Apprentice star Jim Eastwood has used his ”Jedi” powers to encourage budding Angus business bigwigs to maximise their potential.
The Irishman was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm of the county’s fifth and sixth-year business students after giving a motivational talk at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Wednesday.
He said: ”These young people are so bright and sparky and have great ideas and enthusiasm and I always encourage them to hang on to that because sometimes life can challenge your optimism.
”I envy them in some respects and I am excited for them and I hope they make the best of their opportunities and fulfil their potential.
”I gave tips and one of them is extremely important be positive and persistent. Being negative won’t get you anywhere and you have to be persistent because things in life, other people and even yourself will challenge your positivity and you have to be optimistic, look for the best in situations, embrace opportunities and be positive.”
During his time on the Apprentice, he gained the nickname ”Jedi Jim” due to his persuasive abilities and was described by Lord Sugar as ”the greatest salesperson” he had ever had.
Wednesday’s event was organised by Angus Council in partnership with Business Gateway and Jim explained his role in encouraging people to maximise their potential. He also talked to the pupils about his background and early life, why he applied for the show, his many experiences during the Apprentice, what he learned from the programme, and his plans for the future.
He said: ”The Apprentice puts you under a microscope for 13 million people to scrutinise you. I think it taught me some very valuable lessons like an ability to compose myself in pressurised situations and to be more succinct sometimes and more to the point.
”I also realised as well that you have to take a risk and put yourself out there and dare to be different if you want to progress. I think that putting myself out there and going on the Apprentice was a high-risk strategy that certainly paid off.”
Jim was one of the final four contestants in the seventh UK series of the Apprentice, which aired last year on BBC One.