either they are too self involved at this point ... or some HAVE picked up on it and will beat him at his own game ? Maybe Troy ?
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
<<< In a way ... these 16 who have been screened and selected by HR from their polished resumes and an initial interview, are now presented to the audience for the job interview aren't they ? For example Omo stands out as an overt b-word and there IS tape to prove she acted like one. I think we both see her that way ... though we somewhat differ as to whether that is a plus or a minus.>>>
Yes, and any potential job candidate would not show their bad side, only their intellect side in outwitting their competition.
<<< Now to me, Kwame stands out kind of lurking there as a subtle manipulator and back-stabber ... it sounds like to you he stands out as lurking there as a low-key high achiever ? But we BOTH see him lurking >>>
Kwame KNEW all along what he was doing and NOT going to do, unless instructed to do by Sam the project manager. Yesterday in the re-run, Kwame said: "Sam's the project manager and it's time to put up or shut up....let Sam do his thing and I'm just moving." He didn't disagree during execution in the field and just followed orders. And you were right, Kwame also didn't speak up to offer suggestions when things didn't look right either. Some would call that sabotaging; others respecting order taken.
<<< Our views of how these key things transfer to the business environment are possibly due to personal experiences with similar types of hiring situations, employees and/or co-workers ? >>>
Experience is no substitution for book knowledge. As much as some of the candidates have lot's of college education, working up from the trenches and getting their tickets punched add to that experience base for success. New things happen everyday. Those who can best adapt are those who went around the block and can ANTICIPATE what's around the corner before getting knock down again.
<<< Incidentally, it isn't too amazing that we haven't seen the others pick up on Kwame's strategy. Either they are too self involved at this point ... or some HAVE picked up on it and will beat him at his own game ? Maybe Troy ? >>>
Troy said that he feels he's "out in left field and that I'm not safe." He's a astute businessman watching the score "building market share" the traditional things. Don't think he can foresee and can come up with NEW solutions to adapt to the situation. He is a good team player by taking the leg wax. Another do good guy.
Bowie said he's "not used to losing but came away without making the deal on the big Bertha Gulf Club. Bowie is cool though, did you see him on his way out of Trump's meeting and pulling the chair behind from under of Sam as he was getting up and firing Sam's eyeballs? I like to see how much depth Bowie has inside that tummy of his.
Ken NJ said this in post #11 : <<< In a way ... these 16 who have been screened and selected by HR from their polished resumes and an initial interview, are now presented to the audience for the job interview aren't they ? For example Omo stands out as an overt b-word and there IS tape to prove she acted like one. I think we both see her that way ... though we somewhat differ as to whether that is a plus or a minus.>>>
Yes, and any potential job candidate would not show their bad side, only their intellect side in outwitting their competition.
So what the producers do is film it all ... in the suite and in the street ... to give ( us the hypothetical interviewer ) a sense of work ethic, character, esprit de corps etc. True that in real life the person doing the hiring doesn't have this advantage, but instead must rely on their ability to read people to determine if they are a fit. The producers try to build that elusive in real life "read" into it for us.
<<< Now to me, Kwame stands out kind of lurking there as a subtle manipulator and back-stabber ... it sounds like to you he stands out as lurking there as a low-key high achiever ? But we BOTH see him lurking >>>
Kwame KNEW all along what he was doing and NOT going to do, unless instructed to do by Sam the project manager. Yesterday in the re-run, Kwame said: "Sam's the project manager and it's time to put up or shut up....let Sam do his thing and I'm just moving." He didn't disagree during execution in the field and just followed orders. And you were right, Kwame also didn't speak up to offer suggestions when things didn't look right either. Some would call that sabotaging; others respecting order taken.
I call it an absence of team work. Trump is viewing how they perform as individuals ... but on a TEAM. Look at it this way ... Sam was the pilot and was losing altitude. For his team/co-pilots to NOT step in means they were willing to allow the plane to crash to prove the pilot can't fly ? Bad move and Trump knows what they did. The plane crashed ... the men lost ... and I'm not flying with Kwame
<<< Our views of how these key things transfer to the business environment are possibly due to personal experiences with similar types of hiring situations, employees and/or co-workers ? >>>
Experience is no substitution for book knowledge.
And book knowledge is no substitute for experience.
As much as some of the candidates have lot's of college education, working up from the trenches and getting their tickets punched add to that experience base for success. New things happen everyday. Those who can best adapt are those who went around the block and can ANTICIPATE what's around the corner before getting knock down again.
As I said ... book knowledge is no substitute for experience. A formal education is worth zip without application of the knowledge. As I said elsewhere, it's like taking a computer class without owning a computer.
<<< Incidentally, it isn't too amazing that we haven't seen the others pick up on Kwame's strategy. Either they are too self involved at this point ... or some HAVE picked up on it and will beat him at his own game ? Maybe Troy ? >>>
Troy said that he feels he's "out in left field and that I'm not safe." He's a astute businessman watching the score "building market share" the traditional things. Don't think he can foresee and can come up with NEW solutions to adapt to the situation. He is a good team player by taking the leg wax. Another do good guy.
I think you missed the thrust of that, Ken. Troy said he wasn't safe because Sam rightfully should have attributed some responsibility to HIM for the loss because of the gold fiasco. He even told Sam that he had do the right thing. Sam didn't. He played right into Kwame's and Bowie's hands and nominated them because Nick and Troy were nice to him.
Bowie said he's "not used to losing but came away without making the deal on the big Bertha Gulf Club.
Bowie absolutely STUNK at that negotiation. None of them read that seller or the situation right. They really blew it.
Bowie is cool though, did you see him on his way out of Trump's meeting and pulling the chair behind from under of Sam as he was getting up and firing Sam's eyeballs? I like to see how much depth Bowie has inside that tummy of his.
No ... I missed that. Too bad ... sounds funny. When they got back to the suite ... one of the women jumped up and wrapped her legs around Bowie's ... um ... tummy. Could you tell which woman it was ?
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Trump couldn't find it to fire Kwame because he thinks Kwame has lots of potential. Instead, nice guy Bowie took the elevator down to the street this week.
Kwame started with a bonding session with the team, playing the Trump board game. Only thing is Nick didn't like the next game in boosting sales as an borderline ethical issue.
Borderline ethical issue? Either something is truthful or it's not. When you mislead someone into doing something, how is this borderline? It's unethical, and no borderlines about it.
The lie comes into misleading people into thinking he's famous, and allowing someone to continue believing a lie and not telling them the truth is also bad.
They knew the people were believing Kwame was a sports figure. They used that deception to get money. They didn't have to tell people he was a sports figure. They knew the perception of it was still going to get them money, so they continued the lie.
Sorry, but I guess we will have to differ on this one.
01-09-2004 06:25 AM
The office warfares are subtlely noticeable as you illustrated in Epi 1 and 3. 
Everyone knows they're in a Trump competition. Typical for some in career advances. Wanna see the stab marks in my back, the cut marks on my knees and the bruise marks on my tuss? The cost for business compassion and playing fair. 
