Well I did my stint on the panel of judges at the 2nd Apprentice networking challenge on the 16th June and it was the most inspiring and hilarious networking event I’ve ever attended. 42 budding ‘apprentices’ were set a whole bunch of tasks to test body mind and spirit. Teams of six had to scour Tunbridge Wells and return with: Speldhurst sausages, a bottle of Chapel Down wine, a glass of fresh spa water and a team photograph standing next to the Dowding Memorial. They also had to complete two quizzes; one on the history of Tunbridge Wells and a cryptic quiz testing their knowledge of local businesses.

One of the most fascinating parts of the evening was watching team members using their negotiation skills. Each team was given a photograph of a Tag Heuer watch and a little bit of information on the model. They all had a ten minute appointment at the very upmarket Wessex Pawnbroking & Finance in Grosvenor Road, where they had to sell it for the highest possible price. Once in the shop, they were given the actual watch to inspect for a couple of minutes before turning on the charm as if they were a real punter. Having observed all of the negotiations, here are my tips should you ever find yourself having to flog the family jewels to pay the mortgage:

1) If you go in high, stay high. Most teams opened negotiations at around the £1,000 mark. The owner immediately came back with £250, which flummoxed everyone. Pretty much to a man, they all went back with a figure of £400 and from then on in, they were putty in the pawnbroker’s hands.

2) Don’t be afraid to turn on the waterworks. We’re all human and the back story really helped. One team member’s Grandma had ‘bought it for him just before passing away’, another was ‘moving house after going through a marriage break-up’. It seemed that the better the sob story, the easier it was to get a good price.

3) Do your homework. One team had taken their photograph to another jewellery store and had come to the pawnbrokers armed with a written independent valuation! They used this to secure the highest price and eventually won the whole challenge.

After completing all of these tasks, the teams then had to scurry back for one final challenge; to create a strapline and picture/symbol for Tunbridge Wells. With a deadline of just 15 minutes, the results were surprisingly good. One close contender was ‘Aspire to the Spa Life’ with the image of a Royal Crest, but the winner just had the edge:

Well done to all the team members, guest judges Ron Roser (sitting) of Langton Business Services and Steve Fuller of Wessex Pawnbroking and Finance (who left before the photo opportunity), and organisers Sarah Cundle (front) of Horwath Clarke Whitehill and Lucy Hodgson (middle) of Page Personnel (I’m the one at the back who forgot to say ‘cheese’).