Jonathan Yabut from the Philippines, won the Apprentice Asia title and the job to be Air Asia's founder Tony Fernandes' assistant - (AXN photo)

It was people and communication skills that won Tony Fernandes over in his choosing Jonathan Yabut to be the first Apprentice Asia winner and the job as being his apprentice - (AXN photo) TONY FERNANDES ON BIO

Video Beat - YABUT WINS APPRENTICE ASIA TITLE & JOB

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

People and communication skills won Tony Fernandes over in his choosing Jonathan Yabut to be the first Apprentice Asia winner and the job as being his apprentice - Recommended TV Listings

Thursday, August 01, 2013

PEOPLE SKILLS the DECIDING FACTOR

It was a slam dunk win for Filipino Jonathan Yabut over 25-year-old lawyer Andrea Loh from Singapore. Yubat's victory was somewhat an upset since during the series Loh stepped up and won more competitions than Yabut. Over the eight episode season Loh was a member of six winning teams while losing only twice. Although she was the youngest contestant in the competition she volunteered to be the project manager twice winning once and losing once.

In the team competitions Yabut split 4-4. He only volunteered once to be a project manager and won. Host and future boss Tony Fernandes said during the final board room meeting that he changed his mind as to who he would hire. Since the result was hiring Yabut he was intending to hire Loh going into the final competition.

The two finalists chose for their supporting team a choice of the six previously eliminated contestants. Their hope was to choose team members that would support their effort to win. As it turned out Yabut had better support.

Loh's strength was choosing high ticket items that complimented the tastes of the affairs wealthy VP guests. From the outset of the event you could see the tension on her face. As the show progressed it was evident that she was having a rough time under pressure and suffered a melt down during the auction by forgetting what the auction bids were.

When she opened the auction she couldn't get the attention of the audience as they talked over her. From the start she looked nervous in front of the crowd and her delivery wasn't fluid. When she couldn't remember what the bids were she had to ask her assistant what the amount a bidder called out before continuing was.

It was her poorest performance of the season i.e. wrong time wrong place. Her performance strengths during the season were her assertive nature and being decisive. Those strengths deteriorated when it came down to championship game time.

Yabut was ebullient and comfortable in his delivery of his items for auction. His was confident and exuberant as he effortlessly called out the bids he received in the manner of a real auctioneer. He had the audience in the palm of his hands as they were attentive to everything he said.

His other strength was his excellent communication skills. He worked the crowd before and after the auction by chatting them up further winning them over while displaying a trait Fernandes was looking for, that being a people person as Fernandes claims to be that has good communication skills to communicate with his Air Asia employees. During the semifinal selections for the final two, one of his concerns was that Loh lacked that skill. During the semi-final he told Loh that he wasn't sure that she could be patient with people.

Overall the auction was a success as both teams raised a total of 1.308,900 Malaysian Ringit for the foundation. The challenge was over and it was decision making time for Fernandes.

During the board room meeting Loh was tense, emotional and her eyes were tearing up. Her voice was shaky and emotional when she pleaded her case of why she should be hired and was better than Yabut.

In the process she noted Yabut's communications skills, "He connects well with people, that is his strength."

During the meeting Fernandes stated, "I'm changing my mind as each of you speak."

Yabut took a strong position on teamwork that helped bolster his chances of winning. He believes that challenging a teammate on a task is a waste of time as the team winning is most important. He also was resolute of his opinion of Loh as he explained that her being decisive is in part related to her being dismissive (when challenging her teammates).

Fernandes asked his female advisor Kathleen Tan her opinion of Filipino businessman and she complimented Yabut, "Jonathan brings out the best in people."

After his mind was made up the Air Asia founder then rattled off several compliments to the challengers and hired Yabut.

"The whole of the Philippines should be very proud of you," Fernandes proclaimed. "You make me proud. You are the junior me in the making." Fernandes added.

Given Yabut's powerful performance in the crunch, prime and the winning time final, Fernandes' made the right decision as Yabut proved that he can deliver under pressure utilizing his excellent communication skills. Next!!!

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