Reality TV ‘good for business’ say UK bosses

Four out of 10 UK bosses (41%) believe TV shows like The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den are inspiring a new wave of entrepreneurs who think they have what it takes to succeed, according to new research published this week.

But while the survey, commissioned by Bibby Financial Services, shows the majority of owners and managers attribute the trend of increased workplace ambition to business reality TV shows (46%), almost a quarter (24%) claim the format is ‘demeaning business for the sake of entertainment’.

This echoes sentiments expressed by ex-CBI director general Sir Digby Jones, who openly criticised The Apprentice’s upfront approach, saying the show ‘does a great disservice’ to business and that Alan Sugar could be ‘turning young people off’ business because of his confrontational approach.

Good or bad, entrepreneurs widely agree that business reality TV is having an impact on the culture of business in the UK, with just 10% saying such programmes have no effect on the business landscape.

More than a third (36%) of owners and managers believe the shows are creating a culture of ‘armchair entrepreneurs’, by bringing the world of the boardroom to prime time television and making it accessible to new audiences, stimulating a real buzz around business.